Children's Home run by First 4 Care Limited in Doncaster

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2575463 1 Registered provider: FIRST 4 CARE LIMITED

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned by a private company and can provide care for up to 2 children who have a learning disability.

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Information about this children's home

There are interim management arrangements in place as there is no registered manager in post.

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Information about this children's home

Two children were living at the home and spoken to as part of the inspection.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken following an assurance inspection at another children's home, which identified widespread concerns. The leaders and managers responsible for that home also have responsibility for this home.

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This monitoring visit

No physical interventions have been recorded since the last inspection. However, incident records identified at least one occasion when a physical intervention occurred. This was not recorded accurately and was not identified by managers. Consequently, the effectiveness and impact of the intervention for the child were not evaluated.

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This monitoring visit

Staff use physical guides to support the management of children's behaviour. However, their use is only referred to within incident records and is not clearly or consistently recorded. This limits leaders' and managers' oversight and means they cannot effectively evaluate whether guides are used appropriately or in a way that supports positive outcomes for children.

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This monitoring visit

The quality of written records completed by staff and managers is variable. Some records include language that is threatening and blameful towards children. For example, one record stated that a child would have their headphones removed if Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2575463 2 they did not cooperate. The removal of items in response to behaviour is not recorded or evaluated. This limits leaders' and managers' ability to review whether the practice is fair and proportionate and in children's best interests.

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This monitoring visit

Monitoring and review systems are ineffective. As a result, leaders and managers do not have sufficient oversight to evaluate incidents effectively. Some recent actions have been taken by senior leaders to strengthen management oversight. These changes are not yet embedded or have a consistent impact on practice.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has failed to identify areas of poor practice. There is limited evidence of management oversight. The managers do not challenge staff to ensure that children receive care that is in line with the home's ethos, expectations and their statement of purpose.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have access to training intended to understand and meet the needs of the children. However, leaders and managers were unable to demonstrate that all staff had completed the required training. This had not been identified by the manager. Assurances were provided by leaders and managers that staff had completed the necessary training. However, leaders and managers do not currently have effective systems to review and evidence this or to assure themselves of staff competence.

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This monitoring visit

Children are settled and appear happy in the home. Professionals spoken to confirmed that children are safe and making progress. A family member spoken to expressed confidence that their child is safe. Observations during the inspection showed children had positive relationships with staff who were attentive and responsive to children's needs.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers acknowledged the identified shortfalls. They have produced an action plan and have clear actions to mitigate against the risk of future safeguarding issues. However, these plans are at an early stage and their impact is not yet embedded or measurable.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/07/2025 Full Outstanding 05/02/2025 Full Outstanding 11/10/2023 Full Outstanding 24/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2575463 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the 'Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards. The registered person must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h)) 30 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out— 30 March 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2575463 4 The measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child's behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35 (1)(b) (2) (3)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(viii)(b)(ii))

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Information about this inspection

This visit was undertaken to address specific concerns or allegations received by Ofsted.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2575463 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: FIRST 4 CARE LIMITED

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 16 St. Wilfrid's Road, Doncaster DN4 6AA

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Inspectors

Kate Jackson, Social Care Inspector Mel Turner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2575463 6 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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