Children's home run by Brighter Horizon Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2840202 1 Registered provider: Brighter Horizon Homes Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to 2 children with learning disabilities and social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted on 11 August 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there was one child living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2840202 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise meeting the child’s individual needs effectively, ensuring that they receive consistent care and support. The child benefits from warm, nurturing relationships with staff who actively support them to develop self-care and independence skills. The child follows a settled daily routine and has made significant progress from their starting points, particularly in relation to personal hygiene and education. Staff help the child to strengthen their social and emotional development and support them to manage trips in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a welcoming, homely environment, and it is maintained to a high standard. Staff take great care in the presentation of the children’s bedrooms, which they help them to decorate in line with their wishes and interests. The child’s bedroom reflects their interests in trains and aeroplanes, which includes creative displays and models influenced by visits to an airport and train stations. This personalisation helps the child to feel valued and supports their sense of identity and belonging. The staff and registered manager take pride in the organisation and presentation of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and managers promote an open and transparent culture. Staff regularly seek feedback from parents and meet with professionals to review care plans and ensure that children receive appropriate care and therapeutic support. Professionals provide positive feedback about the quality of care and the effectiveness of communication with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager works with the professional network and parents to create positive family time opportunities. The child’s parents value the proximity of the home, which enables regular visits. Staff also support family time with people who are important to the child so that they can maintain meaningful relationships with people who understand their identity and cultural background.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child said that they like living in the home, feel safe and are enjoying activities such as going for walks, travelling on trains and seeing their family. However, the child does not fully understand how to make a complaint.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s views about their care are actively sought and sensitively incorporated into risk assessments, care plans and key-work sessions. However, there is no separate record available when the child raises a concern about aspects of their care, for example their unhappiness about their bedtime or the rate of pocket money they receive.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff meet the child’s health needs well, ensuring that they are registered with a GP and dentist. The child receives necessary treatment, and staff administer medication safely and effectively. Two trained staff oversee medication administration, and staff accurately record and count returned medication to the pharmacy when required. Inspection report for children's home: 2840202 3 When the child first moved into the home, significant incidents occurred that required police attendance at the home and in the community. At that time, staff’s skills and confidence were not sufficiently developed to support the child effectively with boundaries and help them to manage their emotions and feelings. Staff are aware of what to do when a child goes missing from the home, and a grab pack is available. Specific details about the child’s learning needs are not recorded in detail to assist professionals in their responses should the child go missing from home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

More recently, incidents have reduced because the registered manager has taken robust action to develop staff’s knowledge and skills. This has significantly improved staff confidence. Staff plan community activities more effectively and anticipate risks, resulting in a sustained period without further incidents. Targeted training has increased staff confidence and equipped them to engage sensitively and use effective techniques to manage the child’s emotions well.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The local authority designated officer speaks positively about communication from the home. The registered manager seeks professional advice when required.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff promote education and advocate effectively for the child. Although the child does not yet have a secure school placement, staff meet their educational needs through alternative provision. The child now enjoys and is motivated to attend their education time and is progressing positively.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff use social stories, visual prompts and reward charts to help the child’s communication and understanding of daily routines. For example, these are used for breakfast, education, activities and mealtime routines. These tools help staff recognise and respond effectively to the child’s wishes and feelings. Staff maintain a calm and settled environment by providing consistent boundaries, routines and repetition. Staff plan activities that reflect the child’s interests, including visits to airports, train stations and attendance at a youth club.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager demonstrates passion and commitment and leads a nurturing, skilled staff team. Together, they meet the needs of the child effectively, recognising and responding well to their additional care and learning needs. The registered manager is ambitious, drives continuous improvement and provides a child-centred approach to the home environment. Staff feel supported in their roles and enjoy working in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders, managers and staff speak confidently about the home and are knowledgeable about the child’s needs, wishes and care. They act professionally and show sensitivity to the impact of trauma on children’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders appropriately provide training for staff relating to understanding extremism and prejudice. This enables staff to undertake key-work sessions with children that reduce the risks of exploitation and grooming. Inspection report for children's home: 2840202 4 Supervision takes place regularly and supports staff to reflect on practice, maintain training compliance and consider and respond to the child’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Records are well maintained and child focused, consistently reflecting the child’s wishes and feelings. Key-work sessions help the child understand their emotions and social cues and prepare for moving on from the home.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children's home: 2840202 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brighter Horizon Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: International House, 109-111 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8JA

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Inspector

Naintara Khosla, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2840202 6 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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