Children's home run by Homes2Inspire Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1255745 1 Registered provider: Homes2Inspire Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private company that is owned and operated by a national charity. It provides care for up to 5 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 5 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 16 September 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1255745 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/09/2024 Full Outstanding 18/03/2024 Full Outstanding 21/02/2023 Full Outstanding 21/09/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 1255745 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

As part of this inspection, the inspector spoke with all 5 children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children feel exceptionally safe, settled and comfortable in their home. One child said, ‘This is the safest I have ever felt.’ There is a powerful sense of belonging and warmth that underpins daily family life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children actively choose to spend time together in shared communal areas, demonstrating the positive relationships they have formed with each other. Photos of children are displayed throughout the home, celebrating their individuality and reinforcing their sense of identity and belonging. The home is filled with genuine laughter and happiness, creating a nurturing atmosphere in which children thrive and make considerable progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children move on from the home when they are ready for the next stage of their lives. These transitions are carefully planned and carried out sensitively to ensure that children feel secure and confident during this crucial stage of their lives. Staff provide children with a strong sense of long-term belonging. Consequently, children remain valued members of the home even after they have left. Staff advocate to ensure that children have everything they need for their next step.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are welcomed into the home with warmth and care. Managers and staff ensure that children moving to the home are well suited to live alongside others. This careful planning minimises disruption and promotes stability for children moving into the home and those already living there. As a result, children settle quickly and feel comfortable in the home from the outset.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are highly motivated to help children achieve and realise their full potential. The staff and managers are aspirational, and they ensure that children benefit from a wide and enriching range of opportunities. Children receive encouragement and support to try new experiences, enabling them to build confidence. Children actively access clubs and activities that reflect their interests and talents and are meaningfully engaged in the local community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are at the heart of all staff care practice. There is a strong ethos of placing children at the centre of every decision. This is fully embedded in the home. Children are valued, and they are part of a family, which creates a sense of belonging. One child said, ‘This is the most heard I have ever felt.’ A professional for one child said that their child is thriving because of the care provided.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children engage in education and have ambitions for their future. Children’s attendance at school is exceptional. Staff have an exceptional understanding of the vital role education plays in shaping life chances and actively work to ensure that every child Inspection report for children’s home: 1255745 4 can access learning tailored to their individual needs. Staff proactively seek guidance and collaborate with external professionals to remove barriers, ensuring full support for children to achieve their potential. One child, who was not engaging in education when they first arrived at the home, has now taken exams and is attending college. An external professional said that staff are aspirational for the children’s futures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are encouraged to develop their independence skills in line with their age and stage of development. Staff provide tailored guidance that is naturally embedded into everyday life. Through consistent support and encouragement, children acquire essential life skills that prepare them for the next stage of their lives. For example, one child has built the confidence to engage in the local community and is now successfully volunteering, demonstrating growing self-assurance and practical life skills.

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

Staff consistently demonstrate exceptional skill in holding sensitive and meaningful discussions with children. They use highly creative and research-informed approaches to engage children and support their learning and development. This enables children to fully understand important issues and express their views with confidence.

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

Children are actively involved in their care planning. The use of a health and wellbeing model, specific to the home, enables children to reflect on their progress each month. This assists with identifying areas where they may need additional support from staff. This approach empowers children to take pride in their achievements and promotes openness and confidence in accessing further support when required.

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

Children will approach staff if they have harmed themselves, demonstrating trusting and supportive relationships. Staff respond promptly and compassionately. They support children with seeking medical attention if it is required. Children are provided with space to express their thoughts and worries, and staff consider a range of safe strategies to help them manage their emotions. One child has made considerable progress in reducing self-harming behaviours.

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

Incidents of children going missing are rare. When incidents occur, staff take swift and proactive steps to locate them. Staff carry out thorough searches of the local area and contact individuals who may have relevant information. Appropriate external professionals are informed promptly, ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed. Children are supported sensitively and provided with opportunities to discuss their reasons for going missing, helping staff understand and address underlying issues.

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

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of the risks and dangers associated with using the internet and the potential effect it can have on children. Staff skilfully engage children in sensitive, age-appropriate discussions that promote a secure understanding of online safety. Staff consistently revisit online safety themes, embedding them into everyday practice to reinforce learning. Staff support children in developing the skills and confidence needed to keep themselves safe online. Inspection report for children’s home: 1255745 5 Staff consistently use effective de-escalation techniques with children. Physical intervention is not used at the home, and staff are skilled at supporting children in a way that prevents situations from escalating. As a result, safeguarding incidents are rare.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by an aspirational and motivated manager who demonstrates a strong commitment to children’s welfare and staff’s professional development. The manager’s approach fosters a supportive culture in the home. Staff report that they feel well supported and valued. This positive leadership ensures that staff are skilled and knowledgeable in their roles and that children receive consistent and high-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager maintains thorough oversight of the home and demonstrates a consistent commitment to driving forward consistent improvements. Regular audits are carefully carried out and monitored, ensuring ongoing enhancement of care and positive outcomes for children. The manager is innovative in identifying ways to develop the home, ensuring that the quality of care provided to children remains paramount.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff development is a high priority for management. Staff are supported in developing the skills and knowledge they need to provide the best care for children. In addition to mandatory training, staff participate in learning circles, enabling them to reflect on and enhance their approaches. Training is tailored to meet the specific needs of the children in their care, ensuring that staff are confident and highly skilled in supporting each child effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from regular team meetings and supervision sessions, which they report as being highly beneficial. These opportunities allow staff to reflect on their practice, share learning, and consider how to provide high-quality care continuously for children. The consistent focus on professional development helps staff develop confidence in their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers and staff demonstrate a strong commitment to research-informed practice, which is fully embedded in the home. This ensures that care is reflective and consistently responsive to children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff practice is underpinned by clear meaning and purpose. Children are at the heart of all care practice and decision-making. One professional said, ‘It is like a proper home. They give children opportunities, they are nurturing, and they are just brilliant.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 1255745 6

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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: 1255745 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes2Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Black Country House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury B69 2DG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Kathryn Scoltock

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Inspector

Jess Baines, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1255745 8 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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