Children's home run by Duty of Care Limited in County Durham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC476602 1 SC476602

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Registered provider: Duty of Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately operated. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of the visit, with whom the inspector spoke.

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This monitoring visit

At the full inspection on 29 October 2025, inspectors found the home to be inadequate. Failures in safeguarding, leadership and the management of the home affected the safety and wellbeing of children. In response, Ofsted issued compliance notices under Regulation 11 (The positive relationships standard), Regulation 12 (The protection of children standard), and Regulation 13 (The leadership and management standard). Ofsted also raised a further 6 requirements. A restriction of accommodation notice was also issued to prevent the provider admitting children to the home due to the serious concerns found.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was completed on 16 December 2025 to review the actions taken by the provider to meet the steps in the compliance notices. The inspectors found that the steps in the compliance notices had been met. Requirements around fire precautions and privacy and access were also reviewed and were found to be met. The remaining 4 requirements made at the last inspection were not reviewed and were restated.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was to review the progress made since the last visit and assess whether the restriction of accommodation could be lifted. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC476602 2 The child is making progress in education. There is a progressive timetable that is supporting the child to work towards going to school full time. The education plan has been completed with the child, so they are prepared and aware of the incremental changes to their routine.

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This monitoring visit

Reflective practice has improved. Staff reflect in supervisions sessions and handovers as well as with support from an external clinical service. This has helped staff to better understand how their responses to behaviour affect the child. Staff recordings are clear and show their understanding of the child when unwanted behaviour is being displayed. Staff know what the child needs to feel safe and support appropriately when the child is struggling with big feelings. This demonstrates clear progress since the full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

The manager was able to reflect on the admission process for children. Although the home has been restricted in terms of moving children into the home, there is now a system that will help the manager determine if staff can meet the needs of a child being placed in the home, in line with the statement of purpose.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual arrangements have changed since the last visit. A new responsible individual has been recruited and will be soon moving into the role. These new arrangements will provide the manager with more support and capacity to fulfil her managerial role.

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This monitoring visit

A case review was held on 21 January 2026. It was decided that the restriction of accommodation will end on 26 January 2026. The requirements under Regulation 5 and Regulation 14 could not be evidenced due to the restriction and have been restated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC476602 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/10/2025 Full Inadequate 12/11/2024 Full Good 20/10/2023 Full Good 15/08/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC476602 4

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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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)) 18 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation (5)(c)) 18 March 2026

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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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: SC476602 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Duty of Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 13 Front Street, Staindrop, Darlington, County Durham DL2 3LZ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: David Heartfield

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Inspector

Gary Smithson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC476602 6 regulates and inspects 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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