Children's home run by Headway Adolescent Resources Limited in Monmouthshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC447768 1 SC447768

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Registered provider: Headway Adolescent Resources Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private organisation. The home is registered to care for 3 children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties or have additional learning needs.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 3 children were living in the home. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since November 2025.

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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

Date of last inspection: 18 February 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC447768 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/02/2025 Full Good 12/03/2024 Full Good 23/01/2023 Full Good 18/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC447768 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children said they like living in this home and they get on well with the team of staff who care for them. They like their bedrooms and have personalised their rooms, so this feels like their own space. The children said they can talk to the team about any worries that they might be experiencing and feel well supported by the staff who care for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made timely progress since moving to this home, and their outcomes have significantly improved. A stable team of staff have continued to care for the children, and the staff know the children well. Children receive strong levels of individualised care, and they respond well to the boundaries that are in place for them. Staff support children to develop positive routines and to make progress with their independence skills. Children are learning to care for themselves, to cook food they like to eat and to do their own laundry. The team teaches children how to use public transport, to do their own shopping and how to safely manage their own budget.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The team supports children to express their views in relation to education, activities and family time. As a result of this, children are much more able to communicate their emotions when they feel upset or worried about something. Children are learning strategies to cope with any difficulties in their life. Staff look out for signs that children might be struggling and offer more support when this is needed. The team members are skilled at using therapeutic approaches to support the children effectively, using playfulness and empathy to ensure children feel heard and understood. This all means that children are growing up in a home where they feel loved and cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The team works well together so it can provide children with consistent levels of care. There is regular communication between the staff and other people who are important to the children. The home has developed strong working relationships with children’s social workers and other professionals. Staff support children to attend meetings that are held about them. The team helps the children to express their views, and they advocate strongly for them when this is needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is welcoming and homely with rooms which are kept clean and tidy. Some areas of the home are being developed, and a new bathroom suite is due to be fitted. Some areas of the home are being redecorated.

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

The managers and staff collaborate well with other professionals to manage any concerns for children’s safety. There have been very few safeguarding incidents in this home, and this is indicative of how well children are being helped and supported.

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

When the team identifies any safeguarding incidents, these are reported promptly to social workers and other key professionals. There is effective communication with social Inspection report for children’s home: SC447768 4 workers and other agencies to help keep children safe. There are strong levels of multi- agency working that ensure other professionals are regularly consulted about safe plans for children. Staff talk to children openly about any worries for their safety and respond sensitively to information that children have shared with them. Staff develop plans together with children and others to keep children safe.

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

When children go missing or are experiencing difficulties in their local community, there is a robust plan in place to ensure children can return home safely. There has only been one missing episode since the last inspection, and this was well managed by the team. When one child was unwell while out with friends, staff developed a robust plan to ensure they returned home safely. This included seeking appropriate medical advice. Reflective conversations took place with the child to help them to learn from their experiences.

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

Physical restraint was used on one occasion to safely guide a child out of the road. This was used for a brief period to ensure the safety of the child and others who were present. After this happened, the staff used therapeutic approaches with beneficial effect to support the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a new manager leading the home, who knows the children very well. The manager has worked in the home for many years and is skilled and knowledgeable. He has high aspirations for the children. He is regularly involved in children’s day-to-day care and advocates strongly for them when this is needed. The manager has shown a strong level of commitment to supporting the children and the staff in this home. The manager has a good understanding of the children’s needs and understands what needs to be in place to support children effectively. He works hard to ensure that highly effective planning minimises any risks to the children. The manager understands what is working well in the home and any areas that are needed for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable team of staff working in the home, and they know the children well. The members of the team commented on how they feel valued and part of a team. They said the manager provides regular training opportunities to them and there are clear prospects for growth and development within their organisation. The team members spoke positively about the training they have been provided to develop their practice in line with children’s specific needs. The manager provides information about current research and practice to the team, promoting awareness of good practice within the team. This supports the team to develop a positive learning culture in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team members have access to good levels of supervision, training and support. Team meetings are held regularly, and this supports staff to develop their practice. The team members have regular input from a clinical psychologist, who attends the team meetings. Safer recruitment practice is in place. Inspection report for children’s home: SC447768 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are provided with a home environment that is in a good state of repair to make it comfortable for children to live in. In particular, the bathrooms and some of the communal areas should be brought up to standard. The ground floor space should be provided with suitable furniture so that it meets the need of children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 7, paragraph 3.7)

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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: SC447768 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Headway Adolescent Resources Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Headway, Malvern View, Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4AD

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Inspector

Sarah Sheffield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC447768 7 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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Inspector

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