Children's home run by Sphere Care Solutions

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 1 Registered provider: Sphere Care Solutions

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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 registered to provide care to one child who may experience social or emotional challenges.

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Information about this children’s home

There were no children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There is no registered manager in place. An interim manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of the monitoring visit was to review the actions taken by the provider to meet the compliance notices served on 19 December 2025. The notices were served under Regulation 12, the protection of children standard; and Regulation 13, the leadership and management standard.

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This monitoring visit

There has been no child living in the home since the full inspection. During this period, the manager has not spent time in the home and has instead prioritised overseeing the provider’s unregistered home. As a result, managerial oversight of this home has not been effective.

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This monitoring visit

The systems in place are not sufficient to ensure that the manager maintains oversight of the quality of care. The quality-of-care review has not been completed since the home was registered, which limits opportunities for effective monitoring, evaluation and learning from practice. Leaders and managers have not demonstrated a clear understanding of the children’s homes regulations or the social care common inspection framework.

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This monitoring visit

Sufficient action has not been taken to ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge required to undertake meaningful direct work with children. Although the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 2 manager has discussed the importance of direct work during staff supervision, staff do not consistently understand the difference between direct work and gathering children’s wishes and feelings. In addition, managers have not provided staff with the resources needed to support them in completing purposeful and effective direct work with children.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have delivered a general training workshop for staff. However, it is unclear what discussions, or learning took place during this session. Staff have not completed all required training, including mandatory safeguarding training, which was already overdue at the last full inspection in December. As a result, insufficient action has been taken to ensure that staff have the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to manage risk and safeguard children effectively.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has shared examples of both good and poor recording for staff to refer to, and these appear to have been used within the staff training workshop. However, it is unclear what discussions took place around these examples or how staff were supported to reflect on and improve their practice.

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This monitoring visit

Staff were provided with an example of a missing-from-home report, but again there is no evidence of meaningful discussion or evaluation of this, nor of any resulting impact on practice. There is no evidence that staff have been supported to understand children’s individual missing-from-home plans, to follow these plans consistently, or to take appropriate action when they become aware that a child may be at risk of going missing.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has completed supervisions with the staff team since the full inspection. However, the discussions held during these sessions have not resulted in clear, actionable steps for staff to improve their practice.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have made some attempts to address shortfalls in staff practice, and several staff members are now subject to professional improvement plans. However, these plans are not individualised, with some documents containing the names of different staff members, which undermines their purpose and effectiveness.

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This monitoring visit

The manager does not have a clear oversight or understanding of the staff team’s professional development needs. Staff probation reviews have not all been completed in line with company policy, as the manager reported being unaware of which staff were on probation. In addition, the performance development plan for a new member of staff contains no clear targets or actions. As a result, staff are not receiving the level of support required to improve their practice.

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This monitoring visit

Following this monitoring visit, a case review was held on 6 February 2026 where it was agreed that sufficient action has not been taken to meet the compliance notices. Further compliance notices have been issued. Other requirements made at the last inspection were not considered as part of the monitoring visit and have therefore been restated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2025 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) 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(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

*The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff have the skills, knowledge and understanding of how to engage children in meaningful work to meet needs and reduce risks.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff have the appropriate training, skills and experience to understand their roles and responsibilities to safeguard children. 1 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 5 Ensure that staff have the training, knowledge and skills to complete and maintain full and accurate records.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff understand what action they should take when a child goes missing.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff understand and recognise the risks for children being missing.

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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 work as a team where appropriate;

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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

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to 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

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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 1 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 6 feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received;

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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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that arrangements are in place to ensure that there is a manager in place to oversee the home at all times.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that action is taken to identify and address shortfalls in staff practice.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff have the training, skills and knowledge to care for and safeguard children.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff receive regular supervision and that development needs for staff are identified and addressed.

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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 name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and 1 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 7 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 spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all records for behaviour management have all required documentation. The manager’s evaluation must consider staff practice and whether the situation was managed appropriately.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI, at HMCI’s request, a statement containing a summary of any complaints made during the preceding twelve months and the action that was taken in response to each complaint. (Regulation 39 (1) (3) (5))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that details of any complaints to the home are fully recorded and include action taken and outcomes of the complaint. 1 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; 1 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 8 there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all allegations, police involvement and/or serious incidents are reported to the regulator.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children not attending education have a regular routine and education timetable, and are consistently supported to complete educational activities while not in school. 1 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; 1 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 9 use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(vi)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children who have a plan for semi-independent living are fully supported in developing their independent living skills.

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Requirement Due date

The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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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

develop the child’s interests and hobbies;

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Requirement Due date

participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preferences; and

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Requirement Due date

make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child’s interests and hobbies. (Regulation 9 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children are provided with opportunities to take part in planned activities outside of 1 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 10 the home. Also ensure that children are supported to explore their individual hobbies and interests.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that each child feels valued by staff. 1 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that photographic identification is in-date and valid, and that all gaps in employment are fully explored. Additionally, when necessary, that an overseas certificate of criminal history is provided prior to employment. 1 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; 1 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 11 are kept up to date; and

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children’s files are kept up to date and all key documents are available. Documents and forms recorded by the home must be fully completed at the relevant time and must include staff signatures.

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the dates of children’s admission and discharge from the home are clearly recorded. 1 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that there is clear evaluation of the quality of care provided to children in the reporting period. There should be clear reflection about whether systems in place are working well, and actions to improve practice as needed. 1 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 12 *These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home maintains a clean and well- kept environment which supports children’s physical, mental and emotional health. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3)

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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: 2817946 13

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sphere Care Solutions

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 152a Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BB

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Olugbenga Odebunmi

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Inspector

Aislinn Cooper, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Michelle McGrath, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2817946 14 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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