Children's home run by Warwickshire County Council

Inspection report for children's home: 2793158 1 Registered provider: Warwickshire County Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority runs this home. It is registered to provide care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

One child has remained living at the home since the last inspection. This child spoke to the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has a registered manager who was away at the time of the inspection. The manager is also responsible for another home with the local authority. An interim manager is currently in place.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2793158 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2793158 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has lived in the home for a significant period, which is a real strength. This demonstrates the home’s commitment to providing stability and enables the child to feel safe and develop a strong sense of belonging. The home is well presented, in good overall condition, and it offers a warm and nurturing environment. Evidence of the child’s interests is visible throughout the home, with photos displayed of the child with staff and family members.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since moving into the home, the child has formed strong and positive relationships with the staff team. Staff understand the child’s complex needs and respond to behaviours using a therapeutic and informed approach. This has contributed to a notable reduction in dysregulation and has created a nurturing atmosphere in which the child feels understood and secure. As a result, the child is increasingly confident in expressing their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, the child’s health needs have affected their engagement in education. Managers have worked proactively with external agencies to identify suitable alternatives. Progress has been made, and the child has chosen a specialist programme that reflects their interests. This has increased the child’s motivation, and they are looking forward to starting their college course soon.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s physical and emotional health needs are being met effectively. All routine health appointments and follow-up actions are completed promptly. Staff and leaders have supported the child to access clinical interventions, which have had a positive impact on their wellbeing since the last inspection. However, there have been delays in accessing a specialist assessment that would benefit the child’s long ‑ term support. Managers are aware of this delay and continue to work with professionals to complete the assessment and ensure that the child receives timely support. This includes updating the pathway plan accordingly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making positive progress in their family time with their parent. Contact has progressed from supervised to unsupervised time in the community, supported by staff and managers. Relationships with former long ‑ term carers, with whom the child shares a close bond, have also been reinstated. This means the child now has a wider network of caring adults who will support them as they prepare for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s achievements are consistently recognised and celebrated. This has motivated them to participate more in social opportunities and in preparation activities for independent living. These experiences have helped the child develop friendships, gain confidence and shape their future aspirations. One person connected to the child said, ‘I got the best message ever. They said they were too busy to talk because they were out with their friends.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

As part of preparation for leaving care, the child is attending a weekly national programme for care leavers, which they thoroughly enjoy. The programme helps build practical skills and confidence for adulthood and supports the child in securing local accommodation before Inspection report for children's home: 2793158 4 turning 18. This will allow the child to remain closely supported by their current carers during this important transition. The child told the inspector that they enjoy attending the programme and feel ready to move into their own home soon.

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

Since the last inspection, incidents and risks involving the child have remained low, with no serious incidents recorded. This demonstrates that managers and staff understand the child’s known vulnerabilities and behaviour patterns well. Comprehensive risk management plans are in place, which clearly outline all identified risks. These are reviewed regularly and updated promptly when needs change.

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

The child now has significantly more free time in the community than when they first arrived, and this is being managed safely. The child told the inspector that they feel safe when out because they can contact staff easily, and staff regularly check in with them. This reflects a balanced approach that enables the child to take age ‑ appropriate risks while developing independence and preparing for adulthood.

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

Digital devices and mobile phones are monitored to ensure content remains safe and age- appropriate. These systems help to minimise exposure to harmful influences and support the child’s safety online.

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

The child has previously received support from external agencies due to past behavioural concerns. Staff and managers have worked collaboratively with these agencies to implement a positive, restorative approach, which was successfully completed. This resulted in the child receiving recognition and certificates, and it supported the repair of important previous relationships. Since moving to this home, no new referrals have been required. The child is now able to regulate their responses more effectively and have their needs understood by staff, reducing the likelihood of behaviour escalating.

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

Safeguarding processes are followed effectively. Since the last inspection, the child made a complaint. This was responded to appropriately, and safeguarding procedures were followed in full. Staff and managers made considerable efforts to repair the relationship with a key member of staff. However, when this was unsuccessful, leaders decided that moving the staff member to another home in the organisation was in the child’s best interests. Managers and staff took time to analyse the reasons for the relationship breakdown and provided appropriate support to the child throughout.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff work closely with other professionals and agencies to ensure the child receives the right support and that their needs are clearly understood. For example, a psychologist provides therapeutic input during monthly team meetings, allowing staff to discuss strategies and care plans. This strengthens staff practice and helps the child feel understood and supported, particularly when staff can anticipate their emotional or behavioural responses. Inspection report for children's home: 2793158 5 Supervision sessions and appraisals take place regularly in line with organisational policy. Managers understand the importance of ensuring that supervision records clearly reflect the impact on the child’s care. However, the recording of these sessions in the home’s electronic system is inconsistent. This means key individuals with legitimate access do not always have sight of the information. Leaders are aware of this shortfall and are taking steps to improve

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

oversight and ensure that records are consistently maintained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The quality assurance processes in the home require strengthening. This is evidenced by the late submission of the quality of care report and issues repeatedly identified in the monthly reports completed by the independent visitor. Leaders acknowledge these weaknesses and recognise the importance of prioritising robust quality assurance systems to ensure effective governance and sustained improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A full and stable staff team is in place. For the most part, staff are safely recruited and have the appropriate skills and qualifications to provide high-quality care. However, gaps in recruitment practice were identified, specifically that checks for new employees do not always include 2 written references, including one from the most recent employer. Managers have recognised this shortfall and are taking steps to ensure that recruitment practice is strengthened and fully compliant.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete mandatory training on joining the organisation, and this is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains up to date. Managers monitor training timelines effectively. In addition, staff have access to specialist, individualised training tailored to the child’s needs. This equips staff with the knowledge and confidence to provide effective support. As a result, the child feels safe, understood and secure in their daily life. Inspection report for children's home: 2793158 6

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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 within the given timescales.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report").

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a) 6 March 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they maintain good employment practice. They must ensure that the recruitment of staff has procedures that safeguard children and minimise potential risk to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) Inspection report for children's home: 2793158 7  The registered person should ensure that where records are kept electronically, this information can be easily accessed by anyone with a legitimate need to view it. This includes supervision records of staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 14.2)  The registered person should ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare

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Recommendations

of the children in the home’s care. In particular, the registered person should ensure that monthly reports are sent to His Majesty’s Chief Inspector in a timely manner and all contents in the report have been reviewed accordingly. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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: 2793158 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Warwickshire County Council, Shire Hall, Warwick CV34 4RL

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Inspector

Gill Rudkin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2793158 9 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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