Children's Home run by Leicester City Council in Leicester

Inspection report for children's home: SC039038 1 SC039038 Registered provider: Leicester City 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

This home is owned and managed by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to 7 children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were 6 children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager.

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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 requires improvement to be 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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC039038 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2025 Full Outstanding 19/03/2024 Full Outstanding 30/01/2023 Full Outstanding 28/07/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC039038 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spent time with all the children on this inspection and observed their daily routines.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have limitless opportunities to experience new and exciting activities. Staff overcome any barriers relating to their disability. This has meant that children have been abroad for the first time, and other children are planning to have a similar opportunity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Participation for all children is a strength at this home. Innovative and dynamic planning means that all children can take part in a regular house meeting in their own way. This has meant that all children, including children who use alternative methods of communication, have a voice about important areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When the children’s needs mean that they require a low-stimulus environment, staff have been thoughtful in their planning to ensure that children can be part of their community. Children have been to a quiet library and a quieter theatre performance. Other children who struggle in busier environments have replicated a restaurant meal at home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are in education. Most children are at a school. When children are not in a school, they are provided with education at the home. For other children, their education needs are met through a blended approach of practical-based learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made significant progress with their health and independent living skills. For some children, this has meant they are less reliant on adults for their personal care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is in the process of being improved. At this inspection, this meant some areas of the home were less homely than usual. Some developments have meant that families now have a dedicated room to spend time with their children. Families speak positively about this.

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improvement to be good

Several staff have neglected to inform a manager when they have concerns about the children’s welfare. As a result, safeguarding processes have been delayed, and the essential referrals to the relevant safeguarding agencies have not been made in a timely manner. This has meant that children have not always been safe and protected. However, once the manager became aware of concerns, they referred the matter to relevant safeguarding agencies and have made efforts to improve staff practice.

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improvement to be good

Robust care plans and risk assessments guide and inform staff about the specific vulnerabilities of children and what they must do to keep them safe. When new areas of Inspection report for children's home: SC039038 4 risk are identified, plans and assessments are updated and changed. This means that risks are more likely to be identified and reduced.

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improvement to be good

Staff are appropriately trained in physical intervention, and the home has a designated behaviour support instructor. Staff have used physical interventions at this home. However, they have used their positive relationships with children and try alternative methods of de-escalation before the need for a physical intervention.

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improvement to be good

Children rarely go missing from home. When they have left the home without staff, the staff have followed the correct procedures. Staff relentlessly search for children and liaise with the correct agencies to try and get them home safely. On return, the children are welcomed back, and return home interviews are requested.

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improvement to be good

Medication administration processes are robust. Staff receive detailed training and are observed administering medication before they can take the lead in this process. Staff receive updates through team days. As a result, there have been no medication errors.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership and management of this home are well established. However, the current registered manager is planning to leave, and a new manager has been identified. There is an extensive period to undertake a thorough handover of management arrangements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Internal quality assurance systems have not identified areas that require improvement in the children’s living environment. This has meant that leaders and managers have not always had a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers know their staff team well. They are adept at ensuring that specific staff skills are used for the benefit of the children. Due to risk, one of the children requires a higher level of staff experience, and the right staff, with the right skills, are identified to work with this child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Consultation with others is a strength. Inspectors found several examples where children, families and the staff team are encouraged to provide feedback about the home. Feedback from stakeholders is overwhelmingly positive and commends their commitment to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have well-developed, effective relationships with the other children’s homes and their managers. This has meant that managers can seek guidance and advice when needed, and staff have gained a broader knowledge of children with complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and focused supervision that supports their ongoing development. Alongside this, they complete all mandatory training coupled with any child-specific training as required. This provides the children with responsive and considered care and ensures that children receive individualised care and support to meet their complex needs. Inspection report for children's home: SC039038 5

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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 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

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)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to several staff delaying whistleblowing concerns about a colleague’s care practice. 5 March 2026

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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

promotes their welfare. 5 March 2026 Inspection report for children's home: SC039038 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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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)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to managers not having a robust oversight of the home’s environment.

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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: SC039038 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Leicester City Council, City Hall, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ

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Inspector

Simon Hunter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC039038 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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