Children's home run by Diverse Children Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2839019 1 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Registered provider: Diverse Children Homes Ltd

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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 operated by a private organisation. The home provides care for up to 3 children with social and emotional difficulties. There were 2 children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This was the home’s first inspection since it was registered in June 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since January 2026.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2839019 2 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy warm, trusting relationships with staff, who speak about them with care and genuine interest. These strong relationships help children to feel safe, develop a sense of belonging and make good progress across all areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s engagement in education has improved since moving into the home. One child who was previously not in education now attends school regularly and is showing ambition towards taking their GCSEs. This reflects the positive impact of the support provided by staff and leaders.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Another child who had previously been out of education for a prolonged period had begun to re-engage with school since moving into the home. However, progress has not been sustained, and they have recently disengaged again. Staff are working with relevant professionals to support reintegration, however, boundaries are not consistently applied to promote regular attendance or provide sufficient motivation for the child to return to education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical and emotional health needs are well understood and are met. Staff are proactive advocates for children, working effectively with external professionals to secure the support and services that children require.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff place children’s views, wishes and feelings at the centre of their practice. Children are supported to express their views through regular and meaningful key-work sessions and children’s meetings. As a result, children influence day-to-day decisions, including meal choices and activity planning, which helps them to feel valued and listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported and encouraged to develop independence skills. They take an active role in preparing meals for the household. Children are also supported by staff to engage in a range of activities in the community that reflect their individual interests, which promotes their confidence, social skills and enjoyment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well maintained and suitably equipped to meet children’s needs. Children have access to the resources and belongings that they require. However, one child’s bedroom is not maintained to an appropriate standard of cleanliness. As a result, the child does not consistently enjoy a living space that promotes good hygiene and wellbeing.

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

Children are safeguarded effectively and feel safe living in the home. They say they are well cared for and can identify trusted staff to speak to if they have worries. Children are confident that staff will listen to them and take appropriate action to address any concerns. Inspection report for children’s home: 2839019 3 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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

Staff demonstrate a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures. Although there have been few safeguarding incidents, staff speak confidently about how they would respond to concerns and understand the procedures that are in place to support children. Leaders ensure that safeguarding practice is understood and consistently applied by staff.

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

Physical intervention is not used. Instead, staff rely on strong, trusting relationships with children and a good understanding of their individual needs to de-escalate situations. Staff recognise behaviour as a form of communication and respond in ways that help children feel understood and supported. This approach has significantly reduced the need for any restrictive measures.

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

Incidents in the home occur infrequently. When concerns do arise, staff use therapeutic language to support children and divert their attention from emerging anxieties. There has been a significant reduction in incidents and risk-taking behaviours for children since they moved into the home, reflecting the effectiveness of staff practice.

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

Children do not go missing from home. Staff are vigilant and demonstrate a clear understanding of the risks associated with children being missing. Each child has an individualised risk assessment and staff are confident about what actions to take should a child leave the home without their knowledge.

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

Staff support children to develop strategies to recognise, express and manage their emotions. Children say they feel calmer and more able to talk about their feelings as a result of the care they receive. Staff advocate for children and ensure that they have access to specialist support, such as mental health services, which helps to reduce risks, including those associated with self-harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although there is currently no registered manager in post, senior leaders have acted promptly to recruit a suitably qualified manager. During this period, effective leadership and oversight arrangements have been maintained by an interim manager, and children’s care has not been disrupted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff describe leaders as visible, accessible and supportive, which has been particularly important during this period of transition. Staff report that they feel well supported in their roles and understand their responsibilities in keeping children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders maintain good oversight of staff practice. Incidents are reviewed promptly and records of staff supervision, team meetings and incidents are reflective in nature. This ensures that learning is identified and subsequently used to improve practice that promotes children’s safety and welfare.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision in line with the provider’s policies. Induction arrangements are effective, and newly appointed staff feel well prepared for their roles. Inspection report for children’s home: 2839019 4 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training is relevant to children’s individual needs and staff benefit from the specialist support of a psychotherapist, who joins team meetings and provides advice. As a result, staff are knowledgeable and confident in their work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders understand the importance of effective partnership working. Communication with professionals is timely and constructive, which supports coordinated care. Professionals provide positive feedback about the care children receive and the communication they receive from staff and managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staffing arrangements are well managed. The home is well staffed, and safer recruitment is undertaken promptly when vacancies arise. Inspection report for children’s home: 2839019 5 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff provide children with a nurturing environment that is supportive, and which provides appropriate boundaries in relation to their behaviour. Staff should seek to meet the child’s basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met – doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child and value them as an individual. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)  The registered person should make reasonable efforts to seek children’s permission to enter their rooms and to establish necessary routines to allow for rooms to be cleaned regularly. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.20)

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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: 2839019 6 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Diverse Children Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 413 High Street, London E15 4QZ

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Inspector

Alexia Hosker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2839019 7 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspector

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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