Children's Home run by BREAK in Norfolk

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2592750 1 Registered provider: Break Charity

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This charity-run home provides care for up to 2 children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma, along with family and placement breakdowns.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2592750 2

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Findings from the inspection

This inspection took place in response to concerns raised with Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

Although no serious and widespread concerns were identified in this inspection, further improvements are required in how staff assess and manage risk to ensure consistency across the team.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home as leaders and managers felt they were unable to effectively meet the child’s needs. There are no children living at the home. The current staffing capacity is unable to provide stable and consistent care. However, recruitment processes are underway.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have attended multi-agency meetings and work in partnership with professionals to ensure that children’s progress and concerns are communicated promptly. Despite this, relationships with professionals have become fractious and detract from a strong focus on the child’s wellbeing. This has been ongoing since July 2025. However, leaders and managers are taking steps to address this.

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Findings from the inspection

On occasion, the child’s phone has contributed to the child being exposed to risk. The staff have dynamically risk assessed the situation and shared relevant information with partner agencies. The staff felt unsupported by the local authority’s decision regarding the child’s phone, and this contributed to the concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Substance misuse was a known concern. Despite this, staff had not completed training on alcohol and substance misuse to ensure that they have up-to-date knowledge. Conversations were held regularly with the child regarding substance misuse and alcohol use and the effects of these on their health and wellbeing.

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Findings from the inspection

The child was able to partake in a range of activities suitable to their individual interests and provided opportunities to have new experiences, such as going swimming for the first time. The child was able to embrace and share their heritage by cooking food from their ethnicity and sharing it with staff. Since leaving the home, the child has attempted to return to visit.

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Findings from the inspection

The quality of relationships between the child and staff are variable. There have been several changes to the staff team including the use of temporary workers. The inconsistent use of staff has led to staff not always taking appropriate action. The failure to respond effectively to risks could leave children at risk of harm.

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Findings from the inspection

The child often identified preferred members of staff. The records indicate good relationships, with the child regularly commenting that they ‘felt listened to’ and that staff advocated on her behalf. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2592750 3 Staff have received some training to help them develop their understanding and skills. However, staff lacked knowledge regarding the implementation of a deprivation of liberty safeguard ordered by the court to keep the child safe. This contributed to diminished confidence in implementing boundaries relating to this.

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Findings from the inspection

Supervision sessions focused on staff wellbeing, but also discussed the needs of the child and reflection on specific incidents staff have been involved in. However, agency staff do not receive regular supervision and this needs to be addressed to enable a consistent ethos of working.

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Findings from the inspection

Team meetings and therapeutic group supervisions were held regularly, providing dedicated time to reflect and learn from incidents and to understand the child’s presenting behaviours. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2592750 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/07/2025 Full Good 24/04/2024 Full Good 21/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/12/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2592750 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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)) 20 May 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

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)) 20 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2592750 6

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Rachel Watkinson

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Inspector

Naomi Starbuck, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2592750 7 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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