Children's home run by Hebron House Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2794752 1 Registered provider: Hebron House Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home is registered to provide care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or special educational needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living in the home.

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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: 21 January 2025

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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: 2794752 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/01/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2794752 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are 2 children currently living in the home, and 3 children have moved on since the last inspection. When children leave, they do so with positive endings. When children leave sooner than expected, decisions are based on their best interests and in collaboration with partner agencies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a warm, comfortable home with photos of the children on display. Children can personalise their bedrooms and they are encouraged to contribute to the design of the home. One child helped staff to build the garden shed. This promotes children’s sense of ownership and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have strong and trusting relationships with staff. Children enjoy spending time with staff and have opportunities to enjoy activities such as bowling, swimming and boxing. This gives children a sense of achievement and provides opportunities for them to develop friendships in the local community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have access to games consoles, which are closely monitored by staff who ensure the children’s safety.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to access education. When children are not attending school, their learning is supported by staff and tutors. This gives children structure and routine in preparation for a return to school. The manager escalates any concerns about children’s access to education with partner agencies to minimise the time children are out of education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s time with family is a priority for staff. Children’s family members speak positively about how staff communicate with them. Family members are supported by staff to understand children’s care plans and be a part of their child’s lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are understood, and they are supported to attend health appointments. Children have nutritious diets and they are encouraged to try different cuisines. Children contribute to meal planning and cooking, which improves their independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s emotional wellbeing is a key focus. The provider has commissioned a psychologist who has helped staff to better understand trauma-informed practice, which means staff are able to develop strategies that meet children’s individual needs.

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

Children’s risk assessments outline the current risks for each child. Assessments are reviewed following incidents to evaluate what has occurred and why. Staff have a Inspection report for children’s home: 2794752 4 thorough understanding of the policies used by the home to protect children, and they act appropriately when children are at risk.

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

Children’s behaviour support plans detail de-escalation techniques developed with children. Staff understand children’s behaviours and are familiar with strategies to support children when they are dysregulated. Physical intervention is only used when necessary and as a last resort. Children benefit from positive reinforcement and restorative approaches, which means they learn from incidents that occur.

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

Children benefit from meaningful key-work sessions, which include topics such as sexual health, substance misuse and safe relationships. Staff are confident in addressing sensitive issues while promoting children’s social and emotional development.

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

When children go missing, staff respond effectively as they know children’s missing protocols and seek to ensure children’s safe return. When children return home, they have the opportunity to talk about their experiences with an independent person.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager leads an experienced team with a strong focus on staff development, including relevant qualifications and training bespoke to children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have a wide range of skills and experiences, and rotas are formulated to ensure that less-experienced staff work alongside those with more experience. Staff say morale is high, which has contributed to no reliance on agency staff and children receiving consistent care from adults who know them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from partner agencies is positive. Both youth justice and social care professionals commented on the effectiveness of communication from staff and managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place every month and are well attended. The manager ensures that agendas focus on key areas of children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive monthly supervision. However, these are not always reflective. Annual appraisals are completed, but feedback from children and external professionals has not always been gathered to support this process. The manager recognises that this is an area for development and improvements to develop this practice are underway.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that regular visits are completed by an independent visitor. The provider has reviewed the independent visitor and made changes to ensure that visits and reports are rigorous.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team completes a review of the quality of care, but this does not always contain feedback from children, social workers, parents or staff. This is another missed opportunity to consider practice from the perspective of all stakeholders. Inspection report for children’s home: 2794752 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, 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

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that the review of the quality of care includes the views of children, social workers and family members to help identify the strengths and any areas for improvement. 20 June 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that annual appraisals for staff take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5). Inspection report for children’s home: 2794752 6  The registered person should ensure that all staff, including the manager, receive reflective supervision from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2).

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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: 2794752 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hebron House Limited.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Brewers Hill Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 1AA

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Inspectors

Ruth Mortimer-Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2794752 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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