Three Gables

Inspection report for children’s home: SC065553 1 SC065553 Registered provider: Derbyshire County Council 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 local authority. It provides care for up to 4 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living at the home. All children were spoken to during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since July 2012.

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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: SC065553 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/08/2024 Full Good 16/05/2023 Full Good 12/01/2023 Full Inadequate 25/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC065553 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment requires further development and attention. Several areas of the home need redecoration to maintain a warm and nurturing environment for children. Delays in the installation of new fire doors have resulted in planned redecoration work being postponed. This has led to some parts of the home appearing worn and in need of refreshment. Management remains proactive in escalating outstanding repairs with the local authority to ensure that progress is made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively support children in preparing for the next stage of their lives. Staff have developed an engaging resource to help children understand and learn about their future pathways, incorporating different levels and incentives to maintain their motivation. This innovative approach encourages children to think positively about their next steps and promotes meaningful engagement in planning for their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to have open and meaningful discussions with staff about the things that matter to them. Staff hold sensitive and thoughtful conversations with children, helping them understand their feelings and empowering them to keep themselves safe. Children will approach staff when they require support, showcasing the relationships they have built.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take time to build trusting relationships with children. They demonstrate a strong understanding of each child and speak about them with genuine pride and respect. These relationships help children feel safe. It also strengthens children’s self ‑ esteem and confidence, supporting their emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into the home, there are well-planned and carefully managed transitions to ensure that the process is as smooth as possible and that they feel supported in settling quickly. When children move on from the home, they receive thoughtful and tailored support to ensure that they are prepared and confident for the next stage of their lives. One child who recently left the home said it was their ‘safe space’ and told the inspectors that they would not be the person they are today without the support they received from the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals and family members feel that staff communicate effectively and advocate well for the children. Despite the complex needs of the children in the home, professionals feel that children are making good progress.

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

When children experience difficulties getting along with one another, staff provide calm and consistent support to help them live harmoniously. Staff take time to speak with each child about their actions and explore how these may affect others. Staff approach these conversations with empathy and understanding to help children feel heard and Inspection report for children’s home: SC065553 4 safe. There is strong communication with the wider team around each child to ensure that they receive consistent and coordinated support. Management undertakes detailed reflections with professionals and staff to consider how to best meet each child’s needs and promote positive relationships in the home.

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

Physical interventions have been used appropriately and only for the minimum length of time necessary. Following any incidents involving physical intervention, children are spoken with to understand how the experience made them feel and to identify any further support they may need. All incidents are reviewed by the registered manager and by an independent trainer where appropriate.

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

When safeguarding incidents occur, staff respond promptly and appropriately to support children in the moment. Children are offered space and time to reflect, helping them explore how they were feeling and what contributed to the incident. Management oversight is thorough, providing detailed analysis of how staff managed the situation while also considering the wider context and what the child may have been experiencing at the time. This reflective oversight is used proactively to identify how to best support each child in the future and to guide staff practice.

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

Consequences are natural and restorative in nature, helping children understand the impact of their actions. Staff speak with children about any consequence applied and provide space for reflection and discussion. Each consequence is reviewed by management to ensure that it is appropriate and proportionate.

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

Risk assessments outline the known risks for each child and provide guidance on the actions staff should take to support them during challenging moments. Child-friendly versions are composed directly with children, ensuring that their voices are central in identifying what helps them feel safe and supported during incidents. These plans are updated as needed, ensuring that they remain relevant and responsive to each child’s evolving needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Management has a clear and insightful understanding of staff’s needs, taking proactive steps to identify where additional training or professional development would be beneficial. Development plans for the home are purposeful and well structured, providing a strong framework for ongoing improvement. Staff benefit from consistent and visible support from senior leaders, which reinforces a culture of learning and growth.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers demonstrate confident and effective oversight of the home. They set high expectations for children and staff, creating an environment where ambition and progress are encouraged. Their understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development is thorough, and when change is required, they put in place targeted, well ‑ organised plans. These actions lead to improved practice and strengthen the overall quality of care children receive. Inspection report for children’s home: SC065553 5 The quality of care review does not currently include feedback from children about the care they receive. There are also limited actions arising from the completion of these reports to drive improvements in the ongoing care provided to children. This is an area that requires further development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report feeling well supported by management and feel that their voices are heard and valued. Supervision sessions take place regularly, and staff benefit from the guidance, reflection and oversight these sessions provide. Team meetings are considered helpful, with detailed discussions about children that help staff reflect on their practice and consider how care can be improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive all mandatory training, including safeguarding. In addition, management proactively identifies and sources further learning opportunities that align with the individual and emerging needs of the children living in the home. This ensures that staff develop the specialist knowledge and skills required to provide informed and effective care. Inspection report for children’s home: SC065553 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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 the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that the home is maintained to a standard that supports the children living there and that any repairs are addressed in a timely manner. The registered person should also ensure that recommendations following fire risk assessments are responded to within appropriate timescales and without delay. 20 April 2026

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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; 10 April 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC065553 7 the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and 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; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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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) (3) (4)(a)(b) (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: SC065553 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Derbyshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Offices, Matlock DE4 3AG

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Inspectors

Jess Baines, Social Care Inspector Louisa West, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC065553 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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