Children's home run by Homes2Inspire Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1254308 1 Registered provider: Homes2Inspire Limited

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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 run by a private company that is owned and operated by a national charity. It provides care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2019.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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Outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected

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Outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

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Outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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Outstanding

Date of last inspection: 26 February 2025

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Outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1254308 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/02/2025 Full Outstanding 28/11/2023 Full Good 09/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1254308 3

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outstanding

Children live in a home which is full of laughter and fun. One child said: ‘The adults are my family. We are not related, but it feels like a family should feel.’

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outstanding

The relationships that children form with the adults are fundamental to promoting children’s progress and development. Staff are skilled at creating positive relationships quickly. A social worker said that their child is thriving.

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outstanding

The initial planning for new children coming to live at the home plays an important role in ensuring children’s positive experiences. These steps empower children to feel positive about the move. The social worker for a child who recently moved to the home said: ‘They are amazing. [Name of child] has settled quickly. They are fantastic.’

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outstanding

The adults are committed to ensuring that children who leave the home to move to semi-independence are well prepared and supported. Planning for children’s moves is undertaken well in advance of a child’s move. The manager works with a wide range of professionals to ensure that suitable plans are agreed upon and put in place. Staff continue to support children after they move out.

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outstanding

All children are in education and have excellent attendance. Bespoke educational plans meet children’s individual educational needs. Adults are aspirational for children and encourage children’s learning in the home and at school or college. The adults are proactive and collaborate with education providers to ensure that children are enabled to learn and progress. The routines in the home support children’s educational engagement. One schoolteacher said: ‘Communication is excellent; we work to the same goals.’ A college teacher said: ‘I have only positive feedback to share regarding this home.’

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outstanding

Adults support, encourage and take part in a wide range of children’s activities. Children have fun and experience themed Christmas and birthday parties, holidays and a vast array of activities in the community. They contribute to charitable events and are active members of the community. One adult said: ‘This is an incredible place to work. Everyone is like one big family.’

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outstanding

Adults work consistently with children to support them to build practical skills and emotional resilience to prepare them for independence. This work is effective in enabling children to manage potential challenges.

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outstanding

The home is decorated to a good standard and is comfortable and homely. Inspection report for children’s home: 1254308 4

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

Exceptional safeguarding practice is embedded throughout care practice. Adults care for children who have complex and diverse needs. Safeguarding concerns for children reduce over time. When incidents do occur, adults persevere in working with children through challenging times and ensure that children feel supported and valued.

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

When safeguarding incidents occur, they are met with a rigorous safeguarding response. The registered manager ensures that professionals are held accountable and contribute fully to multi-agency safeguarding plans.

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

Staff have a thorough understanding of each child’s risks and strategies to support them. Records document a comprehensive risk assessment and subsequent plans. Adults consult with children about their risk management plans and talk to them about risks, encouraging them to learn and reflect. Consequently, the number of incidents has significantly reduced.

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

The effective management of children’s behaviour is a strength of this home. Consequences are rarely used. There has been one incident when a child was briefly held to keep them safe. The strategy was used as a last resort and is in line with policies and procedures. The child was given a high level of support after the incident.

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

The registered manager takes a very robust approach to managing incidents of children who go missing from the home. Adults are persistent and tenacious to locate any missing child. Clear protocols provide guidance to adults, police and safeguarding workers on strategies to minimise risks. Incidents of children going missing from the home have significantly reduced.

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

Children have not complained about care practice and there have been no allegations against staff since the last inspection. Staff have excellent safeguarding knowledge, including whistleblowing procedures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Effective leadership is at the heart of ensuring that children develop and make progress. The management team is approachable, visible and active. Managers lead by example. One member of staff said: ‘I have amazing managers who go above and beyond for all the adults and the children. I am honoured to be a part of their team.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is a tenacious and highly skilled care practitioner. A local authority commissioning officer said: ‘We have worked together for a long time and feel that they are an excellent provider. The registered manager is very strong in advocating for her children; she is not shy in raising views.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 1254308 5 The registered manager is supported by an experienced deputy manager and senior team. They work together to maintain high expectations for the children, ensuring that they receive a good education and support in achieving their personal goals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Adults work cohesively and have a shared vision about caring for children. The team is stable and has remained consistent, with minimal changes since the last inspection. This has provided stability for children, which enables them to feel safe, secure and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Adults receive high-quality, regular supervision. Supervision sessions have a strong focus on children and reflection and detail clear targets and actions. Annual appraisals ensure a further review of adult competence and development. All adults said they feel fully supported by the management team and enjoy their work in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Adults benefit from a stimulating programme of ongoing training and development to enhance their skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager said: ‘The team is like a family unit that meets the needs of each child. We want children to know that we are not their family, but we are a family. We ensure that they have the same opportunities as other children. They are told they are loved every day, even when the children are angry with us. This is a home for the children and adults.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager promotes a culture of continuous improvement and a commitment to high standards. She has an exceptional knowledge of the home’s strengths and areas for development. She strives to continually improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were set at this inspection.

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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: 1254308 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes2Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Black Country House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury B69 2DG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Craig Whitchurch

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Rebecca Margetts-Parkin

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Inspector

Amanda Ellis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1254308 7 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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