Children's Home run by Xclusive Care Homes Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2839287 1 Registered provider: Xclusive Care Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in June 2025 and is operated by a private provider. It offers care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025 and is suitably experienced for the role.

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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: 2839287 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children have moved into the home, and no children have moved out. The inspectors spoke with all 3 children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from thoughtful and carefully planned moves into the home. The manager considers each child’s needs alongside potential risks, ensuring that the decision-making and transition arrangements are thorough. Staff visit children beforehand, providing them with clear information about the home and giving them the children’s guide. Children are also offered opportunities to visit the home and see their bedrooms. This helps reduce any anxieties they may have and supports them in settling into their new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop strong and trusting relationships with staff, who consistently offer encouragement, reassurance and positive affirmations. Children openly express their sense of belonging, with some describing the home as a ‘family’ and staff as being ‘like a mum to me’. Observations of shared laughter and thoughtful gestures, such as children baking the manager a birthday cake, demonstrate genuine connection and mutual respect. These actions clearly reflect the strong, family-oriented relationships that are embedded in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All 3 children are in education and attend school full time. This represents considerable progress, as none of the children were in full-time education before they moved into the home. One child spoke positively about school and their ambition to achieve their GCSEs this year. The manager and staff work effectively with external professionals to help children achieve the best possible educational outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s health needs through careful planning and effective communication with external professionals. They ensure that children attend all routine health appointments and, when required, access specialist services, including counselling. This coordinated, multi-agency approach promotes children’s overall wellbeing and ensures that their holistic needs are met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to develop their life skills in line with their age and abilities. Staff actively prepare them for the next stage of their lives by teaching essential skills, such as cleaning, budgeting and opening a bank account. Children were observed confidently cooking breakfast, preparing noodles for lunch and making a pasta meal for dinner. These practical experiences are invaluable, and they help equip children with the confidence and competence they need for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spend time with their families and with other people who are important to them. Staff actively seek out children’s opinions and encourage them to participate in decisions regarding these arrangements. This helps children stay connected with the people who are significant in their lives. One parent said, ‘The staff really encourage Inspection report for children’s home: 2839287 3 family time. They understand how important it is for [name of child] to maintain family links. They really encourage him to spend time with me, which is so important.’

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

The manager and staff have a clear understanding of the risks faced by children. Effective systems are in place to keep children safe, including detailed behaviour risk management plans. These plans provide staff with practical strategies to minimise potential dangers and protect children. One social worker said that staff strongly advocate for the children, describing how they ‘genuinely care’ about them. Children report feeling safe in the home and have confidence in the staff who care for them.

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

Staff follow each child’s individual missing-from-home protocol effectively. As a result, there has been only one missing-from-home incident, during which the child was quickly located. Staff speak with children about staying safe and help them understand the risks and potential dangers associated with going missing.

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

The use of physical intervention is rare. There has been one incident of physical intervention, which was necessary, used as a last resort and managed appropriately. Following the incident, the child was spoken to and given the opportunity to express how they were feeling.

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

When children harm themselves, staff respond with nurturing care and make timely referrals to specialist agencies for additional support. This creates a safe and non-judgemental environment, showing children that their emotions and behaviours are met with empathy rather than shame or blame. This approach helps children feel understood and supported, demonstrating a strong commitment to their immediate and long-term wellbeing.

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

Safeguarding processes are robust, and when concerns arise, the manager acts promptly, sharing relevant information with external professionals without delay to ensure that children receive immediate protection. However, on one occasion, leaders did not notify Ofsted of a serious incident. This omission reduces the transparency and accountability required to maintain effective regulatory oversight and ensure the highest standards of safeguarding practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is dedicated, aspirational and effective. She has high expectations for the children and ensures that staff have the knowledge and skills they need to provide high-quality, nurturing care. Her leadership enables children to make progress and flourish.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they enjoy working at the home and describe themselves as a ‘family’. They highly value the support they receive from the manager. One staff member said, ‘She goes above and beyond for staff both on and off duty. I can go to her with everything. I Inspection report for children’s home: 2839287 4 100% trust her.’ This positive culture promotes strong, effective working relationships in the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A motivated and skilled staff team supports the children. Staff access a wide range of training and work closely with external professionals, seeking specialist advice and expertise to guide their practice and help them meet each child’s diverse individual needs. The dedication of the staff team and the quality of care they provide are evident in the good progress children make and the positive outcomes they experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions are held monthly, ensuring that staff are well supported in their roles and in their ongoing professional development. In addition, the manager facilitates reflective team meetings, creating further learning opportunities to strengthen and enhance staff practice. For example, during one team meeting, staff explored research on self-harm, including the distinct stages, such as withdrawal, and the barriers children may present as a form of self-protection. This approach helps staff understand the range of emotions children may display and equips them with the tools they need to provide the highest standard of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Overall, managers maintain good monitoring systems. However, delays in reporting a serious incident to the regulator indicate that these systems need to be more robust and effective. The manager has assured inspectors that she will implement immediate measures to prevent such delays from occurring again.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The appointed independent person had previously worked with one of the home’s leaders in a professional capacity, which compromised their independence. This decision breached governance requirements and fell below expected standards of good practice. Leaders have acknowledged this shortfall and assured inspectors that they will appoint a new individual who has no connection to the provider or any member of staff working at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership working with external agencies and parents is positive. Professionals have commended the manager and staff for their effective communication and the quality of care provided to children. One social worker said, ‘The home is focused and child-centred. I could not have asked for a better residential home, and my relationship with the home is strong.’ A parent commented, ‘[Name of child] is happy in this home. He has told me how well he is supported, and he wants to stay here.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2839287 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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all significant incidents are reported to Ofsted within the required statutory timescales. 23 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint, at the registered provider’s expense, a person (“the independent person”) to visit and report on the children’s home carried on by the registered provider.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the registered provider may not appoint the following as an independent person—

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Requirement Due date

a person who has, or has had, a connection with—

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Requirement Due date

which the registered provider considers to give rise to doubts about that person’s impartiality (for the purposes of producing the independent person’s report – see regulation 44).

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must declare any actual or potential conflict of interest (whether of the type mentioned in paragraph 23 March 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2839287 6 (3) or otherwise) to the registered provider without delay and, if reasonably practicable, before conducting a visit to the home.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest in relation to the independent person before or during the independent person visiting the home (see regulation 44),

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Requirement Due date

make arrangements to cancel the visit without delay; and

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Requirement Due date

appoint a different independent person to visit the home. (Regulation 43 (1) (3)(g)(i)(ii)(iii) (6) (7)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure the home’s independent person has no current or previous professional relationship with any of the home’s leaders or staff to maintain objectivity, avoid conflicts of interest, and uphold good governance standards.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that their internal monitoring systems are effective. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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: 2839287 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Xclusive Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hilton Hall, Business Park, Hilton Lane, Essington, Wolverhampton WV11 2BQ

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Inspectors

Jas Nahar, Social Care Inspector Emma Hutton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2839287 8 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

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