Children's home run by Semi-independent House Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1259551 1 Registered provider: Semi-independent House Limited Assurance inspection

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private organisation runs this home. It provides care for up to 5 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2024

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Inspection date: 24 February 2026

Date of last inspection: 8 December 2025

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Inspection date: 24 February 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 24 February 2026

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: 1259551 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Two children were living at this home at the time of the inspection. No children have moved in or out since the last inspection. The inspector spoke to both children. Children said they feel safe and happy. They identified adults they are close to and would talk to if worried.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff offer individualised care and understand children’s needs. The manager monitors children’s progress through time-specific and measurable goals. Consequently, children make progress and achieve stability in this home. One child has lived at the home for over 3 years, while another has lived at the home for 2 years. Children achieve a sense of security enabling them to flourish in other areas of their development.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spend quality time with the children. Interactions between children and staff are warm. Staff provide the children with varied activities outside of the home and support them to spend time with their friends and families. This helps children to maintain connections with important people, broaden their experiences and socialise in the wider community.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a significant improvement in the assessment process for children intending to move into the home. Managers now consider the needs of the children already living there, review staffing capacity and complete comprehensive assessments of prospective children. As a result, managers have avoided rushing admissions and ensured that decisions are made in the best interests of all children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the children very well and understand how best to support each child. They are attuned to changes in the children’s emotional presentation. For example, staff support one child to manage their emotions associated with moving on, as the child will soon move to supported accommodation. Staff have helped this child to access advocacy support. This supports the child’s wellbeing and enables them to share views about their future.

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Findings from the inspection

Children rarely leave the home without permission. When they do, staff are quick to respond and ensure they return home safely and as soon as possible. However, on one occasion when a child was missing, a second staff member was needed to support the child’s return. Shortfalls in staffing arrangement meant that the second staff member had to take another child with them to collect the child. This interrupted that child’s routine.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff promote good behaviour. They have conversations with children regarding various issues affecting them, such as online safety and socially appropriate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1259551 3 behaviour. This approach helps children develop an understanding of acceptable behaviour and how to keep themselves safe.

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Findings from the inspection

When there are any concerns relating to staff conduct, managers share information with appropriate agencies, such as the local authority designated officer for safeguarding and social workers. Managers complete appropriate internal investigations quickly. The manager seeks to identify any practice concerns and addresses these with staff to improve practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager prioritises staff development. The manager sets development goals for each member of staff, and these are regularly reviewed. Staff are provided with regular supervision and team meetings focused on children’s needs and staff’s personal development. Staff complete the varied training the organisation offers. However, one staff member has passed the required time frame to complete their relevant level 3 qualification. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1259551 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/12/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/10/2024 Full Good 13/02/2024 Full Good 06/12/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1259551 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

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)) 31 March 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home has sufficient staff to meet the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1259551 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Semi-independent House Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 51 Ploverly, Peterborough PE4 6HZ

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Inspector

Priscilla Koroka, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1259551 7 regulates and inspects 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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