Children's Home run by Courtyard Care Limited in Walsall

Inspection report for children’s home: 2716724 1 Registered provider: Courtyard Care Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to 6 children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 6 children were living in the home. They were all observed as part of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager went on maternity leave in December 2025; an interim manager has been appointed and started in the role on 09 February 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

Ofsted was made aware that a serious child protection allegation was being investigated by the appropriate authorities. The inspector has considered the allegation during this inspection.

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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: 2716724 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2025 Full Good 21/02/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2716724 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children moving into the home experience a warm and nurturing welcome. Moves are planned effectively, ensuring that staff understand their needs prior to them moving into the home. Children already living in the home are supported to understand and prepare for new arrivals using social stories. This proactive approach reduces anxiety, promotes acceptance, and helps establish positive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A committed and supportive staff team provide a nurturing approach to help children make meaningful progress across all areas of their lives. Staff know the children well and take pride in their achievements. As a result, children have developed better communication, independence and social skills, and have formed trusting relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide ongoing support to ensure that children participant in education that meets their individual needs. They work proactively to ensure learning remains purposeful. When children are waiting for formal education, interim arrangements are effective to ensure they receive structured, personalised tutoring within the home. This sustains children’s learning, supports ongoing progress, and reduces disruption to their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use a range of communication systems, including picture exchanges, Makaton, communication boards and close observations of children’s body language and expressions. Staff receive training in helping children to confidently express their wishes, feelings and preferences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain and celebrate their cultural identity. Staff work with families to understand and respect each child’s heritage and individual needs; this supports children to develop a strong sense of belonging. Furthermore, inclusive activities help children learn more about other cultures and come together to celebrate special events.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with the people who are important to them. They approach this work sensitively, ensuring that time spent with significant people is safe, well planned and centred on each child’s needs. Staff help children to understand their feelings and experiences regarding their heritage. As a result, children feel valued and remain connected to those who matter most to them.

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

When serious safeguarding incidents occur within the home, managers act promptly and appropriately to protect children from harm. They take immediate steps to assess risk, implement safety measures, and ensure that staff have clear guidance. Managers demonstrate a strong oversight and make careful decisions that prioritise children’s Inspection report for children’s home: 2716724 4 welfare. Their actions help to reduce further incidents and promote a safe and stable environment for children.

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

Physical interventions are managed well. Established procedures and processes are followed reliably, ensuring that physical interventions remain appropriate, proportionate, and firmly focused on the child’s safety and wellbeing. Management oversight is consistent and support safe practice. Reflective discussions enable staff to consider the effectiveness and necessity of any intervention to keep children safe.

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

When medication errors occur, they are identified promptly. There is clear managerial oversight when investigations are completed, this as led to staff receiving supervision or support improvements in their practice. Furthermore, all staff receive targeted training to ensure they follow correct procedures for administering medication. This demonstrates effective management oversight and contribute to improving practice.

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

Complaints are managed well. There is an effective process in place to ensure that concerns are addressed promptly and fairly. Managers maintain open communication throughout investigations, ensuring individuals feel listened to and that their concern is taken seriously. Managers have a transparent approach to investigations and any learning identified is acted upon. This approach helps strengthen trust and making improvements to the home.

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

Children live in a safe environment. Staff complete thorough and regular health and safety checks to ensure that the home remains hazard-free and is well maintained. Children have personalised emergency evacuation plans that identifies what support they need in the event of an emergency. This proactive approach ensures that children are protected and staff are confident in managing emergency situations effectively.

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

Safer recruitment processes are in place and are consistently applied. All required checks are completed before staff begin work, ensuring only the most suitable individuals are employed. This helps maintain a safer environment and reflects a strong commitment to safeguarding.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An interim manager is now in post; she is supported by two experienced and competent deputy managers who know the home and the children well. Although there were delays in appointing a new manager, leaders put effective arrangements in place, including increasing the senior leadership oversight, to ensure continuity to maintain good-quality care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and are well attended, ensuring that staff remain informed, and able to contribute to the running of the home. Meetings are purposeful, that support continuous improvement to help maintain a consistent approach to practice. Staff are given time to reflect on their practice, and the progress of children. These Inspection report for children’s home: 2716724 5 sessions are interactive and foster a strong culture of collaboration, that enables staff to learn from each other and develop their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems are well established and effective. Leaders and managers undertake regular reviews of practice, and children’s experiences, using a range of monitoring tools to ensure that standards are maintained. These review systems are used to identify strengths and areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervisions take place regularly. These provides staff with meaningful opportunities to reflect on their practice, discuss challenges and receive clear guidance. These sessions support staff to maintain a consistent child-centred approach, while also promoting their professional confidence and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from partner agencies and families is positive and reflects the good relationships staff have built. They work well with families and professionals to resolve concerns or issues. This approach supports ongoing trust and collaborative working.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have recently developed and implemented an action plan to address ongoing challenges in staff recruitment and retention. Since the previous inspection, there has been a significant reliance on agency staff. Both internal staff and external professionals have expressed concerns that this reliance has, at times, affected the consistency and quality of care provided to children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2716724 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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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 home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should have a plan to reduce the high turnover of agency staff within the home. 6 May 2026

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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: 2716724 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Siskin Drive, Middlemarch Business Park, Coventry CV3 4FJ

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Leanne Wilcox-Webster

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Inspector

Kate Savage, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2716724 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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Inspector

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