Children's home run by HMO NE Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2771500 1 Registered provider: ForeverCare

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Inspection date: 3 March 2026

Date of last inspection: 28 October 2025

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Inspection date: 3 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 3 March 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 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: 2771500 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

Since the last inspection, there have been changes to the management of the home. A new manager has been in post since October 2025 and has submitted their application to register with Ofsted. A deputy manager recently started to work at the home. Increased oversight from managers has improved staff practice and recording.

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Findings from the inspection

The child has developed positive relationships with some staff. Weekly planners are used to identify positive activities for the child to take part in. However, the child often chooses not to spend time with staff, preferring to spend time outside of the home with friends. Staff regularly check on the child when they are out of the home to ensure that they are safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff promote educational activities for the child. However, the child does not have access to any formal education, training or employment. Staff talk to the child about their aspirations for the future and seek to support the child to identify opportunities of interest.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff understand the child’s health needs. Staff encourage the child to attend routine and specialist health appointments. Advice is sought from health professionals to ensure that the child’s health needs are responded to appropriately.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff regularly talk to the child about important matters. Conversations are planned in response to the child’s known risks and vulnerabilities. However, opportunities to talk to the child about issues that are affecting them are missed. For example, when unsafe items are removed from the child’s bedroom, staff do not always talk to the child about why they were removed, and why they are unsafe. Records do not clearly demonstrate that the child is asked for their permission, or that they are informed of room searches taking place.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff respond promptly when the child is missing from home. Safeguarding professionals are informed and staff make efforts to locate the child. The child is welcomed home by staff and return home interviews are offered to explore reasons for the child going missing.

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Findings from the inspection

Team meetings take place regularly and are well attended. Managers provide staff with direction about how the child needs to be supported. An external professional has attended the home and provided guidance to staff about therapeutic approaches to support the child. However, not all staff have completed training to meet the child’s specific needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Regular, reflective supervision takes place and there is a focus on staff wellbeing and development. The homes workforce development plan has been updated and Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2771500 3 includes the necessary information about the experience and qualifications of staff currently working in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2771500 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/10/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/09/2025 Full Inadequate 14/01/2025 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2771500 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 enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

develop the child’s interests and hobbies;

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Requirement Due date

participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preferences; and

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Requirement Due date

make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child’s interests and hobbies. (Regulation 9 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 April 2026

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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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 30 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2771500 6 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of 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)(a)(b) (2)(c)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all staff have the skills and knowledge to meet the specific needs of children in their care.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children receive direct work, targeted to their specific needs, to help them understand risks and how to keep themselves safe. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7)  The registered person should ensure that room search records clearly demonstrate whether the child has been asked for their permission, or informed that a room search has taken place. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.20) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2771500 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hallgate House, 9 Grange Terrace, Sunderland SR2 7DF

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Inspector

Anna Belshaw, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2771500 8 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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