Children's Home run by Spark of Genius North East LLP in Stockton-on-Tees

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC477031 1 SC477031

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Registered provider: Spark Of Genius North East Llp

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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 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 5 children resident at the time of this inspection. The inspector spoke with 4 of them.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector(s) 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: SC477031 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

The inspection took place following a whistleblowing complaint received by Ofsted relating to staff conduct.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have warm and trusting relationships with the staff. Staff work hard to get to know and understand the children . They encourage children to express themselves appropriately. This includes children confidently chairing their own meetings and participating in important decisions about their care. Children say that they trust that staff will respond to their wishes and feelings.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager takes all allegations seriously and completes thorough and child focused investigations. She uses regular individual supervision sessions and team meetings to share learning from those investigations with staff, and to support reflective discussion. This encourages a learning culture and helps to improve staff practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff help children to develop a greater awareness of risk and to start to take responsibility for their own safety. This includes supporting children to reflect on and learn from unsafe decisions. There has been a reduction in incidents of children being missing from home and the risk of exploitation for children has reduced. This demonstrates that children are becoming safer over time.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s education is a priority. All children are attending education and making progress. One child who was out of education, now attends full time.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a warm and welcoming home, personalised with photos of them making memories. However, some staff restrict children using the kitchen at set times. This prevents children from having access to all areas of their home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC477031 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/08/2025 Full Good 16/04/2024 Full Good 06/06/2023 Full Good 08/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC477031 4

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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, 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 prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure.

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(Regulation 35 (1)(3)(vii))

This requirement is restated as was not considered at this inspection 15 April 2026

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(Regulation 35 (1)(3)(vii))

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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(Regulation 35 (1)(3)(vii))

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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(Regulation 35 (1)(3)(vii))

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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(Regulation 21(b)(c)(i)(ii))

15 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC477031 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Spark of Genius North East Llp

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Dunedin House, Columbia Drive, Thornaby, Stockton-On-Tees TS17 6BJ

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Inspector

Lisa Gordon, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC477031 6 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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