Children's home run by LM Care Homes Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2856479 1 Registered provider: LM Care Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is privately owned and provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home and spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children's home

The home was registered with Ofsted in August 2025. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since the home opened. He is suitably experienced and is working towards his level 5 leadership and management qualification.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2856479 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home and is making good progress from their starting points. The child said they felt safe living in the home and liked staff. Staff place the child at the centre of all decisions made in the home and understand the child's lived experiences. This creates an environment where the child feels safe, secure and able to talk with staff about any worries they may have.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to spend time with their family. Family members are welcomed into the home, and staff offer practical help, such as with transport, when needed. This strengthens the child's relationships with people who are important to them and enables the child to spend more meaningful time with loved ones.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has access to a wide range of activities that reflect their interests. They enjoy outings to the seaside and visits to the local cinema. Staff help to make photo memory books, helping the child to capture and revisit positive experiences. This supports their sense of achievement and wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education needs are well understood by staff, and informal learning is actively supported in the home. When barriers to the child accessing education arise, the manager advocates effectively. They work closely with the child's school and social worker to review the child's education plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise positive routines and promote a healthy lifestyle, including supporting the child to make healthy food choices. They actively encourage the child's independence, encouraging them to help regularly when preparing meals and contributing to daily household tasks. As a result, the child has developed important life skills and confidence.

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

The frequency of the child going missing has reduced significantly since coming to live at the home. When the child is not where they are supposed to be, staff follow agreed plans. They work together to look for the child and work closely with other professionals, such as the police, to ensure the child's safe return.

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

Staff understand the child's known behaviours and associated risks well. The child has been encouraged to share strategies to help staff respond effectively when they are upset or distressed. Physical intervention has been used on one occasion, as a last resort, to ensure safety. The manager ensures that both staff and the child have opportunities to reflect and learn from all incidents.

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

Staff prioritise the child's online safety. There are effective systems in place to ensure that the child does not access or engage in inappropriate online activity. Staff have arranged for the local police community officer to provide direct educational sessions Inspection report for children's home: 2856479 3 around internet safety. As a result, the child has a clearer understanding of online risks and how to keep themselves safe.

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

There are effective safer ‑ recruitment processes in place, which reduce the risk of unsuitable adults working with children. New staff receive a detailed induction, and the manager completes a practical exercise with them to explore the local area. This good practice means staff quickly understand the home's environment and local risks, strengthening their ability to keep the child safe.

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

Staff speak confidently about their safeguarding responsibilities. However, on one occasion, staff did not follow the home's safeguarding procedures, and there was a delay in the immediate reporting of a concern that had the potential to place the child at risk. The manager took prompt and effective action, escalated the concern appropriately and ensured that the concern was fully investigated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is child ‑ focused and is consistently committed to ensuring that the child receives the best possible care. He maintains a clear understanding of the child's needs and priorities. He leads the staff team with a strong emphasis on promoting the child's welfare, safety and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported, valued and listened to in their roles, which contributes to the child's positive experience of living in the home. Staff speak positively about the child and are proud of their achievements. One staff member said, 'We strive for the best, we truly value and care for [name of child].'

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A priority for the manager and staff is understanding the child's needs, wishes and feelings. The manager meets with the child regularly, often taking them out in the community to talk about their experience of living in the home and to check that they feel safe. This ensures that the child feels heard and listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular, effective supervision takes place with staff, enabling them to reflect on their practice and identify areas for development. Monthly team meetings are informative, and the home's therapist attends, supporting staff to embed the home's therapeutic model. This strengthens the consistency of staff practice and supports the child's progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals and family members speak positively about the manager and staff. One family member said, 'The team are really good, it's amazing to see the change in [name of child], there is great communication.' This demonstrates the strong partnership working in place and the consistent care the child receives. Inspection report for children's home: 2856479 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, 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to reporting concerns without delay. 25 March 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: 2856479 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Springfield House, Springfield Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 2RG

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Inspector

Kirsty Truesdale, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2856479 6 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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