Children's home run by DOONAMIS LIMITED

Inspection report for children’s home: 2838082 1 Registered provider: Doonamis Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to 2 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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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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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in July 2025.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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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: 2838082 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have lived at the home since it opened. One child who moved in was subject to a deprivation of liberty order. Some progress was made before the registered manager decided to end the placement for everyone’s safety. Following this, the placing authority applied to the court for a secure order for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child remains living at the home and has made good progress from their starting point. The child was supported in moving to the home in a planned way with a good transition plan in place. Thorough information gathering was carried out before the child moved in. The child participated in the inspection and provided positive feedback.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are strong advocates for children’s education, training and employment. Both children were struggling with education attendance for several reasons. Staff encouraged one child to pursue their interests in animal care, and they quickly made college applications when they moved into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff team quickly learns about children’s health needs. For children with specific health needs, staff take a highly sensitive approach and work closely with healthcare professionals. Children are helped to understand what medication they are taking and why.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child spends time with their family, and a strong working relationship has been established between the registered manager, staff and the child’s family. Staff strive to make families feel welcome at the home and involve parents in decision-making. Children have friends visit them at the home, and appropriate checks are carried out to ensure everyone’s safety. Information-sharing with professionals ensures that children are safeguarded.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are fully consulted about all aspects of their care. Many documents are written in the child’s voice, and their wishes and feelings are acted on. Individual work is planned, and staff carry out sessions with each child. For one child, a strong focus on increasing independence has enabled them to progress travelling confidently on public transport.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from the home’s small, nurturing environment. It has a homely atmosphere and a well-manicured garden. Any damage to the home is quickly repaired.

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

Staff de-escalate incidents by using appropriate strategies, clear boundaries, reassurance and allowing children time and space to settle. Good-quality behaviour support plans identify known triggers in different situations and environments. Inspection report for children’s home: 2838082 3 Staff understand children’s risks and manage these well. For children who are new to the home, leaders and managers seek to understand what is happening and why, applying sensitivity alongside calm risk management.

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

Managers and staff have a comprehensive understanding of each child’s needs, behaviours, risks and vulnerabilities. Regular review and revision of children’s plans ensures that they are up to date and remain relevant. Many documents are written to children and reflect information obtained from placing authorities.

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

Staff acknowledge when children have made positive choices. They use various rewards, which helps children build self-esteem and confidence. On the rare occasions consequences are used, they are well considered. This means that children are encouraged to learn from mistakes and make better choices.

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

Safer recruitment records are poorly organised. It is unclear whether one reference has been verified, and a query regarding a staff member’s employment dates is not recorded as being addressed.

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

There have been some physical interventions since the home opened. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of de-escalation, and they use trauma-informed responses to children who may be distressed. An allegation regarding the use of physical intervention was followed up with the local authority designed officer; however, this was not reported to Ofsted. This does not allow Ofsted to have full oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is working towards a level 5 qualification. The manager’s experience, skills and confidence are developing with the support of the responsible individual, who recently returned to the organisation after a period of maternity leave. The director is also readily available to assist and advise.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The dedicated staff team provides consistent care for the children. There is no use of agency staff. A competent deputy manager provides effective support to the manager and staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff demonstrate a deep resilience regardless of how challenging situations or circumstances are. The staff team demonstrates commitment. Staff know the children well, and positive working relationships between the staff are evident. The manager and other senior staff members foster a culture of high aspiration and positivity, which empowers staff to navigate through challenging times.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A creative rota has been implemented to ensure that staff have sufficient time for rest in between working hours. Two teams of staff work over the week to ensure consistency for the children and to reduce the number of handovers required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A written complaint from one child was responded to by the registered manager in a warm and empathic manner with clear resolutions to ensure that the child felt heard. Inspection report for children’s home: 2838082 4 Several staff members hold level 3 and level 5 qualifications, and new staff members are enrolled once their probation period is successful. Staff receive good-quality comprehensive training. They benefit from core training modules delivered both online and face to face. Additional training modules, such as behaviour that challenges, psychological first aid and positive reinforcement, are offered. However, specific training linked to children’s needs is not always evidenced on the training matrix. Inspection report for children’s home: 2838082 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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 25 February 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. This specifically relates to ensuring that records relating to training and safer recruitment are well organised. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2838082 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 117 Kingfisher Close, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea SS3 9YB

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Inspector

Emily Stevens, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2838082 7 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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