Children's home run by Inspire Connected Communities Trust

Inspection report for children’s home: 2833472 1 Registered provider: Inspire Connected Communities Trust Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2025. It provides short breaks for up to 4 children with learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was having a short break at the home.

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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: 2833472 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector was able to spend some time with the child staying at the home. There was a warm and friendly atmosphere, with fun and laughter shared between the child and the staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience predictable routines and structure, as well as kindness and playfulness from staff. Children are encouraged to express their views and actively participate in decisions about their short breaks at the home. The staff help children develop their interests, and achievements are celebrated. This helps provide consistent supportive nurturing care for the children during their stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to participate in various enjoyable activities. This includes taking age-appropriate and well-managed risks. Staff confidently support children in accessing community facilities and having new experiences. This helps them progress in all areas of development, boosts their self-confidence in their abilities and enhances their life skills both at the home and out in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a wide variety of opportunities to express their views, wishes and feelings using different communication methods. These are captured, for example, using social stories, Makaton, individual communication tablets and verbally. An independent advocate regularly consults with children to gather their feelings and views. Staff have a detailed understanding of each child’s expressions and methods of communication. They involve children in all aspects of the home and always act on what they say. This supports the positive wraparound care for children during their stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff aspire for the children and provide support to help them develop appropriate life skills that will prepare them for adulthood. They clearly understand of the nature and extent of the children’s disabilities, which enables them to set goals that are both realistic and appropriately supportive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a proactive multi-agency network, with professionals and families maintaining regular communication and visits to the home. This includes ‘My Stay’ plans, which are sent to families and professionals following meetings and after each short break. This ensures that children’s care remains consistently informed and responsive, fostering their emotional development and overall progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a calm, quiet and nurturing environment where children enjoy space and time for reflection. Children’s rooms and spaces are individually prepared before their stay with items that are meaningful to them. This helps children settle. Inspection report for children’s home: 2833472 3

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

Children’s individual risk assessment and care plans are thorough and updated regularly. The plans provide clear and concise information for staff. Each child also has a ‘grab bag’ with bespoke items to help soothe and calm them during periods of distress. The plans provide staff with the direction they need to support and protect the children during their stay.

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

Staff undertake the mandatory training. They also receive bespoke training that is tailored to the needs of the children. Staff discuss safeguarding issues during team meetings. As a result, they clearly understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Staff know how to report any concerns they may have. Safeguarding incidents are exceptionally rare. When they occur, staff know how to respond and keep children safe.

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

Staff prioritise children’s safety. They are attuned and responsive to the individual risks children face. Effective safeguarding practice is creating a safe and supportive environment where the children feel secure. The manager fosters an open culture that prioritises transparency and continuous improvement, resulting in an environment where children are protected from harm and helped to thrive while visiting the home.

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

Children’s complex health and behavioural needs mean that there are times of upset, distress and behaviour that is challenging for staff. Staff are skilled at promoting positive behaviour and responding consistently in these situations. When incidents occur, they are managed effectively. However, the records of incidents are incomplete. For example, post-incident information and debriefs are not carried out. The manager has identified the issue as an action to be taken forward.

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

Medication systems and processes are well structured and individualised to meet each child’s specific needs when they visit for their break. Staff receive the necessary training and assessments to ensure that they are confident and competent in this area.

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

When recruiting new members of the team, managers follow safer recruitment processes. This ensures that only individuals who are vetted and assessed as being safe to work with vulnerable children are allowed to work in the home. This reduces the risk of unsuitable adults working in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and has begun to build solid foundations and strong leadership in the home. Along with fostering an environment of respect and attentiveness, she has created a solid foundation for positive outcomes. The emphasis on learning and growth not only benefits the staff and children but also sets a tone for continuous improvement in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak with pride about the home and enjoy their work. They express pleasure in spending time with the children and enhancing their experiences. Staff have confidence Inspection report for children’s home: 2833472 4 in the manager and recognise how the home is progressing under her leadership. Staff report feeling heard and receiving excellent support and opportunities for development from managers. Staff are beginning to incorporate a culture of positive outcomes, reflections and aspirations into their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular one-to-one sessions that provide meaningful opportunities to reflect on their practice, seek guidance and discuss any questions or concerns. The sessions support the development of staff’s skills and confidence, ensuring that they clearly understand their roles, duties and responsibilities while strengthening their ongoing professional development and knowledge. Staff also receive daily support and guidance from the manager and each other. Staff could benefit from further discussions on wider safeguarding issues during their one-to-one meetings and team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective management systems in place to support monitoring the quality of care. However, there are gaps in some recordings and reports. The manager is aware of the shortfalls and the areas that require improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The induction process for new staff is comprehensive and thorough. Staff have access to a wide range of training opportunities that help them meet the needs of the children in their care. Staff say the training they have received has greatly enhanced their understanding of children’s health requirements and complex needs. This has supported staff in adopting a more therapeutic approach when responding to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership work with external agencies is very positive. During this inspection, many social workers and family members commended the manager and staff for their good communication and the high quality of care provided. A common thread in the feedback provided is the positive communication, the progress children are beginning to make and how happy children are when having short breaks. Inspection report for children’s home: 2833472 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the content and/or outcomes of team meetings and one-to-one sessions reflect discussions on safeguarding issues, allowing staff to reflect on their practice and the needs and external wider risks of children in their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.4)  The registered person should ensure that all staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information about individual children in a non- stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. This specifically relates to post-incident recordings and debriefs. (‘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: 2833472 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Inspire Connected Communities Trust

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: St Bernards School, Wood Lane, Louth LN11 8RS

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Inspector

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2833472 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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