Children's Home run by Leighview Social Support in Southend on Sea

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783264 1 Registered provider: Leighview Social Support

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to 2 children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2026.

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Date of last inspection: 17 December 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Date of last inspection: 17 December 2025

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 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: 2783264 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, no children have moved out of or into the home. At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. The child spoke with the inspector.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have improved their therapeutic interactions with the child. Staff talk to the child in a nurturing and compassionate manner, approaching the child thoughtfully and with sensitivity. Records show that the staff listen to the child and respond with warmth and enthusiasm. This provides the child with reassurance that when they talk to staff, their wishes and feelings are valued.

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Findings from the inspection

External professionals were complimentary about the care that the staff provide for the child. Professionals recognise the challenges staff face in helping the child to engage with local services, education and daily routine and structure. Professionals said staff always remain calm, confident and consistent in their care for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

The child has complex needs, with a history of going missing, substance misuse and offending behaviour. Staff have a very good understanding of the child’s background and the factors that contribute to the child’s vulnerability. The staff have well- established, strong links with local support services. Staff ensure that important information is shared with these services promptly. This helps to ensure a collaborative approach to providing support and intervention to both the child and the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff use key-working sessions to help address the child’s behaviours that involve taking risks. Additionally, staff send educational material to the child to read in their own time. These sessions and information-sharing help to increase the child’s awareness of dangers such exploitation and substance misuse.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been one significant missing-from home episode. Staff did their best to maintain contact with the child and search for them. This included driving a considerable distance and staying locally to where staff thought the child might be, to continue their searches. This meant that when the child felt ready to return to the home, staff were available immediately to facilitate their safe return.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have created a homely environment for the child. This extends to regularly checking the child’s bedroom to ensure it is clean, warm and inviting.

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Findings from the inspection

Management monitoring has improved. Leaders and managers complete frequent internal audits and review all reports relating to the child in a timely manner. These audits and checks help to highlight areas for further development. In response, leaders and managers have gone on to offer staff further training. This additional Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783264 3 training has enhanced staff skills. Consequently, the standard of care being delivered to the child has improved.

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Findings from the inspection

Despite these improvements, leaders and managers have not submitted a quality of care report to Ofsted as required by regulation. In addition, shortfalls remain in respect of notifications to Ofsted. Leaders and managers have not always notified Ofsted in a timely way of significant incidents and concerns. These issues reduce Ofsted’s level of oversight.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers ensure that the staff receive regular supervision and staff meetings. These meetings provide an opportunity for the staff to seek further direction and support. The blend of mentoring and guidance provided by the managers helps staff to feel equipped and confident to understand the complex needs of the child.

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Findings from the inspection

At the last inspection, 3 requirements were made. At this inspection, 2 of the requirements had been met. The one remaining requirement has been restated, along with an additional requirement. The recommendation made at the last inspection has also been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783264 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/12/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/11/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783264 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

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 11 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783264 6 The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”).

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (3) (4)(a)) 28 July 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783264 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Leighview Social Support

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 62 Sandown Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9YB

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Sibangani Mswelanto

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Oluwatitofunmi Olajide

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Inspector

Lexi Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2783264 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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