Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council

Inspection report children's home: 2812371 1 Registered provider: Worcestershire County Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to care for up to 4 children with learning disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder. At the time of the inspection, 2 children lived at the home. All were seen during the inspection. Both children were seen by the inspector.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024. He holds a level 5 in leadership and management.

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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 requires improvement to be 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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2812371 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/03/2025 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2812371 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from the care of a committed and nurturing staff team. They know the children well and provide consistently high ‑ quality care. Because of this, children are making steady and sustained progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Partnership working remains a significant strength of the home. Staff maintain excellent links with education providers, ensuring a coordinated approach to meeting children’s needs. They work together with professionals towards shared goals, regularly exchanging information, strategies and approaches that enhance children’s experiences and outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have good attendance at school and are making positive progress. One child is achieving above their expected targets, reflecting the effectiveness of the support provided by staff and education professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work well with educators and speech and language professionals to support children’s communication difficulties. They demonstrate a strong understanding of each child’s individual communication needs and adapt their practice accordingly. As a result, children are increasingly able to express their needs and wishes with greater confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to make informed decisions about their health. For example, staff have provided one child with age ‑ appropriate information to help them understand and decide whether to proceed with a medical process. This promoted the child’s autonomy and ensured their views were central to the decision making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop independence skills at a pace that is right for them. Staff encourage children to undertake tasks for themselves and provide the right level of guidance. This approach has contributed to children developing independent life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively facilitate and promote children’s time with their families. They ensure that children are supported to maintain meaningful and important relationships through regular telephone calls and well ‑ planned family visits.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from opportunities to take part in social and recreational activities in the community. Staff encourage children to try new experiences, make friends, and develop social skills. One child attends regular clubs, and another child has had overnight stays in a caravan. Both children have made significant progress in their activities in the wider community. However, one child’s routine and structure can limit their engagement in group activities with peers and reduce their opportunity to build friendships.

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improvement to be good

Inspection report children's home: 2812371 4 At the last inspection, actions identified in the fire risk assessment had not been completed. Despite repeated requests from the manager, no action has been taken by the organisation. To mitigate potential risks, the manager has implemented increased safety measures. Children and staff now take part in more frequent fire ‑ evacuation drills, and staff have received additional fire ‑ safety training. These steps have help to reduce risk while outstanding actions from the fire risk assessment remain unresolved.

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improvement to be good

On rare occasions, staff have made errors in recording or have not administered medication as prescribed. Although, no children have been harm, the manager has taken prompt action to address these shortfalls. Staff have received additional guidance, and training to improve practice and prevent reoccurrence.

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improvement to be good

Children are cared for by a high number of staff, which contributes to their safety and wellbeing. They provide nurturing care and maintain positive and trusting relationships with children. Through open conversations and guidance, staff help children understand and manage their emotions and behaviours. As a result, children do not go missing from the home, and staff have not needed to use physical intervention.

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improvement to be good

Staff help children to learn about how to keep themselves safe through regular direct work sessions. These sessions use a range of materials, including visual resources and videos, to help children understand risks in a way that is meaningful to them. Online safety is managed effectively; children’s internet use is monitored, and any concerns are explored sensitively with them to reinforce safe and appropriate behaviour.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has faced significant challenges over the past year due to ongoing uncertainty about the future of the operation of the home. Despite this, he has remained positive, child ‑ focused and committed to providing continuity and stability for children. He continues to drive improvements and maintain high aspirations for the children and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems are effective and used well. The manager maintains a strong understanding of each child’s progress and has clear aspirations for their continued development. He articulates how progress is achieved to ensures plans remain focused on children’s needs and goals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have demonstrated resilience and continued dedication during periods of uncertainty. They speak positively about the support provided by the manager and value his visible presence in the home, guidance, and encouragement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager provides staff with regular reflective supervision and access to a broad range of training opportunities. When specific learning needs are identified, he has proactively sought additional training. In the absence of formal courses, he has undertaken research and offered staff relevant learning and drawn on the expertise of Inspection report children's home: 2812371 5 others. This ensures staff knowledge continues to develop in line with children’s emerging needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager seeks the views of others, including the children. They are meaningfully involved in decisions about their daily lives and the running of the home. For example, feedback on personalising their bedrooms, creating their own menu and activity plans, contributes to the overall plans for the home. Feedback from staff, and external professionals informs ongoing development and improves the quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals spoken to were highly complementary about the manager, and the staff team. They described a strong partnership working, effective communication and a collaborative approach. Furthermore, because of the team’s professionalism, openness, children have made significant progress due to the care and support they receive. Inspection report children's home: 2812371 6

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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

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The provider must ensure that they address outstanding recommendations within fire risk assessments promptly.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 10 April 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure children with disabilities, illnesses or may have physical or emotional difficulties which mean that participation in leisure or cultural activities in the community is difficult to achieve. The registered person, in conjunction with any relevant person (such as a parent or school) should assess what would be safe, achievable and reasonable for each child, in line with their relevant plans, and ensure appropriate opportunities are available for each child to have fun, form friendships and enjoy life, relative to their stage of development and individual needs. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 31, paragraph 6.10)

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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 children's home: 2812371 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worchester WR5 2NP

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Inspector

Debbie Bond, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2812371 8 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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