Children's Home run by Destini Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report children’s home: 2732195 1 Registered provider: Destini 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 3 children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living at the home. All children were seen by the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced to oversee the home. A new responsible individual has recently taken up their role; however, their suitability has not yet been assessed by Ofsted.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2732195 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2025 Full Good 16/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2732195 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

No children have moved into or out of the home since the last inspection. The 3 children living in the home have continued to experience stability and predictability in their daily routines. This consistency provides them with a strong sense of belonging and security and enables them to build and sustain trusting relationships with staff and leaders .

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children face barriers to full-time schooling, staff respond proactively by offering alternative strategies and creative learning opportunities. This enables children to continue making progress, feel supported by adults who understand their needs, and benefit from consistent, personalised learning. Children who attend school full time also make good progress. Their education, health and care plans are regularly reviewed and accurately reflect their individual needs and agreed outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities and are encouraged to try new things and have fun. Staff and managers explore each child’s suggestions to ensure that activities reflect their genuine interests. For example, when one child chose to stop dance lessons, staff sourced cheerleading classes as an alternative, which the child now attends and thoroughly enjoys. As a result, children gain confidence in trying new experiences and feel heard and valued when their preferences change.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious, welcoming and homely, with children’s belongings, toys and resources clearly visible, creating a child-led, lived-in environment. Each child has a large bedroom that they have personalised to reflect their tastes and interests. Communal areas display photos of the children enjoying activities, trips and holidays together. This helps children develop a strong sense of ownership and belonging and ensures that their identity and achievements are positively reflected throughout the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well met and closely monitored by the staff and manager to ensure that they remain healthy and receive support tailored to their individual needs. Children make exceptional progress in developing their speech and language skills because managers and staff work closely with health specialists and promote alternative communication methods where required. As a result, children are increasingly able to express themselves, communicate their needs and make meaningful progress in their overall development.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing, physical restraint or self-harm during this inspection period. This reflects a settled home environment where children feel safe and their needs are understood and met before behaviours escalate. Where children have known triggers or patterns of distress, staff use appropriate de-escalation strategies and show insight into the underlying causes of any escalation or behaviours linked to strong emotions. Inspection report for children’s home: 2732195 4 Children live in a safe and nurturing environment where their welfare and best interests are central to staff and managerial practice. Staff know the children well and understand their needs through a trauma-informed lens, using a therapeutic approach based on the PACE model of care. These strong relationships are supported by a stable staff team and are consistently warm, genuine and predictable. This provides children with the

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

foundations to feel safe, develop trust and express any worries or concerns.

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

Safeguarding incidents are managed effectively and taken seriously by the manager and staff. When significant concerns arise, the manager responds immediately and carries out thorough investigations. Safeguarding procedures are followed, and all relevant professionals are informed. This reflects a strong safeguarding culture in which leaders take the necessary action to prioritise children’s safety and wellbeing. As a result, children in the home are better protected.

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

Children receive ongoing direct work that helps them understand how to keep themselves safe. These interventions are tailored to their stage of development and are age appropriate. This equips children with the language, understanding and practical skills they need to recognise risks and respond safely in different situations. As a result, they are better prepared to make safer choices and understand personal boundaries.

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

Staff and managers understand children’s risks. Most risk management plans are in place and provide useful information. However, some plans are not up to date and lack clear, detailed guidance for staff. While this has not affected children’s safety or wellbeing, the absence of consistent and specific guidance increases the potential for this to occur.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is highly experienced and suitably qualified. She values her staff team and identifies workforce consistency as a key strength of the home. Staff speak positively about the support they receive and feel proud to work in a team that makes a meaningful difference to children’s lives. As a result, children benefit from a stable and familiar group of adults who know them well, understand their needs and provide consistent, nurturing care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have taken action to address the requirements and recommendation raised at the last inspection. The manager now produces quality of care reports that outline actions taken and improvements made in the home. New leadership is also ambitious about streamlining documentation and integrating it into a single electronic system, which is currently under development. Leaders acknowledge the time and persistence required for implementing this approach, but they have initiated the process and are beginning to integrate it into practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular team meetings and effective supervision. Supervision is used well to support staff development, reflect on significant incidents and enhance practice. Team meetings are positive and provide opportunities to explore new themes, such as cultural events and charity activities involving staff and children. The manager also Inspection report for children’s home: 2732195 5 encourages staff to reflect on and learn about the use of language, appropriate tactile touch, and the importance of building positive connections with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most staff are suitably qualified and receive training that enables them to understand children’s needs and respond effectively. However, not all staff have achieved the required qualification within regulatory timescales. This shortfall has the potential to affect the consistency and quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and leaders advocate for children and promote their best interests. One professional commented that the home has consistently supported a child’s learning and wellbeing. Staff have actively contributed to school visits and discussions to identify appropriate educational provision that meets the child’s individual needs. Their commitment to supporting education has been evident throughout. They further noted that the manager has advocated effectively for the children and provided helpful and relevant information about home circumstances, which has supported planning and decision-making. Inspection report for children’s home: 2732195 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, 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 recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home, (Regulation 32 (1) (3)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)) 30 March 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. In particular, the registered person must ensure that this applies to all events and activities outside the home for all children, including times when the children are with family and friends. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) Inspection report for children’s home: 2732195 7

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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: 2732195 8

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Inspector

Gill Rudkin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2732195 9 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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