Children's Home run by Urban-Care Ltd in Kent

Inspection report children's home: 2835002 1 Registered provider: Urban-Care Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

Urban-Care provides care, across a multi-location residential care setting for up to 5 children and young people being between 12-17 across 3 homes, 1 solo home and 2 dual occupancy homes. There were four children living at the homes during this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2025. This is the first inspection since the service was registered in September 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 children's home: 2835002 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff care for children in a way that helps them establish clear routines and have consistent, positive experience of care. This consistency helps children feel safe and provides them with a predictable environment. Because they know what to expect, children settle into the home quickly and build strong bonds with staff. Established routines support children to engage better with education, and to have a sense of belonging. Children take an active part in daily life and join in with home activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff adapt their support to meet the specific needs of each child. They use one-to- one time and personalised conversations to ensure that every child has a voice. This flexible approach helps children feel listened to and understood by the adults around them. By creating safe spaces for children to share their views, staff encourage them to talk about their worries and make informed choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide sensitive support for children’s emotional and mental health needs. They help children manage periods of low mood or emotional challenges with patience and care. Staff actively encourage engagement with professional therapeutic services to ensure that children get the specialist help they need. This work happens at a pace that feels safe for the child, allowing them to explore their needs without feeling overwhelmed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take steps to help children overcome social isolation and build confidence. For example, supporting a child to attend stage school has provided them with a sense of achievement and a connection to the wider community. Encouraging creative interests helps children strengthen their self-esteem and their ability to trust others. These opportunities reduce the risks associated with isolation and help children develop a sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The use of progress-tracking tools helps children reflect on their own journeys and achievements. Staff guide children through structured discussions about their experiences and their future goals. This process allows children to understand their own strengths and identify areas where they might need more help. It also provides a straightforward way for children to share any concerns they have about their care or their progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the homes are well-maintained, clean, and personalised to reflect the identities of the children living there. Staff take visible pride in creating a comfortable environment that feels like home. When repairs are needed, leaders respond appropriately and seek the views of the children on how to improve the space. This involvement ensures that children feel a sense of ownership and pride in their living environment.

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

Inspection report children's home: 2835002 3 Safeguarding arrangements are robust and meet all statutory and government requirements. Staff are trained to recognise a wide range of risks, including the signs of radicalisation and extremism. Regular training ensures that the team remains up to date with the latest safety guidance and legal obligations.

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

Staff respond quickly and effectively whenever a child goes missing from the home. They immediately search the local area and maintain constant communication with families and the police. This rapid response ensures that children are located as safely and quickly as possible. Once the child returns, staff follow up with them to understand the reasons behind the incident and to plan how to stay safe in the future. However, staff do not effectively advocate to ensure that children can speak to their social worker following episodes of being missing from the home.

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

The staff collaborate closely with partner agencies to understand and support children who maybe at risks of exploitation. They provide steady and reliable support which helps children remain connected to safe, trusted adults. This collaborative working helps to build a protective shield around vulnerable children. By strengthening these relationships, staff reduce the likelihood of children being targeted or harmed by people outside the home.

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

Managers and staff maintain clear and consistent boundaries that contribute to a sense of security. These boundaries are designed to help children feel looked after and stable. When children understand the ‘rules of the house,’ they feel more settled and less anxious. This structured approach creates a foundation of wellbeing that allows children to focus on their growth and education.

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

The team works in the least restrictive way possible to balance safety with a child’s right to freedom. Staff carefully assess risks to ensure that children are not held back by unnecessary rules or limits. This approach helps children build the confidence they need to manage their own safety in the real world. By allowing for gradual independence, staff help children prepare for life beyond residential care.

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

Children benefit from a calm, trauma-aware approach when they are feeling worried or upset. Staff offer space and practical strategies to help children manage difficult moments without feeling pressured. This support helps children understand their own feelings and reduces their overall levels of anxiety. Consequently, children are learning how to make safer decisions both at home and when they are out in the community.

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

Health and safety practices are well-embedded across all sites and are monitored effectively by the leadership team. Medication records are consistently up to date, ensuring that children receive the correct treatment at the right times. Routine checks of the building and equipment are conducted systematically to prevent accidents. These background processes ensure that the physical environment remains a safe place for children to live and play.

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

Staff are not always clear about their reasoning for either notifying Ofsted, or not, about incidents that may be considered serious. Inspection report children's home: 2835002 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leadership is strong and provides clear direction to ensure that care practice is built on a clear, trauma-informed ethos that prioritises the needs of the child. The senior team’s background in social work provides a solid foundation for high-quality practice across the service. This vision has created a culture where the ‘lived experience of the child is at the heart of every decision made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has successfully navigated the challenges of running a new service with a proactive attitude. They have embraced a steep learning curve to develop the necessary regulatory knowledge and management skills. They have shaped and improved practice to ensure that children benefit from a supportive and understanding approach. Expectations are now clearly aligned with the exacting standards required of a registered children’s home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders act quickly to investigate any incidents where practice does not meet the expected standard. For example, after an incident involving police involvement, leaders immediately reviewed the situation to identify lessons. They used this as an opportunity to retrain staff and to manage situations more effectively without the need to involve the police. This learning culture ensures that the service is constantly evolving and improving for the benefit of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment and retention are managed strategically to ensure that the home has a diverse and capable staff team. By focusing on keeping skilled staff, leaders provide children with the stable, long-term relationships they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Inexperienced staff benefit from a structured induction and essential training before they begin working in the homes. This preparation helps them understand the specific needs of the children and the safety procedures they must follow. A key highlight is the focus on sharing the senior team's expertise with all staff, ensuring every member of the workforce is equally skilled and knowledgeable. By investing in this professional development, the service is creating a confident, high-quality team dedicated to the wellbeing of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership team maintains strong daily oversight through regular team meetings and site audits. Managers invest time in coaching and mentoring senior staff to help them become more confident leaders themselves. This hands-on leadership style ensures that the quality of care remains high and that improvements are sustained over time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders create an open culture where staff feel supported to share concerns and learn from one another. Regular breakfast briefings and reflective supervision sessions allow the team to discuss the needs of the children in detail. This joined-up approach ensures that all staff are working toward the same goals and providing consistent care. Inspection report children's home: 2835002 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should notify placing authorities, Ofsted and other relevant persons about serious events. They should record their rationale for not notifying Ofsted, in cases where they have judged an incident not to meet the thresholds outlined in Regulation 40 of the Children’s Homes regulations (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 42, paragraph 9.4)  The registered person should challenge the local authority if the local authority does not offer or arrange an independent return home interview when a child returns to the home after being missing from the home or away from the home without permission. (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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: 2835002 6

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Inspector

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2835002 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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