Children's Home run by Kingsway Children’s Home Limited in Manchester

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2836510 1 Registered provider: Kingsway Children’s Home Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a small private provider. It offers care for 2 child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home. One child spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025.

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Inspection date: 18 March 2026

Date of last inspection: 4 November 2025

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Inspection date: 18 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 18 March 2026

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: 2836510 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

Multi-agency working is a key strength of the home. Staff work collaboratively with professionals to share information and respond effectively to children’s needs. This approach strengthens safeguarding practice to provide coordinated support and promote positive outcomes for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Following several serious incidents, the manager decided to support the child to move on from the home, in line with the child’s wishes at that time. However, this decision was changed following direct work with the child. As a result of this work, the child’s engagement with staff has improved and a structured plan is in place for the child to remain at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children at the home do not always have a good relationship with one another. Staff actively support them to improve their relationship through direct work and ongoing guidance. They ensure that children can engage in activities that reflect their individual interests, promoting positive experiences. Staff speak with children about acceptable behaviour and expectations, helping them to develop appropriate social skills and encourage mutual respect.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff promote the importance of education. One child recently secured a college placement following a period of no attendance. However, the child found this transition overwhelming and did not attend. Staff are actively working with professionals to identify more supportive approaches to help the child re-engage in education that meets their individual needs.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been several serious incidents since the last inspection. Staff demonstrate strong multi-agency working to safeguard children and respond appropriately to risk. However, incidents are not consistently reported to the regulator, which reduces the effectiveness of external oversight and monitoring.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has recently recruited an experienced deputy manager to strengthen oversight in the home. As a result, there is increased management capacity, which supports more effective monitoring of practice and greater scrutiny of incidents and safeguarding concerns. However, although staff receive supervision that is reflective and supports professional development, this does not take place at regular intervals.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have access to a range of training that supports them to meet the needs of children living at the home effectively. The manager has identified additional training to enhance staff knowledge and promote consistency in their practice. However, 3 members of staff have not attained their qualification within the required timeframe. The manager has developed an action plan for all staff members to address this. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2836510 3 All the requirements made at the last inspection have been met. Two additional requirements have been made during this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2836510 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/11/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2836510 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 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

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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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");

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Requirement Due date

or 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 April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or 28 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2836510 6 in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff that work in the home in a care role have obtained their relevant qualification by within the specified timescale.

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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

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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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. (Regulation 40 (a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the regulation is informed of all significant incidents in a timely manner. 28 April 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff have received regular supervision in line with the home’s statement of purpose. In addition, all ‘all supervision should be of good quality and reflective. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 61, paragraph 13.3) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2836510 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kingsway Children’s Home Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 163 Kingsway, Manchester M19 2ND

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Inspector

Carrie Mayes, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2836510 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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