Children's Home run by Quality Care Homes (UK) Limited in Slough

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183799 1 Registered provider: Quality Care Homes (UK) Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home that provides care for up to 4 children with learning disabilities. The home provides long-term and short-breaks care. At the time of the inspection, there was one child living at the home and one child staying for short breaks at weekends.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2018.

p.1

Inspection date: 24 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 24 March 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: 1183799 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The provider has taken proactive steps to address the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. These actions have contributed to improved outcomes for the children living in and visiting the home. Staff are able to meet children’s needs, keep them safe and support them to understand risks. However, the direct work carried out with children is not always reflected in the written records. Some areas for improvement identified at the last inspection remain on-going and the registered manager has a clear plan to address them. He is committed to continually improving the quality of care provided.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child currently living at the home is settled and views it as his home. He has formed trusting relationships with staff. Staff provide a nurturing approach that balances meeting individual needs with supporting the development of independence.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children make steady progress in developing their independence skills, which has also been observed during family visits. For example, children have made significant improvements in personal hygiene, healthy eating, cooking and road safety. Staff use child-friendly visual aids to support daily routines and record photographic evidence of children completing tasks to demonstrate progress. However, there is limited written evidence of children’s presentation, responses or experiences during their journey towards achieving these goals. For children who move on from the home, this creates a gap in information for new carers or parents about the steps required to support their individual needs.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The provider works effectively with children’s social workers, parents and supported accommodation providers to ensure that they receive appropriate support as they reach adulthood. This helps children to be well prepared for moving on and ensures continuity of wrap-around services to meet their complex needs as far as possible.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There has been one serious safeguarding incident since the last inspection. The provider responded promptly to support the child and reduce risks. The incident was reported to Ofsted as required and there was effective partnership working with other agencies. Clear reflection and learning have taken place, resulting in internal policy changes and additional staff training.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Risk assessments have been redesigned and now provide clear guidance for staff on managing children’s behaviours. Staff know the children well and can confidently describe the support they offer to reduce identified risks. Staff use social stories and visual aids to help children understand the risks associated with going missing from home. However, there is limited written evidence of how staff support children to Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183799 3 understand other risks identified at the previous inspection, such as risks in the kitchen.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There is strong evidence of staff involving children in day-to-day decisions about the running of the home. For example, children choose their bedrooms, decor and furniture, with families encouraged to support them in doing so.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The maintenance shortfalls identified at the last inspection have been addressed. However, not all wear-and-tear issues are resolved promptly. For example, staff did not identify a loose window screw in a child’s bedroom, and adhesive putty from previous wall displays remained in another bedroom after the child had moved rooms.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has commissioned a new monthly independent visitor who meets statutory timescales and seeks feedback from children, families and professionals. The independent visitor’s reports confirm that the provider can safeguard children and promote their well-being.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff have either completed or are working towards the required training, including the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare. The registered manager has facilitated additional training and resources to strengthen the ability of staff to identify risks and meet children’s complex needs. Staff report feeling supported and valued by the registered manager.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

While significant progress has been made in addressing previous requirements and recommendations, 2 requirements and one recommendation remain only partly met and continue to apply. No new staff have joined the home since the last inspection and, therefore, the provider’s compliance with safer recruitment requirements will be reviewed at the next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183799 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/03/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/02/2024 Full Good 10/05/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183799 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

p.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d) (4)(a)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must take all reasonable steps to verify references and the reasons why new employees have left previous employment in supporting vulnerable groups.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The manager must ensure that staff working in the children’s home attain the required qualification. 24 September

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. 24 September Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183799 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

p.6

Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iii)(vi)(ix))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that there are clear plans of care for staff to follow that involve the children’s choices and promote dignified care.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that the staff help the children to take positive risks and develop independence skills for adulthood. 24 September Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183799 7

p.6

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children. They will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183799 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Quality Care Homes (UK) Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6th Floor, Amp House, Croydon CR0 2LX

p.8

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Balwinder Randhawa

p.8

Inspector

Claudia Poienar, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183799 9 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9