Children's Home run by Coventry City Council in Coventry

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2507724 1 Registered provider: Coventry City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home registered in March 2019. It provides care for up to 4 children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2025.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, 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. Inspectors have 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: 2507724 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

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. Since the last inspection, one child had moved into and out of the home. This inspection focused on both children's experiences.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a home environment that is clean, tidy and welcoming. Several areas of the home have been painted and decorated in line with children's tastes. Photos of children and staff in the living area adds to the family feel of the home. Children have a pleasant, homely environment to grow and develop in.

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Findings from the inspection

Children's education is prioritised and staff take a proactive approach to meeting children's individual learning needs. They work with education professionals to ensure that children have access to provisions that align with their needs. When children are unable or unwilling to attend school, staff offer learning opportunities within the home. They used one child's interests in dance and beauty therapy to create engaging alternative educational activities. This approach supports the child to engage in learning and to develop additional skills and interests.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have a strong understanding of children's risks and how they are to be managed. One child's internet use is monitored closely. Parental safety applications, regular device checks and appropriate internet restrictions are used consistently. Also, staff remain alert to emerging risks. When one child's safety has been compromised online or in the community, staff take prompt and proportionate action. This includes working collaboratively with the child's family and wider network and educating the child about online safety and how to stay safe when out in the community. These measures help to reduce risk and support children to develop a stronger understanding of personal safety.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are proactive in searching for children who go missing from the home. They travel with children on public transport to keep them in sight, and where possible, conduct searches on foot and by car. Staff make persistent efforts to contact children and their wider social network to establish their whereabouts. They work closely with other professionals and family members to support the child's safe return. When children come back to the home, staff welcome them with care and nurture, offering the opportunity to reflect on the incident and discuss how they are feeling. These actions help to reassure and remind children that they are wanted and cared for by staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers take allegations seriously and respond promptly. They ensure that concerns are explored thoroughly, shared with the professional network, and they implement suitable safety measures while investigations are underway. This demonstrates effective safeguarding practice. However, the recording of actions Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2507724 3 taken and decision-making is not always completed in line with the home's recording policy. This shortfall does not detract from otherwise effective safeguarding practice but highlights an area for further improvement.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical intervention is used only as a last resort and, when required, is carried out safely and proportionately. However, following incidents in which staff have been hurt, there have been occasions when the police have been asked to speak with one child about their behaviour. In some cases, visits to the police station have been arranged to help the child understand the consequences of their actions. Staff and managers do not fully recognise the negative impact that unnecessary police involvement can have on children, particularly when behaviours are trauma-related rather than criminal in nature. This approach has the potential to leave children feeling shamed and rejected at times when they need understanding, support and therapeutic care.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager's systems for assessing and planning children's moves into the home are inconsistent. For example, prior to moving into the home, children are provided with opportunities to visit the home and spend time getting to know the staff, choose their bedroom and meet other children living in the home. However, the suitability of children moving into the home is not assessed robustly enough. One child's lived experience and vulnerabilities were not fully considered or assessed effectively. As a result, the child experienced disruption and an unsettled time, which led to them moving to another home. This lack of thorough assessment contributed to an avoidable and negative experience for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children to move on from the home well. They support children to visit their new home and to meet the staff that will be caring for them. As a result, children feel reassured when moving out of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The 4 requirements, and the one recommendation raised at the last inspection have been met. One requirement and two recommendations have been raised as a result of the findings at this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2507724 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/02/2025 Full Inadequate 01/08/2023 Full Good 11/05/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2507724 5

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due Date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home; and

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Requirement Due Date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due Date

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

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Requirement Due Date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home's statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due Date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that they consider the compatibility and suitability of children's needs before moving them into the home. The registered person must ensure that they consider children who are already living in the home to ensure that children are able to live alongside each other without negatively impacting each other. 30 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2507724 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff and managers are familiar with the home's policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording, including key decision-making processes. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,' page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that police involvement in the home is proportionate and understand the negative impact of unnecessary police involvement in children's lives. Children should not be subjected to punitive or shaming consequences involving the police to manage behaviours, that would not similarly lead to police involvement if it occurred in a family home. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,' page 47, paragraph 9.40) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2507724 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Coventry City Council

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Po Box 7097, Coventry CV6 9SL

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Inspector

Menaka De Silva, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2507724 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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