Children's Home run by Island Choices Ltd in Isle of Wight

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC399866 1 SC399866

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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 operated by a private company and provides care for up to 4 children.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 4 children were living at the home. All the places are commissioned by one local authority.

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Information about this children’s home

The post for a registered manager has been vacant since 12 March 2026.

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Inspection date: 24 March 2026

Date of last inspection: 4 November 2025

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Inspection date: 24 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 24 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: SC399866 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

This assurance inspection was carried out following a ‘requires improvement to be good’ judgement at the last full inspection in November 2025.

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Findings from the inspection

At the last inspection, 6 requirements were raised. Four requirements have been met, and one new requirement has been raised during this inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are mostly making educational progress in line with their individual starting points. Two children continue to attend college and receive appropriate support when challenges arise. Another child is engaging well with home tutoring, and their participation has improved. However, one child is not making progress; they are currently not in education or employment and are frequently absent from the home. Leaders and managers recognise the need to address this situation.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are generally healthy. Staff help and encourage them to attend their health appointments and make healthy choices. For example, one child managed to attend a dental appointment on their own. This was a big step for them to face their fears of visiting the dentist.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are encouraged to engage in activities they enjoy. One child spoke excitedly about a golfing weekend they attended with staff, while another child proudly shared photos from a dance competition showcasing their talent. As a result, children are boosting their confidence and strengthening their skills.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is generally safe and well maintained. Children’s bedrooms are clean and tidy, reflecting improvements made since the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff actively help children address behavioural concerns, which has led to noticeable improvements for one child at the home. Although there are still concerns about their behaviour in the community, staff continue to work closely with professionals to provide consistent guidance and interventions.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff engage the relevant professionals when children go missing so they can help keep them safe. However, staff do not follow children straight away when they leave, as set out in their safety plans, which means they miss opportunities to encourage them to return and to know where they are going.

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Findings from the inspection

Consequences used with children are reasonable and proportionate. Staff now have extra guidance to help them continue using consequences in a consistent and appropriate manner. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC399866 3 Staff successfully support children as they prepare for adulthood. For example, one child has secured an apprenticeship and will soon be moving on from the home. They are excited about their future opportunities. Consequently, this support helps children gain confidence, develop independence, and feel ready for the next stage of their lives.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have improved safer recruitment practices. Disclosure and Barring Service checks are carried out for all staff. However, the recording of these checks is unclear, which makes it difficult to ascertain who has carried them out and when.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have been reporting incidents they consider serious to Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff feel well supported by their managers. Supervision now takes place regularly, and leaders have put clear processes in place to ensure that this continues. A new staff member said they received helpful training that enhanced their understanding of children’s behaviour. As a result, staff are better prepared to meet the children’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Management oversight still needs to improve. Recording is inconsistent and does not always clearly address practice concerns or identify areas where staff need support. As a result, important issues may be missed, and staff may not receive the necessary guidance to provide the most effective care for children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC399866 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/11/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/03/2025 Full Good 14/11/2023 Full Good 23/03/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC399866 5

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (2)(a)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff take effective practical steps and act in accordance with agreed safety plans when children leave the home unauthorised and there are concerns for their safety. 6 July 2026

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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

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if—

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Requirement Due date

the child is, or has been, persistently absent from the home without permission. (Regulation 14 (2)(b)(ii)(e)(ii)) 6 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose; 6 July 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC399866 6 understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (2)(a)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that management oversight is recorded consistently and is effective in improving practice and providing clear direction and next steps for staff.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and has been restated.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they maintain good employment practice as set out in regulations 31 to 33. They must ensure that staff recruitment safeguards children and minimises potential risks for them. In particular, the registered person should ensure that checks carried out in relation to staff suitability are fully recorded, including the dates and who carried them out. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC399866 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: East Quay, Kite Hill, Wootton Bridge, Ryde PO33 4LA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: William Stanbridge

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Inspector

Chido Mangava, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC399866 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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