Children's Home run by Connections 2 Independence Ltd in Gloucestershire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742671 1 Registered provider: Connections 2 Independence Ltd

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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 by a private provider and offers care for up to 4 children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living in the home, and one spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager was registered by Ofsted on 14 August 2025. He has completed his Level 5 diploma in Leadership and Management for Children’s Residential Services.

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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 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: 2742671 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, 3 children were living at the home. During the inspection, the inspector spoke to one of the children. They shared no concerns and had positive relationships with the manager and staff. Other children appeared relaxed and comfortable with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and staff support children to make progress with their education. The manager has been confident advocating on behalf of children. This has ensured that children’s educational needs are understood and met.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff promote children’s health needs. Children are supported to attend routine health appointments, including dentist and optician appointments. The manager and staff have regular discussions with children, sharing the importance of attending appointments. Consequently, this encourages children who have previously struggled to now attend regular appointments.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is warm, homely and child focused. The manager and staff encourage children to decorate their bedrooms in a way they are comfortable with. This supports children to feel a sense of belonging.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and staff work well with external professionals. One professional told the inspector, ‘The home keeps the social worker and me as his manager up to date with progress, and I am struggling to think what more they could do or how they could improve.’

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Findings from the inspection

A suitably qualified and experienced staff team works in the home. Leaders provide staff with both mandatory and bespoke training relevant to their roles. Due to this, staff feel more equipped to support children in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager’s oversight has improved since the last inspection. He has developed systems, including having a clearer oversight of any safeguarding concerns, monthly audits are more robust and children’s statutory documents are better tracked. As a result, the manager has the opportunity to identify shortfalls at the earliest opportunity.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the previous inspection, the quality of supervision has improved. Leaders complete regular supervisions with staff and promote an open-door policy. Due to this, staff feel comfortable and content in their roles.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s plans are not always clear. One child’s risk management plan did not clarify arrangements for seeing a person of importance to them. It was not clear Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742671 3 how staff were expected to manage the presenting risks. This enables the opportunity for inconsistent care.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff do not always assess the level of risk well. On one occasion, 2 children were able to leave the home unnoticed despite staff being aware that they had been unsettled. Leaders have since reflected on staff practice and have identified learning from this.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s moves into the home are not always planned well. Leaders did not fully consider the presenting risks of existing children living in the home. Also, it was not clear how staff supported one child to understand the arrangements for their sibling temporarily moving into the home. This contributed to an unsettled period, including missing-from-home incidents taking place. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742671 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/01/2025 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742671 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

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children are provided with consistent care and support that helps them to meet their individual needs. Children’s plans must be up to date and reflective of children’s needs so that they help staff to deliver good-quality care. The effectiveness of the support that children receive must be regularly reviewed so that continual improvements can be made and actions to meet children’s needs are not left to drift. 14 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if 14 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742671 6 necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v))

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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

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) (2)(a)) 14 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742671 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Connections 2 Independence Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 14, Capitol Park, Pearce Way, Gloucester GL2 5YD

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Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742671 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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Inspector

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