Children's Home run by Footsteps Care Limited in Waltham Forest

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC481293 1 SC481293

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Registered provider: Footsteps Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned home provides care for up to 8 children who have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The home was registered with Ofsted in December 2014. The registered manager post has been vacant since June 2025. An application is in progress.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, 6 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the last inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered (where appropriate) alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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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 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC481293 2

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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: SC481293 3

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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

The home has a lively atmosphere. The children are settled and have strong, trusting relationships with staff. Children enjoy mealtimes together and are pleased to see staff on their return from school.

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Findings from the inspection

Children learn in various ways. Key work sessions teach them about managing their emotions and making important decisions. In meetings, children learn about religion, fire safety and acceptance. They also watch educational videos to further develop their knowledge. All children are in education. Two children have a tutor. The manager consistently advocates for all children to attend school so that they can get the best out of their education.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are progressing with their communication. Some who were pre-verbal are now developing verbal skills. Staff understand how to communicate with children and see the importance of getting their feedback. This helps the children to feel valued.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are passionate about the children having positive experiences. One child loves computers and the manager arranged for them to have regular computer masterclasses. For another child, staff ensure that they have daily access to their chosen religious music. Children are given information about how to complain in ways that they can understand.

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Findings from the inspection

Children receive individualised care that is tailored to their needs. Their care plans are in line with the placing authority plans. The manager appropriately escalates concerns if there are delays in receiving local authority information.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s bedrooms are personalised according to their interests. The sensory room helps children to feel relaxed. However, there is wear and tear in the home and some of the bathrooms are not clean. The manager acknowledges these shortfalls and has plans to address them.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff demonstrate a strong understanding of the children’s needs, risks and vulnerabilities. Children’s risk assessments outline strategies to help staff manage and mitigate any risks.

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Findings from the inspection

Children in the home have complex health needs and staff support them to attend health appointments. There is an ongoing police investigation regarding a previous medication error. The manager has ensured that that all staff have received additional medication training. There is also now a robust medication system which includes regular audits. There have been no further medication errors. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC481293 4 Children rarely go missing from the home. When one child went missing, leaders and managers worked with safeguarding partners, including the police and the local authority designated officer, to address the concern. The staff have learnt from this situation and have a stronger understanding of what to do if a child goes missing. The child also received external emotional support to help them to reflect on the experience. All children have an up-to-date missing from home protocol on their

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Findings from the inspection

records. The manager has built strong relationships with the local train station, and they now contact them if a child goes missing. There are also plans for the children to learn about transport networks and community safety.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents and the use of physical intervention have reduced. When these do happen, staff responses to children are proportionate and empathetic. Discussions always take place with children to help to settle and reassure them.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a new home manager, who is waiting for their application to be considered by the regulator. This manager has responded effectively to the requirements and recommendations made at the home’s last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has embedded a strong safeguarding culture at the home. This is evident through regular staff supervision and team meetings that focus on the children’s welfare and staff understanding of policies. Staff appraisals are an opportunity for staff to reflect on their practice. Feedback from children, staff and professionals helps staff to understand the impact of their care on the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff enjoy working in the home and see the benefits of the training that they have received; they are now all trained to meet the needs of the children. However, some staff have not completed the qualification required to work in children’s homes within the expected time. Senior leaders are aware of this shortfall.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager ensures that staff have a strong understanding of the home’s values. All staff have had a fresh induction to the home to ensure a unified understanding of their responsibilities. This is further reiterated in team meetings and supervision.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager completes regular audits. This ensures he has oversight of staff practice, recording and the children’s progress. The quality-of-care review considers feedback from children, their parents, staff and professionals. It also considers actions that are a focus for the upcoming review period.

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Findings from the inspection

The independent visitor is not consistently supported to gather professional feedback. This feedback is important to evaluate the quality of the child’s care. The manager acknowledges this shortfall. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC481293 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/10/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/12/2024 Full Good 28/09/2023 Full Good 31/08/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC481293 6

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

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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

The relevant date is: 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.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 32 (1) (3)(b) (4)(a) (5)(a)) 1 June 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any wear and tear in the home is addressed as soon as possible to ensure that the home is in a suitable condition. All the bathrooms in the home should be hygienic. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the independent visitor can obtain feedback from children's professional networks so they can make a well-informed assessment of the home's safeguarding arrangements and children's welfare. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 65, paragraph 15.5) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC481293 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Footsteps Care Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: The Orchard, Ashmead Drive, Denham, Uxbridge, UB9 5BA

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Anslim Narinesingh

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Inspector

Chelsea Agyeman, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC481293 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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