Children's home run by Outdoor Care Limited Assurance visit report: 2587132 4

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2587132 1

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to 2 children who may have social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

No children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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This monitoring visit

An assurance inspection was completed on 13 January 2026. Ofsted identified serious and widespread concerns at this inspection. Significant failures in safeguarding practice and in the leadership and management of the home had negatively affected the care and experiences of children. Following this inspection Ofsted issued a restriction of accommodation notice, preventing the provider from admitting children to the home. Two compliance notices under regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard) were also issued.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was carried out on 5 March 2026 to review the restriction of accommodation notice and compliance notices. The inspection identified that the provider had complied with the restriction of accommodation. However, not all the steps in the compliance notices were met and these were re-issued.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out to review the restriction of accommodation notice and the progress made by the provider to meet the steps in the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has complied with the restriction of accommodation, and no children have moved into the home since this was issued.

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This monitoring visit

One child has recently moved on from the home. The child’s risk assessments reflected their individual needs and risks. Leaders and managers had updated the child’s care plan to make it clearer to staff what actions they should take to reduce risks that the child faced. This helped ensure that all staff were aware of what was expected of them to keep the child safe. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2587132 2 Since the last inspection staff have been proactive in working with the child around their individual risks and plan. Staff had discussions with the child which were structured and linked with their individual needs and risks they faced. Furthermore, the manager reviewed records and identified any further actions for staff. This helped the child understand risks and how to access support.

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This monitoring visit

Staff supported the child to have a positive ending to their time at the home. Staff developed positive relationships with family members as a part of the child’s transition. Additionally, advice and guidance were provided to help the child understand what future support is available to them. The child said, ‘ they appreciated this support and did not feel their move could have gone any better’.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have reflected on shortfalls from the previous inspection and have been proactive in identifying learning. New systems have been implemented to improve the staff’s responses when children need support for their health. Plans have been altered to ensure information is clearly recorded, including any actions for staff to take. This improves communication to ensure that children’s health needs are met.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have implemented new systems to strengthen management oversight and staff accountability. This includes increased management oversight of incidents and children’s records. Furthermore, management audit tools have been improved to identify areas of strength and development for staff. One staff member said, ‘communication between management and staff has come on leaps and bounds.’

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This monitoring visit

The recommendation set at the full inspection was not reviewed and therefore re-stated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2587132 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/09/2024 Full Good 13/06/2023 Full Good 13/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2587132 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure the quality-of-care review enables them to identify areas of strength and possible weakness in the home's care, which will be captured in the written report. The report should clearly identify any actions required for the next 6 months of delivery within the home and how those actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 65, paragraph 15.4)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under The Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2587132 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Outdoor Care Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 16 Bondgate Without, ALNWICK, Northumberland NE66 1PP

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Inspector

Natalie Clark, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2587132 6 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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