Children's Home run by Willcob Care Ltd in Bexley

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2769384 1 Registered provider: Willcob Care Ltd

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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 4 children with learning disabilities. There were 3 children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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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: 2769384 2

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Findings from the inspection

This assurance inspection was carried out following specific concerns received by Ofsted in regard to the care of children and the home's leadership and management arrangements.

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Findings from the inspection

We identified the following serious and 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. Two children were spoken with as part of the inspection. The registered manager was present for the inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers do not have sufficient oversight of staff practice or risk management in the home. As a result, opportunities to drive improvements in practice and to hold staff to account have been missed. Weak oversight has contributed directly to the shortfalls identified, and leaders have not recognised emerging concerns. These deficiencies in leadership and management arrangements mean that oversight of the care provided to children is poor.

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Findings from the inspection

Poor matching of children has had a significant impact on the children living in the home. This has led to an increase in incidents of conflict between the children, which has placed them at risk of harm. Some children report not feeling cared for and say that they do not feel safe in the home because they are not listened to. Leaders and managers have not prioritised the needs of the children and have failed to acknowledge or accept the impact that their decision-making has had on the children's overall experience and progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff have not responded to or addressed conflict between the children. Children have reported that they have been assaulted by each other on numerous occasions, with visible marks on their bodies. However, managers and staff are unaware of how children have sustained these marks and unaware of incidents due to there being no incident logs recorded.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff have not safeguarded the children effectively. There are significant concerns that safety plans for the children have not been consistently followed by the staff. Despite children requiring additional staff to support them, during the inspection it was observed that one child was left unsupervised. The child also confirmed that they do not always have sufficient members of staff to supervise them.

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Findings from the inspection

Children report that staff record them on video during incidents. The senior staff have confirmed that this practice is intended to protect themselves from potential allegations. While safeguarding staff is important, this approach infringes on children's privacy and dignity, particularly as it occurs without their consent. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2769384 3 Children brought to the inspector's attention that family members are working together in support worker roles in the home. The manager said that this was a one- off occasion when both staff members had worked together. However, there is no risk assessment or policy in place to manage situations where staff who are related or in a relationship work the same shift. In addition, children have confirmed that these staff members have worked together on multiple occasions, contrary to the manager's view.

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Findings from the inspection

Children report that staff had signed documentation using the registered manager's signature. When this was brought to the attention of the registered manager, they confirmed that they had not signed the document. This indicates that staff may have falsified the registered manager's signature without their knowledge or consent. These actions raise serious concerns about the accuracy and integrity of records and professional conduct.

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Findings from the inspection

During the inspection, it was observed that a senior member of staff addressed a child in a rude and dismissive tone. This interaction had a negative impact on the child as the child commented that they felt disrespected and unsupported. The registered manager did not adequately challenge the staff's action during the inspection, and the inspector had to intervene. This means that staff take little responsibility for their actions and children are not safeguarded. In addition, the lack of challenge by the registered manager means that there is limited action taken to address poor staff practice.

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Findings from the inspection

During the inspection, it was identified that a fire extinguisher was empty and had not been replaced. This means that the home is not adequately protected from potential fire, which places children and staff at risk.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have not ensured that complaints are addressed within the time frames set out in the home's complaints procedure. One complaint, where a child reported that they had been assaulted by another child, had not received a response within the required period. As a result, the child's concerns have not been addressed promptly, which has left them feeling unheard and that their views have not been taken seriously. This delay also raises concerns about the effectiveness of the home's safeguarding and complaints handling processes. Failing to respond to allegations of this nature in a timely manner leaves the child vulnerable.

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Findings from the inspection

As a result of the significant shortfalls found at this inspection, 2 compliance notices have been issued relating to regulation 12, the protection of children standard and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2769384 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/08/2025 Full Good 10/09/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2769384 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 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— that staff—

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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 necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)) 03 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

*The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires, and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. 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; ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications, and skills to meet the needs of 03 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2769384 6 each child; ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that they have oversight of all incidents involving the children.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children's 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;

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Requirement Due date

that each child's relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that a thorough assessment takes place before children move into the home, to consider if their needs can be met and how any known risks will be managed. This should take due consideration of other children already living in the home. The registered person must ensure that all relevant plans are adhered to by staff and taken into account by leaders and the manager. 03 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The children's views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children's care and welfare and their lives.

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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

ensure that staff— 03 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2769384 7 help each child to express views, wishes and feelings;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child's views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child;

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Requirement Due date

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home's care;

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Requirement Due date

is enabled to provide feedback to, and raise issues with, a relevant person about the support and services that the child receives. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iv)(b)(i))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children's home from abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that there is a policy in place and individual risk assessments for workers who are relatives or in relationships working at the home. 03 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2769384 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Cavendish House, Hoddesdon EN11 0LB

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Inspector

Sadia Akhtar, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2769384 9 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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