Children's Home run by Sagewood House Limited in Hampshire

Inspection report children’s home: 2864562 1 Registered provider: Sagewood House Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in December 2025, and the registered manager has been in post since that time.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2864562 2

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Summary of findings

In a short space of time, the home has supported the child to settle in and make steady progress. The staff are aware of the child’s needs and they work collaboratively to ensure that these needs are met. Staff communicate effectively with external agencies and advocate to ensure that positive outcomes are achieved for the child. The manager is present within the home and has good oversight of the day-to-day arrangements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment where children feel safe and well cared for. The accommodation is maintained to a high standard throughout, with thoughtful decor that creates a calm, relaxed and homely atmosphere. The one child living at the home has been actively encouraged to personalise their bedroom and is meaningfully involved in decisions about the home, helping them to develop a sense of ownership and belonging. Plans are in place to further enhance the large garden area, including the development of additional storage and spaces for children to sit, relax and play.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved in since the home opened. Their move was carefully planned, with thorough consideration given to the child’s individual needs. The manager and staff have demonstrated their ability to meet these needs effectively. The child has settled well and is making steady progress. The manager is highly child focused and advocates strongly on the child’s behalf, working collaboratively with external professionals to review whether the home’s location best supports the child’s long-term wishes and outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been informed of their right to access an independent advocate, should they wish. Although this has not yet been required, the manager and staff are proactive and committed to ensuring advocacy is sought promptly if needed. Staff and leaders consistently demonstrate strong advocacy for the child, ensuring that their best interests remain central to practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is regularly and creatively supported to express their views, wishes and feelings, which are taken seriously and clearly influence care planning, daily routines, activities and meal choices. Staff make effective use of everyday interactions to ensure that the child feels listened to and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Although the child was away on holiday during the inspection, staff maintained positive and ongoing communication with them, to which the child responded well. Staff spoke warmly and insightfully about the child and showed genuine commitment and enthusiasm in supporting them to achieve positive outcomes.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Inspection report children’s home: 2864562 3 The child’s health and safety are given high priority in the home. Managers ensure that staff and the child understand potential risks in the environment and the child is supported to take appropriate steps to remain safe. Regular emergency evacuation drills are undertaken, helping the child and staff to respond confidently and effectively, should an emergency arise.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When accidents or injuries occur, the child receives appropriate care and support. Records are completed accurately and consistently, demonstrating staff attention to the child’s welfare and the importance of learning from incidents.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff take a realistic and informed approach to responding to substance misuse, focusing on harm reduction rather than enforcement alone. They work with the child to promote an understanding of the associated risks and to support safer decision-making.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been no complaints made or received since the home opened. The child has been provided with clear information about how to make a complaint through the children’s guide and welcome packs, which include accessible complaint forms. Staff and managers are open and transparent in their practice, and parents report feeling confident to raise any concerns, should they arise.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff use consequences effectively to help the child to reflect on their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. These are applied consistently and proportionately. Financial consequences and rewards are used appropriately, supporting the child to understand the impact of their choices, while also recognising positive achievements. This consistent approach provides clear boundaries, helping the child to feel safe and secure.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child has not gone missing from home since they moved in. On occasions when the child has left the home without permission or earlier than agreed, staff have maintained contact and oversight, with the child’s whereabouts known. Individual free-time agreements are agreed with the child, ensuring their views are respected, while carefully managing the risks.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Access to the internet is appropriate to the child’s age and level of understanding. Before being given access, the child completed internet safety workbooks, supporting them to develop awareness of online risks and strategies for staying safe. Staff carry out regular checks to ensure that the child remains protected and is not accessing unsuitable content.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s safety is central to staff practice. When the child experiences heightened emotions, staff respond calmly and sensitively, demonstrating a strong understanding of their needs. As a result of this proactive and relational approach, physical intervention has not been required. Incidents have reduced since the home opened, reflecting the Inspection report children’s home: 2864562 4 ability of staff to identify causes, adapt their responses and learn from reflective reviews of incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders ensure that new staff receive a thorough and well-structured induction. This includes completion of all mandatory training and time to read and understand children’s plans, records and key documentation. Staff benefit from a planned shadowing process, which supports them to build relationships with children in a safe and reassuring way, alongside experienced and trusted staff. Leaders demonstrate a clear commitment to ensuring that staff deployed within the home are well matched to the needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although feedback from parents and professionals has been limited to date, responses received are positive. Those providing feedback report that the child has settled well and that communication from staff at the home is effective and appropriate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a visible, approachable and highly committed manager who is focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children. Staff speak very positively about the manager and value the high levels of support, guidance and encouragement they receive. The manager has developed a warm, nurturing culture and is dedicated to building strong relationships with children. Effective monitoring systems are in place, enabling leaders to identify strengths in the home, alongside areas for development. The manager clearly understands the importance of partnership working and proactively engages with health, education, social care professionals and therapists to ensure that children’s needs are met holistically.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they enjoy working at the home and feel well supported by managers and colleagues. They work in a calm, consistent and caring manner, which helps the child to feel safe, secure and understood. Staff use clear boundaries, reflective practice and relationship-based approaches to support the child’s behaviour and daily routines effectively. The child is encouraged and supported to develop independence in ways that are meaningful and appropriate to their individual needs. This consistent approach contributes to a stable, positive environment in which the child is able to thrive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision is undertaken regularly, and the manager intends to undertake annual appraisals. Supervision provides structured opportunities for reflection, enabling staff to review their practice, consider the impact of their work on the child and identify areas for professional development and progression. Staff describe supervision as meaningful and supportive, providing a safe space to reflect openly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and are used effectively to share learning, reflect on practice and promote consistency of care. Staff contributions are actively encouraged and captured, ensuring that all team members feel valued and involved in the ongoing development of the home. Inspection report children’s home: 2864562 5 Leaders ensure that staff have access to a wide range of training opportunities, which enhance their knowledge and understanding of how best to meet children’s needs. This supports staff to help children overcome barriers and make sustained progress. As the home and staff team are newly established, plans are in place to enrol staff onto the level 3 qualification once probationary periods have been successfully completed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report children’s home: 2864562 6

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This 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’. Inspection report children’s home: 2864562 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sagewood House Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Morse Road, Winchester SO22 6GQ

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Inspector

Vicki Horton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2864562 8 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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