Children's Home run by The Beeches UK limited in Peterborough

Inspection report for children’s home: 2827491 1 Registered provider: The Beeches UK 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

This home is privately run and provides care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager left in September 2025. A new manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 21 October 2025

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2827491 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Full Serious or widespread concerns identified

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2827491 3

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Summary of findings

At the time of this inspection, no children were living in the home. One child moved out since the assurance inspection. This decision was taken following the outcome of the last inspection, alongside the child’s wishes and the local authority’s care plan to support a move closer to the child’s home area.

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Summary of findings

The home has benefitted from a new manager since the last full inspection, who has made some positive changes and addressed some of the previous shortfalls. This includes improvements in supervision arrangements and oversight of incidents. However, the child has not been appropriately or consistently safeguarded since the last inspection. Shortfalls were identified in staff practice, particularly around staff competence in how they support and monitor the child.

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improvement to be good

While the child made some progress, this was limited and not sustained. Staff spoke positively about the child and showed a caring approach. However, staff were unable to address aspects of the child’s behaviour effectively, including smoking and use of vapes. Some boundaries were promoted and key-work discussions took place, but these were not effective and lacked clear planning. Consequences and rewards were not used in a meaningful or structured way to support the child to make positive choices.

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improvement to be good

Staff developed some good relationships with the child and were able to engage them in aspects of daily life. Staff supported education using worksheets and life-skills activities, Attempts were made to engage the child in therapeutic support, although these were ultimately unsuccessful.

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improvement to be good

Staff encouraged the child to engage in activities. Although the child frequently declined, staff continued to offer opportunities and supported them to access activities outside the home, including trips to shops or restaurants, and attendance at a concert.

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improvement to be good

The child’s views were generally well considered. House meetings took place regularly and the child’s views were recorded. The child’s voice was also evident in other records, including key-work sessions and follow-up discussions after incidents.

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improvement to be good

Family relationships were promoted in line with care plans. Staff encouraged friendships and positive social connections and went to considerable lengths, including long-distance travel, to help maintain important relationships.

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improvement to be good

The home environment is suitable, and children’s bedrooms can be personalised. However, the child caused damage to their bedroom and to shared areas of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2827491 4 The garden and outdoor areas are due further improvement. There is an ongoing programme of maintenance and improvement which is yet to be completed.

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improvement to be good

Children are supported to keep safe, however, this has not been consistently effective. Staff knew the child well and had detailed risk assessments and support plans in place that covered relevant areas of need. When incidents occurred, staff generally understood how to respond. However, preventative or proactive safeguarding measures were not consistently effective.

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improvement to be good

Significant gaps in staff supervision and oversight resulted in occasions where the child was not adequately protected. This included incidents where the child was able to leave the home at night, gain unsupervised access to a mobile phone despite this being prohibited by his risk assessment, and take items without staff knowledge. On other occasions, the child was allowed access to items that placed them at risk of self-harm.

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improvement to be good

The home uses CCTV and external door alarms during the night to reduce the risk of children leaving the home unsupervised. However, on at least one occasion, this equipment was not functioning, and the child left the home without staff knowing. Although the manager has informed the placing authority about the use of surveillance and monitoring equipment, written consent could not be evidenced.

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improvement to be good

Physical interventions were used very infrequently. Records show that on the occasions where restraint techniques were used, they were necessary, proportionate, and justified. Management oversight was evident, and conversations took place afterwards with both staff and the child.

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improvement to be good

Safe recruitment procedures are in place. There has been one occasion where staff conduct fell below acceptable standards, the manager acted promptly, investigated, and implemented appropriate actions. Other minor shortfalls in staff practice have recently been addressed through supervision and better management oversight.

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improvement to be good

The child went missing on very few occasions. When staff knew the child was missing, they responded promptly and followed missing-from-care procedures appropriately. Records showed clear management oversight and follow-up work with the child after their return.

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improvement to be good

Room searches were undertaken when necessary. Records show that searches were justified and conducted carefully. The child was informed either at the time of the search or, on one occasion where this was not possible, at the soonest appropriate opportunity afterwards.

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improvement to be good

Health and safety standards are met, including fire safety arrangements. The location assessment is suitable and appropriately considers environmental risks. Inspection report for children’s home: 2827491 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Since the last full inspection, the home has experienced two changes of manager. These changes have had impact on leadership continuity although staff report that they have consistently felt supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

External feedback has generally not been positive. The placing authority raised concerns about several aspects of the child’s care, and similar concerns were expressed by a family member. Although the placing authorities commissioning service praised the home for supporting the child to move onto their new placement in a planned way, after they agreed to keep the child for longer than the initial notice period to allow a better transition.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The overall quality of recordings and reports are good, and management oversight and monitoring have improved since the current manager took up post. However, the home has not submitted a quality-of-care review to the regulator. This should be completed and submitted every six months, in line with requirements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The new manager presents as competent and demonstrates good insight into the challenges within the home. They show a clear commitment to improving the quality of care. The manager reports feeling supported by the responsible individual and senior leaders.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

New staff receive effective inductions, and there is a structured training programme in place. Staff spoke positively about the training they receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Supervision arrangements have improved. Staff now receive regular supervision and can access additional support when required. Supervision records are detailed and reflect a focus on reflective practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2827491 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, 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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; 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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 11 (1)(b) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure behaviour support plans are utilised which include relevant and realistic targets or goals for children, and proportionate rewards or consequences, to help children develop socially acceptable behaviour. 31 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 necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; 31 May 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2827491 7 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;

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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; and

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and that children are spoken to about their risks.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure written consent is given by the placing authority, and any electronic monitoring systems (such as alarms or CCTV) are functioning and operating as intended. 31 May 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should provide a nurturing, homely environment. In particular, ensure that the shared spaces and child’s bedroom are in good decorative order. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that a review is undertaken on the quality of care provided by the home at least every six months, and a system should be in place to allow for a report to be generated and submitted to Ofsted and each child’s placing authority. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 15.3) Inspection report for children’s home: 2827491 8

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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 for children’s home: 2827491 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Beeches UK limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: S B C H House, 212 Ballards Lane, London N3 2LX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michelle Robinson

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Inspector

Daniel Rankin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2827491 10 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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