Children's Home run by Homes Care Group Limited in Leicester

Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 1 Registered provider: Homes Care Group 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 owned. It is registered to provide care for up to 3 children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection and was on a school holiday abroad and could not be spoken with.

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Information about this children's home

The registered manager has been in post since October 2025.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: n/a

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 2

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Summary of findings

The home was registered in October 2025, and this was its first inspection. Serious concerns have been identified that compromises the safety of the child. The home lacks effective systems to support manager's oversight. Staff have not received child-specific training within the required appropriate timescales. This limits their ability to respond effectively to the child's needs. As a result, staff do not consistently demonstrate the necessary skills and knowledge in their care practice and this places the child at risk of harm.

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Summary of findings

Staff have not demonstrated professional curiosity or confidence in having difficult conversations with the child to explore potential concerns. This further undermines safeguarding practice and the staff's ability to protect and promote the child's welfare.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Prior to the child moving into the home, the local authority shared information about the child's presenting needs and risks. The manager did not actively explore this information nor make further enquiries. The manager and leaders had not considered if the skills or knowledge of the staff were sufficient to provide good care to the child. Despite this, the manager was of the view that the home was a suitable placement for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff have worked hard to establish a good relationship with the child. They have encouraged them to follow a daily routine and have continued to do so, even when the child has not been responsive to their requests. At times, the staff have focused on maintaining their relationship with the child rather than have difficult conversations with the child. Consequently, they are less able to implement effective boundaries with the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff have undertaken some direct work with the child. Prior to doing this, they have not been provided with any training that prepares them to approach this sensitive work. Therefore, staff have not been able to explore issues fully with the child. The manager has not had any oversight of these sessions, meaning that staff have not received any feedback or guidance on their approach to the work. When the child has engaged in the direct work, their voice has not been captured, and staff do not explore the child's understanding of the topic they are exploring.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Feedback from staff, parents and social worker highlights that when the child moved into the home there was a positive change in their presentation. Through staff encouragement, the child started to attend school more regularly. The child appeared to enjoy spending time with staff and together they would participate in activities or go for a meal together. More recently the child has started to refuse activities offered and instead chosen to spend more time with peers. Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 3

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

The initial risk assessment that was completed when the child moved to the home is very detailed and captures all known risks and vulnerabilities. However, the manager has not explored the implications for the child, the home and staff. The current risk assessment fails to highlight some specific risks that the child presents. This means that staff are not fully equipped with the knowledge they need to safeguard the child.

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

The child has a history of being involved in criminal exploitation and this continues to be a difficulty for them. However, staff have not taken the opportunity to be curious with the child about items in their possession and how he came to have them. There was also an incident where the child asked for a taxi to be arranged so he could be taken to an address. Staff did not explore who lived at the address or why he wanted to go there. The taxi was arranged for the child without staff exploring the possible safety implications for the child.

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

The child has been missing from home. Staff followed procedures and notified relevant professionals. The staff spoke with the child's parents throughout the incident. The child remained out of the home all night, but staff were not proactive in trying to keep in contact with the child.

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

Staff have failed to recognise safeguarding issues when they arise. A serious incident occurred in the home and staff failed to notify the police. Another professional had to prompt them to report the incident to the police. When they did, it was via a mobile phone message and no reply was received and no further attempts were made to contact the police by staff.

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

The child did not have an opportunity to participate in a fire drill until they had lived in the home for several weeks. It would have been beneficial for the child to undertake a drill as soon as possible, so they know how to respond when the alarm sounds.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager expressed a clear ambition for the child to achieve positive outcomes and improve their life chances. However, this has not been achieved. There is lack of guidance from the manager to staff in relation to their care practice and in the best way to support the child. There is minimal oversight and ineffective support systems that means the child is not making the expected progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

When staff join the organisation, they follow a structured induction programme. However, this has not been implemented consistently. Not all staff have completed an induction when commencing work in the home, where it has taken place, it has not always been appropriately signed off by a manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff are not receiving professional supervision in line with the organisation's policy. The quality and frequency of supervision is inconsistent, and some staff do not benefit from purposeful or reflective discussions about their care practice. This is a missed Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 4 opportunity for managers to effectively monitor staff performance, ensure that children's needs are being met, and provide the guidance and support necessary for staff to carry out their roles effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

An electronic case management system has recently been introduced, and staff are not yet fully competent in using this. Documents are being stored in various places. When documents are updated, there is no clear process in place to ensure that these are shared with staff and that they have read them. This means that staff do not have the most up to date information to support their care of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The managers have not ensured that staff complete their mandatory training when they start their roles. In addition, subsequent training to meet the child's particular needs has been delayed in being arranged. Therefore, staff are caring for a child without essential knowledge relating to their presenting needs and how to respond to them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has not been proactive in ensuring that they provide oversight of incidents, preventing lessons from being learnt. Staff are not supported to be professionally curious and continue to respond to the child using the same approaches.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

A member of staff raised a concern about a potential conduct issue relating to a colleague. The manager failed to explore this issue further instead choosing to speak to the team about expectations when in work. The absence of a robust investigation into such matters could place children, staff and the home at risk

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Ofsted have not been made aware when serious incidents have occurred, preventing Ofsted as the regulator from having an awareness of risks and actions being taken to keep children safe. Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 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 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—

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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;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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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;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager needs to ensure that all the child's documents contain the most up to date information and captures all known risks. Staff need to receive and continually develop their knowledge regarding safeguarding 03 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 6 topics and what that means for the child in their care. In addition, the manager through their oversight of the home, must ensure that staff explore and take action when safeguarding risks arise.

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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

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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

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;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that they develop and maintain effective and efficient systems within the home. These systems need to support the manager in their oversight of the home. In addition, the manager must identify and provide appropriate training for the staff in a timely manner. 03 Aug 2026

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. 03 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 7 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

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and that each child's relevant plans are followed;

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Requirement Due date

that the child's placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child's relevant plans is requested, if—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child's needs; (Regulation 14(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(ii)(c)(e)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that they assess the needs of the child and thoroughly explore if the staff team have the skills and knowledge to care for that child. Furthermore, the manager needs to continually assess if he home is able to meet the child's current or emerging needs and if not request a review of the child's plan.

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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

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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; 03 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 8 encourage each child to take responsibility for the child's behaviour, in accordance with the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child's behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child's age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child's respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children's previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation11(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(b)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager needs to ensure that when a child moves into the home, staff have open and honest conversations with the child and have the skills to undertake difficult conversations with them and ensure all safeguard issues are always explored.

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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

engage with them; and 03 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 9 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

ascertain and consider each child's views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child's best interests when making decisions about the child's care and welfare;

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Requirement Due date

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. (Regulation 7(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that staff have the necessary skills engage the child in undertaking individual sessions regarding specific topics. In addition, staff must seek and record the child's wishes and feelings regarding the care.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or 03 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 10 there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to the registered manager ensuring that notifications are sent when a serious event takes place and are done so within a timely manner.

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children feel and be safe. When children move into the home, as a priority, they need to be advised and shown what to do in an event of a fire. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 43, paragraph 9.9)

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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: 2837245 11

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Homes Care Group Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 2 Springfield Road, LEICESTER LE2 3BA

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Inspector

Lizette Watts, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2837245 12 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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