Children's Home run by Semi-independent House Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1259547 1 Registered provider: Semi-independent House Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation and provides care for up to 3 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home. The inspector spoke with both children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022.

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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

Date of last inspection: 30 September 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1259547 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/09/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/04/2024 Full Good 29/06/2023 Full Good 21/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1259547 3

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Summary of findings

Since the last inspection, the manager has made notable improvements in all areas. Staff provide consistent care, which results in children being happy and settled. Children benefit from a caring and supportive environment where they make good progress. Children are safeguarded effectively. Relationships between the staff and children are a strength of the home, as are good leadership and a committed staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

No children have moved into or out since the last inspection. The home environment is calm and predictable.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with staff. Staff are caring, nurturing and fun. Children enjoy playing board games and baking with staff. Staff provide comfort and reassurance when children feel unwell. Children enjoy spending time with staff who genuinely care about them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made good progress in education. Neither child was in education before moving to the home. Staff understand the barriers to learning and provide effective support. One child receives tuition and attends alternative provision, preparing him for a return to full-time education. The other child has attended a specialist school full time since September 2025. Children are supported in learning at a pace that is appropriate for their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are met effectively. They receive support from specialist healthcare professionals. One child’s sleep has significantly improved following a review of his support needs. Both children access regular therapy to help them understand their life experiences. One child also receives input from specialist paediatricians to ensure that his health is closely monitored.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy caring for and spending time with pets, including walking staff members’ dogs. This supports their emotional wellbeing and sense of responsibility. Children are also encouraged to develop age-appropriate independence skills, which include cooking, growing fruit and vegetables, and spending independent time in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff create monthly newsletters that include photos and written summaries of celebrations, activities and achievements. They are shared with family members and professionals and provide a meaningful record of children’s experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities, including football, visits to country parks and day trips. One child spoke proudly about building confidence in ice skating. However, one child does not consistently engage in meaningful activities. During these periods, staff have not always used key-work sessions or creative strategies to promote engagement. Inspection report for children’s home: 1259547 4 The home is welcoming and has a strong family atmosphere. Staff and children enjoy spending quality time together while baking, talking and laughing. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their preferences. However, some areas of the home require improvement. The hallway wall is marked, and the stair carpet on the upper landing is worn and stained and requires replacement.

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

Staff receive appropriate safeguarding training and demonstrate a clear understanding of how to keep children safe. Children feel safe in the home, and social workers express confidence in the staff team’s ability to safeguard them.

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

Staff rarely use physical intervention, with just 2 incidents requiring such action since the last inspection. The measures used were proportionate and necessary. Staff understand that physical intervention should only be employed as a final measure, and instead, they adopt a therapeutic approach to behaviour management.

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

There has been a significant reduction in unwanted behaviour, both in frequency and severity. Staff understand how to support children who display challenging behaviours. Staff have worked hard to help children learn how to manage difficult emotions safely. Behaviour management is effective.

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

One medication error has occurred. This did not affect the child’s health. The manager responded promptly and appropriately. Staff received additional training, and improvements to practice have been implemented. There have been no further errors.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has high expectations of staff and is an excellent role model. She is well supported by a competent deputy manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they feel well supported and valued. One member of staff said, ‘I cannot fault the manager’s support.’ Staff also report improved consistency in the team, with one saying, ‘We work well together now and have nailed consistency.’ Staff morale is high.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from training and development opportunities. Most staff hold a relevant level 3 residential care qualification or are working towards one within the necessary timescales. One staff member has been given an extension for exceptional circumstances and is being appropriately supported in achieving the qualification. Some staff are also progressing towards level 5 qualifications. The manager is committed to staff development, contributing to a skilled and resilient team that provides high-quality care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children benefit from a committed staff team. There has been no staff turnover since the last inspection. A recent vacancy has been successfully filled. Familiar agency staff have Inspection report for children’s home: 1259547 5 been used occasionally to maintain consistency while recruitment checks were carried out.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from professionals is positive. One social worker said, ‘Staff all go above and beyond. They have worked wonders with the child.’ Social workers report that children have made excellent progress. They describe the staff team as ‘proactive’ and highlight strong communication and effective professional relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent visitor’s monthly reports are of good quality. The manager has recently changed the independent visitor to promote fresh scrutiny and support continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has not yet attained the required level 5 leadership qualification within the necessary time frame. Recent delays have occurred due to circumstances beyond her control, including a change in training provider. However, she is working towards successful completion. This requirement is restated from the last inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1259547 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

A person may only manage a children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children—

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Requirement Due date

the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(i), a person has the appropriate experience and qualification if the person has—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 5 Diploma”).

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Requirement Due date

in the case of a person who starts managing a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 3 years after the date on which that person started managing a home. (Regulation 28 (1)(b)(i) (2)(c)(i) (3)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated from the previous inspection. 31 October 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should provide a nurturing environment. In particular, ensure that carpet is replaced where necessary and the hallway wall is kept clean or repainted as required. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)  The registered person should ensure that staff are creative in encouraging children to consistently participate in activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.5) Inspection report for children’s home: 1259547 7

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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: 1259547 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Semi-independent House Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 51 Ploverly, Peterborough PE4 6HZ

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1259547 9 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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