Children's Home run by Beacon Childcare Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2620698 1

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a private provider and is registered to care for up to 4 children with emotional and behavioural needs. One child lives in the home, but they were at school at the time of the visit.

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This monitoring visit

On 7 and 8 April 2026, a full inspection of the home identified serious failings in safeguarding practice and significant weaknesses in leadership and management. As a result, Ofsted imposed a restriction on the admission of new children to the home. Two compliance notices were issued under regulation 12, the protection of children standard and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out to assess the provider’s adherence to the restriction of accommodation notice and the progress made by leaders in meeting the steps in the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is no longer working shifts, which gives him the time that he needs to focus on and undertake his management responsibilities more effectively.

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This monitoring visit

Monitoring systems and processes have been reviewed by leaders. Some new checks have been introduced including a manager’s monthly audit and some existing systems have been amended to support the manager to improve his oversight of the home and the quality of care provided to children.

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This monitoring visit

The managers improved oversight did identify some poor staff practice in the days following the last inspection. A staff member failed to support the child in line with the home’s therapeutic parenting model or the child’s agreed plan. The manager took prompt action to address the concerns and ensure that learning was identi- fied and shared. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2620698 2 The home environment has been enhanced. The rear garden is now safer for chil- dren, a broken window has been repaired, and damaged furniture has been re- moved, and some new furniture is being sourced. Internal redecoration has also taken place, making the home a more comfortable place for children to live.

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This monitoring visit

The child’s plans have been updated and include up to date information to sup- port effective risk management. While no significant incidents have occurred since the last inspection, staff demonstrate an understanding of how to reduce risk, in- cluding what to do if the child goes missing from the home. This indicates that staff are better prepared to support children. However, this has not yet been fully tested in practice.

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This monitoring visit

The skills and knowledge of staff have been reviewed. Individual personal devel- opment plans have been implemented to support continual staff development. In addition, staff have completed a range of training courses, including risk manage- ment and team working. Some training has been delivered by an external pro- vider and staff report that this has increased their knowledge to help them pro- vide better quality safe care to children.

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This monitoring visit

Staff feel more supported by leaders and a team building activity is being ar- ranged to improve staff morale. Staff have opportunities to discuss and reflect on their practice, and their newly acquired knowledge is being tested during supervi- sions and team meetings. This should help to improve practice to benefit children.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have improved their understanding of managing allegations to protect children. The manager and deputy manager have completed further training in this area. Protocols have been reviewed and agreed with the child’s social worker. This is to ensure that they are aligned with the child’s plan and the provider’s policy, providing clear guidance for safeguarding decision-making. While no allegations have been made since the last inspection and this learning has not yet been tested in practice, the manager reports increased confidence in this area.

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This monitoring visit

The two compliance notices are met; the restriction of accommodation notice was adhered to and has been lifted.

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This monitoring visit

Other requirements raised at the last inspection were not reviewed and will be considered at the next full inspection. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2620698 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/04/2026 Full Inadequate 02/09/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/04/2024 Full Good 10/10/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2620698 4

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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, 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

understand and apply the home's statement of purpose; ensure that staff— understand and apply the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child's welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking account of the child's background; (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children are cared for by staff who treat them with dignity and respect. Language used about children must be supportive and child- focused, helping them feel valued and to reach their full potential. 10 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child's placing authority effectively in the child's care, in accordance with the child's relevant plans seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child's needs; 10 May 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2620698 5 seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children's home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5(a)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that communication with children's families is effective, to keep them informed about the child's care and resolve any queries without delay.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2620698 6

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2620698 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Beacon Childcare Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 155 Bromford Lane, Erdington, Birmingham B24 8DJ

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Inspector

Amy Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2620698 8 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 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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