Children's Home run by Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2608872 1 Registered provider: Northamptonshire Children's Trust Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2020.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living at the home, and their views were considered.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2608872 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/08/2025 Full Good 15/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2608872 3

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Summary of findings

This inspection was brought forward to address specific concerns received by Ofsted. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate such matters, actions taken by the setting in response were considered alongside the other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors. Two children were living at the home at the time of the inspection, and they were met by inspectors. Findings were that children are making progress and being well supported in preparing for moves from what is a specialised home for short- to medium-term placements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children's home is well presented and inviting. Adults maintain a high level of care to the environment that children live in, and it feels homely. There are photos of adults and children on walls enjoying positive time together. Adults promote a busy and friendly atmosphere, and children respond positively to this. The garden is a positive space that children use. However, it would benefit from some discarded items being removed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences of moving into and out of the home. This is carefully planned and supported. Transition plans are thorough and effective. Support for children extends beyond their time in the home and is naturally afforded by adults. The manager ensures that children only move from the home when they are ready. Adults work collaboratively with new providers to share knowledge and practice. This helps to prevent future placements from breaking down.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with a group of adults who know them well. Children are encouraged to have interests and hobbies, and they enjoy a range of activities. They are encouraged to try new things. One child attends guitar lessons and another is developing their keen interest in football. Children are supported and encouraged to build and maintain friendships with peers. Adults believe in children being active. The routine of the home has a positive impact on children's wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children are in full-time education, and attendance is high. There is good communication with both schools. The manager leads a culture of promoting the importance of education in improving options for children. When children move to the home and need a school place, this is pursued with determination by adults so that children do not fall behind. Children are in good health and access services when needed. Counselling for one child has been positive for their development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to see the people who are important to them. One professional commented on how proactive adults have been in advocating for them seeing their sibling. The other child has been supported to establish a relationship with an older sibling and is excited about the common ground and interests that they share. This Inspection report for children's home: 2608872 4 emphasis on networks for children is particularly important as they move forward. The manager has identified key adults that are skilled and experienced in working with families and building relationships.

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

Adults know and understand children's risks. Children have clear safety plans in place. Plans are updated following incidents or when things become less of a concern. There are systems in place to monitor children's online activity and use of social media. Children engage positively in this process of making sure their activity is safe.

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

Children do not go missing from home, and there have been no incidents of this since the last inspection. Staff spoken to said what they would do if children did go missing. However, there is a lack of clear protocol for staff should this happen. Staff do not have a guide to ensure a consistent, timely and proportionate response to this risk.

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

There is an effective and progressive approach to how children are supported with their behaviours and emotional responses. Children are appropriately challenged around poor behaviour. There is an emphasis on reward over consequence with children, which is effective. Recognised models of care and support are embedded in staff practice. However, some specific behaviours are not recognised in children's plans. This means staff do not have an agreed plan to work from. For these behaviours, managers do not have a point of review and development to work from.

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

Incidents of children being restrained are rare. When staff do physically intervene, this is done safely and as a last resort. Staff are trained in how to intervene. Incidents are thoroughly and clearly recorded. There is robust oversight and review when a child is held. Reasons and justification for restraint are fully explored. Staff and children are always given opportunities to talk and reflect after incidents and to repair relationships when affected.

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

When children have made allegations, there has been an appropriate and timely response from adults. All the required professionals are referred to and involved. In relation to one concern raised, more thorough communication with professionals is required to ensure that information had been received for them to consider. This was addressed without delay during the inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced and dedicated manager. They have high expectations for children making progress and achieving positive outcomes. The manager speaks highly of children and knows them well. They celebrate the positive aspects of their characters and talents, reinforcing the ethos of the team. Leaders have good knowledge around children's previous experiences and how these shape the care they require. Inspection report for children's home: 2608872 5 The manager knows the strengths of the workforce. They are aware of areas for improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff across all roles speak highly of the manager. They say that they could not feel more supported. They feel that the manager is present and always available. Staff enjoy working in the home and feel valued and connected in their approach to supporting children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager promotes a proactive approach to staff achieving the required qualification to work in residential care. Staff receive the required training to carry out their roles. There are some areas of training, relating to children's specific needs, that have not yet been explored, which the manager acknowledges.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Some records and care plans require some review to ensure that the good care being provided, and the areas of good practice, are captured, but also to ensure a consistent approach for new and existing staff with varied experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and leaders are effective in challenging services when they are not meeting children's needs. Professionals see this approach as acceptable and in the best interests of children. The manager knows when and how to involve children's advocacy services to ensure that their rights and voice are consistently supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are good working relationships with professionals. Professionals all speak highly of the team. They feel that children receive good care and staff are attuned to their needs. One professional said, 'If I could move this team to where the child hopes to live that would be the ideal option.' Inspection report for children's home: 2608872 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 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

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)(b)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to children's plans accurately reflecting all areas in which they require support so that staff have consistent guidance to follow and plans can be developed and reviewed as children's needs change. 30 September 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person must specify the procedures to be followed and the roles and responsibilities of staff when a child is missing from care or away from the home without permission and how staff should support the child on return to the home. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 45, paragraph 9.28) Inspection report for children's home: 2608872 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: 2608872 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Northamptonshire Children's Trust Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN1 1ED

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Inspectors

Chris Haines, Social Care Inspector Genevieve O'Reilly, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2608872 9 regulates and inspects 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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