Children's Home run by North Star Children’s Homes Ltd in Windsor and Maidenhead

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2866399 1 Registered provider: North Star Children's Homes Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

This home is run by a private organisation. It can provide care for up to 5 children who experience mild learning disability, social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children's home

At the time of inspection, 2 children were living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children's home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 6 January 2026.

p.1

Information about this children's home

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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'. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2866399 2

p.1

Summary of findings

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Summary of findings

Three children have lived at the home since registration in January 2026. Children have benefitted from stable management and consistent staffing. This has resulted in children making progress from their starting points.

p.2

Summary of findings

Children have reduced risk taking behaviours. Children who previously experienced multiple placement endings have found increased stability. One child has had a positive move back to a fostering family.

p.2

Summary of findings

Staff are feeling positive and well supported by a manager whom they have confidence in.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The staff team is experienced and appropriately skilled, demonstrating the ability to support children with complex emotional and behavioural needs effectively.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staffing is stable within the home, with minimal reliance on agency staff and sufficient capacity to meet children's needs; however, recruitment delays have slowed down the homes ability to accept new referrals for children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff have a clear understanding of children's plans and goals. Children are making progress against agreed targets whether that be risk reduction, forming stable and lasting relationships with adults and in one case being able to return to fostering.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Early indications are that staff have been able to provide consistency and stability to children who have experienced a great deal of turbulence and change in their lives.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff show confidence and sound understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Staff receive effective safeguarding training. Children's needs are understood and staff talk confidently about how they are supporting children to make safe choices and reduce risk taking behaviours.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Despite children being considered to have high risks when they move into the home, the occurrence of difficult incidents has been relatively low. Staff and leaders have managed incidents well when they have occurred, reducing risk to children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff only use physical intervention as a last resort. On the two occasions staff have had to use intervention it was appropriate, short in duration and recorded clearly. Staff ensured that children were able to reflect on these incidents after and share any thoughts or concerns. The manager also effectively supported staff. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2866399 3 The registered manager can make clear comparisons between the risks children presented prior to moving in and a reduction since receiving support from staff at this home. Children who have moved several times before living at this home have shown that they can settle, make progress, and reduce their vulnerabilities.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The registered manager communicates well with safeguarding partners and ensures appropriate notifications are made following any incidents of concern.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Leadership and management arrangements at the home are stable and consistent. Staff say they feel well supported and confident in the manager.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The manager described consistent access to leadership support, including regular meetings and ongoing supervision, which has continued even during a period of absence for the responsible individual.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

While the registered manager acknowledges that senior leadership presence has not always been evenly distributed across homes, she is clear that this has not significantly undermined the level of support available to her when she needs it.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The registered manager presents as confident and able to express her professional judgement clearly to senior leaders. The registered manager has a strong voice and maintains clear boundaries regarding placement decisions, prioritising children's needs over occupancy pressures.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Overall, leadership oversight and management practice contribute to a stable, well- run service with a clear focus on safe, child-centred care. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2866399 4

p.3

Children's home details

Registered provider: North Star Children's Homes Ltd

p.4

Children's home details

Registered provider address: 14, David Mews, London W1U 6EQ

p.4

Inspectors

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Vicki Horton, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2866399 5 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.

p.4

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspectors

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5