Children's Home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2812610 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd 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. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

An interim manager is in post. They have applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: 14 October 2025

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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: 2812610 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/10/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2812610 3

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Summary of findings

Children receive care from staff who are committed to them. The staff use a preferred and well-embedded therapeutic model of care. Staff understand the children’s experiences and respond sensitively to their needs. This helps children feel safe and well supported. Children are encouraged to develop independence while clear boundaries promote safety and wellbeing. Positive behaviour support and reflective direct-work sessions with staff contribute to children making progress. Leaders demonstrate appropriate oversight and continue to promote stable and nurturing experiences for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm, welcoming and well maintained. Children’s photos and evidence of their achievements are displayed throughout. Children are actively encouraged to personalise and decorate their bedrooms. However, a balance is needed between promoting individuality and maintaining appropriate standards of accommodation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities relating to their interests. One child likes the skate park and playing football. Staff celebrate children’s birthdays and important events. One child takes pride in helping to decorate the home for celebrations. This helps them feel included and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff have a good understanding of children’s health and emotional needs. Children’s past experiences are considered by the manager and a therapeutic professional. Staff receive bespoke training before children move into the home. Staff have the skills and understanding to meet children’s individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop skills for independent living. Staff encourage practical tasks such as cooking and household chores. One child was observed building their own bed. Staff are encouraging the child’s interests in carpentry and construction.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have tutors for core education. Following formal learning, staff encourage children to complete online courses. One child obtained certificates in food safety, customer service and first aid. Staff support children to make good progress from their starting points from when they move into the home. One child was offered a place in mainstream education after being out of school for several years.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure children spend meaningful time with their families. When children stay overnight with family members, staff complete wellbeing checks. Staff understand the emotional impact family time can have, and they offer support before and after visits. Inspection report for children’s home: 2812610 4

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

The staff undertake individual key-work sessions with children, and these include both proactive and reactive interventions that are designed to keep them safe. Planned sessions help children explore identity and emotions and support children who are working towards independent living. The manager ensures that written records are reflective and capture learning following any incidents. Staff consider children’s behaviours and their own responses, using their chosen therapeutic model. This is shared with a psychologist at monthly team meetings to learn lessons for the future.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff follow safeguarding procedures consistently. External professionals are informed promptly. Staff actively attempt to maintain contact with children and support their safe return.

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

The manager and staff use a positive behaviour support approach to help children manage their behaviour. Emphasis is placed on rewards and recognising achievements rather than consequences. One child has a reward box and a positive praise book. Staff provide clear and consistent boundaries that help children feel safe and supported.

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

One child managed to climb onto a single-storey roof. This placed the child at risk of harm. This is a known risk, and the child’s behaviour management plan has not been updated. This is a known risk, and the child’s behaviour management plan has not been updated to guide staff responses and reduce any future risk of the child being at height.

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

Staff promote children’s safe and responsible use of technology. Mobile phone agreements are proportionate, and monitoring and Wi-Fi restrictions help children understand safety expectations. This gradually develops independence and responsibility in line with children’s assessed needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff describe positive improvements since the appointment of the current manager. Staff feel supported and listened to. The manager is a good role model for staff and is clear about the expectations for the standards of care required. The manager is visible to staff and the child. Staff know the child well and they have positive relationships with them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children’s voices are heard in weekly meetings using a child-friendly questionnaire. The manager also meets one child formally every Friday. The current child contributed 10 questions for staff interviews. These included, ‘What would you do if a young person did not want to talk to you?’ and ‘What kinds of things do you enjoy doing in your free time?’ Children are encouraged to contribute to the running of the home, and their views are valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders completed a reflective review following the ending of one child’s placement. This was to identify learning and inform future practice. However, some staff responses were Inspection report for children’s home: 2812610 5 omitted and addressed through personal supervision. This limits the learning and reliability of the reflection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Complaints from the community remain an area for ongoing reflection. The manager has taken steps to address concerns. Children are helped to understand the impact of their behaviour on others. Inspection report for children’s home: 2812610 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 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

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; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to ensuring behaviour management plans and risk assessments clearly identify known risks to children accessing roofs or high places and that they provide staff with clear guidance and strategies to manage and reduce these risks safely. 1 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2812610 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: 2812610 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Susie Vere, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2812610 9 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 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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