Children's Home run by Skylight 21 Homes Limited in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 1 Registered provider: Skylight 21 Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This multi-building children’s home is run by a private company to provide care, in 2 properties, for up to 6 children who may require support with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The setting and the manager registered with Ofsted in December 2025. This is the first inspection. The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in one property and one child at another at the time of the inspection. Three children were spoken to during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 2

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Summary of findings

Some children have made some progress. However, risks are not consistently understood, assessed or managed. Leaders have not ensured that staff are sufficiently trained, experienced and skilled to support and meet children’s needs. Staff have not followed safeguarding procedures when a concern has been raised about a child’s welfare. Clear protocols are not in place to help staff understand how to report and investigate safeguarding concerns in a timely manner. Leaders have not ensured that staff are clearly guided by children’s risk management plans or that these reflect increased risks to children. They have not ensured that all incidents at the home are reviewed to evaluate staff practice during incidents when children are at risk. They have not sufficiently identified or explored shortfalls in care practices and have not taken steps to improve the quality of care provided to children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Some children are making progress. One child has experienced a reduction in incidents, has started engaging with some level of education and is beginning to form positive relationships with staff. One child has experienced a positive move into the home. Staff have supported the child to settle, to feel more comfortable and to begin to open up to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

For other children, progress is limited. There is little evidence that other children living in the home are making meaningful progress. Their experiences have stalled. This is linked to a lack of education, limited daily structure and inconsistent routines. There is also insufficient focus on preparing children for adulthood, which limits their opportunities to develop independence skills and make progress in line with their age and needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Care-planning documents are in place. However, these are not reviewed and updated regularly enough. Some plans are unwieldy and contain outdated information. This makes it harder for staff to identify children’s current needs and risks and the strategies required to support them effectively. Positive behaviour support plans are similarly not updated consistently, which reduces their usefulness in guiding staff practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff have warm, playful and positive interactions with children. These interactions show that some staff build nurturing relationships with children. However, staff’s knowledge of children’s needs, risks and care plans is inconsistent across the homes. This means that children do not always receive care that is informed, consistent or fully responsive to their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Some records are not written in child-focused language. At times, records appear to apportion blame to children rather than clearly considering the reasons behind their Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 3 behaviour, their lived experiences or the support they require from adults. This does not promote a reflective or therapeutic approach to understanding children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The environment has not been maintained effectively. One child’s bedroom was particularly untidy and had areas that were unsanitary due to droppings from pets being present on the floor. In one property, damage to the home has not been repaired in a timely way. This included areas where wires have been left exposed, which presents a potential risk to children. Despite these concerns, the homes were welcoming and had a family-home feel. Children’s bedrooms are personalised in line with their interests, preferences and identity. Photos of children are displayed.

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

Risks to children are not consistently understood or managed effectively by staff. Some specific, significant risks are not clearly set out in children’s risk assessments. As a result, staff are not sufficiently clear about how to respond should these risks arise. Staff have not received risk-specific training in these areas, which could seriously compromise their ability to respond quickly and effectively in a crisis. Some staff have not yet completed safeguarding training. Overall, children are not consistently protected by adults who have the knowledge and skills required to keep them safe.

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

Some specific risks are not well understood, particularly in the context of the child’s personal history and traumatic childhood experiences. There is no clear risk assessment in place that identifies the nature of the risk, the potential triggers or the actions staff should take to reduce harm. It is also unclear whether relevant professionals have been made aware of the concerns and whether there is a shared plan in place to support and safeguard the child.

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

Risks relating to children going missing from the home are not sufficiently individualised. Risk assessments do not clearly set out the actions staff should take if a child is missing or absent from the home. This means that staff do not have clear guidance to follow, and responses to missing-from-care incidents are likely to be inconsistent. This weakens safeguarding practice and does not ensure that children are protected at times of increased vulnerability.

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

The recording and management of incidents are not consistently effective. Incidents where children have been physically moved by staff do not provide sufficient detail. Consequences given to children are not always suitable or directly linked to the incident. For example, children have received consequences following episodes of them going missing when the police have been involved. This approach does not show sufficient understanding of children’s vulnerability or the reasons behind their behaviour.

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

Complaints and allegations are not managed consistently or within appropriate timescales in line with the home’s policy. One allegation made by a child about experiences outside of the home was not reported appropriately, resulting in a Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 4 significant delay before the matter was addressed and shared with safeguarding partners. This is a serious shortfall, as delays in responding to allegations can leave children at risk and undermine confidence in the safeguarding arrangements.

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

Staff do not always take effective action when safeguarding concerns are identified. For example, staff were aware that a child had been speaking to an unknown male in a concerning manner on social media. Despite this, no action was taken for 2 weeks after the risk was identified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leadership and management are ineffective. Very soon after registration, the full-time responsible individual left and a part-time responsible individual has since been appointed. There is ineffective management oversight across both homes. Leaders and managers do not have consistent oversight of key areas of practice. Leaders and managers at all levels have missed serious safeguarding concerns. As a result, there is ineffective scrutiny of practice, and significant concerns are not being identified or addressed quickly enough.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There is a lack of suitably experienced and qualified staff to meet children’s needs safely and consistently. Staff say that they do not always receive the training, guidance or management support they need to manage children’s complex behaviours and risks in a timely manner. There have been significant delays in ensuring that staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to keep children and themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Training gaps are significant. One child has shown an escalation in specific behaviours since December. Despite this, staff have not received corresponding training. During the inspection, the deputy manager signed staff on to online training. Further gaps include some staff not having completed safeguarding or physical intervention training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not consistently use incidents as opportunities for reflection, learning and improvement. There are gaps in management follow-up with both staff and children after incidents. Sufficient action has not been taken when risks to children have been identified. Staff working across both homes do not always know children’s individual needs, risks or the actions required to keep them safe. This is made worse by risk management plans that do not provide staff with clear or complete guidance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Notifications to Ofsted are not completed in line with regulatory requirements, resulting in serious safeguarding incidents being unreported or significantly delayed. Incidents involving self-harm, suicidal ideation and serious episodes of children going missing have not been notified at all, and where notifications have been submitted, many have been delayed by over a month. Information within notifications is inconsistent, incomplete or differs from the details recorded elsewhere in children’s files. Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 5 Management support is inconsistent and is not yet embedded across the staff team. Feedback from staff is mixed. Some spoke of a lack of support while others said that they feel supported by leaders and managers and find them approachable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Managers were receptive to feedback and agreed with the areas of concern identified. Some issues had already been recognised by managers, and there is evidence that changes are being considered to improve children’s care and safety. The manager knows the children well and is supported by the deputy managers, but this has not yet translated into effective management oversight or consistently safe practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 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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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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help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)) 19 June 2026

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Requirement Due date

*The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and 19 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 7 promotes their welfare.

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In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; 19 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 8 the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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a description of the measure and its duration;

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details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(b) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that if any intervention with a child that involves restricting their movement or liberty occurs, it is clearly recorded and has had appropriate management scrutiny.

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

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

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

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In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 19 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 9 understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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treat each child with dignity and respect;

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provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

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help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice; (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

In particular: Ensure children are supported to prepare for their adulthood emotionally and through education and support. Ensure children are supported to develop their independence and take age-appropriate safe risk. Ensure that plans for children are regularly updated and in line with their current needs.

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The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans; 19 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 10 support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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promote opportunities for each child to learn informally. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v))

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In particular: Ensure children are being supported with routine and structure regarding their education, learning and development. Ensure that opportunities are provided to children to informally engage with education and support their development.

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The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c)(e)) 19 June 2026

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* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used should be restorative and appropriate and not used as a consequence when children go missing from care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38) Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 11

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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: 2870977 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Skylight 21 Homes Limited

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Inspectors

Eleanor Quanbrough, Social Care Inspector Caroline Coop, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2870977 13 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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