Children's Home run by Champions Childrens Homes (Smiles) Ltd in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 1 Registered provider: Champions Childrens Homes (Smiles) Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in January 2026 and provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, no children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2026.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 2

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Summary of findings

Children’s experiences and progress are affected by weaknesses in care planning, safeguarding practice and leadership oversight. The child did not experience sufficiently well-planned transitions and made limited progress from their starting point, particularly in relation to education. While staff developed positive relationships with the child and promoted their wellbeing through activities, care was not consistently delivered in a nurturing, child-centred environment. Safeguarding arrangements require strengthening. Management oversight of incidents, complaints and safeguarding practice is inconsistent, and opportunities to learn from incidents are not always maximised. The child’s views are not consistently captured or used to inform care planning and practice. Leaders and managers have not yet established a stable and confident workforce. Weaknesses in supervision, staff support and quality assurance have contributed to inconsistencies in

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Summary of findings

practice. Nevertheless, leaders have recognised the areas requiring improvement and have begun to implement plans to strengthen the service and improve outcomes for children.

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improvement to be good

One child has lived in the home since it registered with Ofsted. The child’s experience of moving into and out of the setting was not sufficiently well planned or coordinated. Arrangements lacked stability and consistency, resulting in the child experiencing transitions in a short length of time. Consequently, the child was not provided with a positive or well-supported experience of either moving into or on from the home. Planning did not consistently consider the child’s assessed needs alongside the skills and experience of staff, limiting the ability to meet those needs effectively.

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improvement to be good

The child did not make sustained or measurable progress. Engagement with education declined, and staff were not successful in supporting the child to achieve positive educational outcomes. As a result, progress from the child’s starting points was limited. There was evidence of the responsible individual engaging with education professionals to identify alternative provision; however, the placement ended before these arrangements could be implemented.

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improvement to be good

Despite these shortfalls, staff developed warm and positive relationships with the child. They provided opportunities for the child to participate in activities they enjoyed and responded to their interests. This contributed positively to the child’s emotional wellbeing and ensured that they experienced some meaningful and enjoyable interactions during their time in the home.

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improvement to be good

The child’s care plan is a strength. It is written in a child-friendly format and demonstrates that staff have a good understanding of the child’s needs, wishes and experiences. However, this strength is not reflected consistently across all records. Some Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 3 documentation contains language that is punitive in tone and, at times, places undue responsibility on the child for behaviours and circumstances. This does not support a child-centred approach to recording.

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improvement to be good

Overall, although the child benefited from positive relationships with individual staff members and some opportunities to enjoy activities of interest, weaknesses in planning, educational support, transitions and recording practices limited the child’s experiences and progress during the placement.

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improvement to be good

Risk assessments and behaviour support plans are detailed and identify the key risks relevant to the child. However, records do not consistently demonstrate that staff follow agreed strategies during incidents. Furthermore, information contained in the location risk assessment has not been updated to reflect known concerns in the local community that have affected the child. This limits staff’s access to current information and reduces the effectiveness of risk management arrangements.

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improvement to be good

Management oversight of safeguarding practice requires strengthening. Records relating to complaints are not consistently maintained and, at times, lack sufficient detail regarding actions taken, outcomes reached and how feedback has been shared with the child. In addition, management review of complaints is not sufficiently robust to consistently identify patterns, evaluate practice or promote learning and improvement.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have not maintained consistently effective oversight of significant incidents. There are examples where management evaluations and responsible individual comments have been added to records a significant period after incidents occurred. As a result, records do not consistently demonstrate timely scrutiny, reflection or evaluation of safeguarding practice. This limits leaders’ ability to evidence effective monitoring and learning from incidents. Notifications have not always been promptly submitted to Ofsted or have contained sufficient information to provide a clear understanding of the incidents being reported.

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improvement to be good

The quality of staff responses to incidents is variable. While staff are committed to supporting the child, records indicate that responses have not always been informed by an understanding of the child’s individual needs and behaviours. On occasion, staff actions have contributed to situations escalating rather than helping the child to regulate their emotions and reduce risk. Gaps in staff knowledge, experience and confidence have reduced their effectiveness in responding to periods of heightened distress, resulting in missed opportunities to de-escalate situations and promote the child’s sense of safety and wellbeing.

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improvement to be good

The child’s views and experiences are not consistently captured following incidents. Debrief discussions are either absent or do not include meaningful exploration of the child’s feelings, wishes and perspectives. Consequently, leaders and managers cannot be assured that the child is routinely supported to reflect on incidents, contribute to safety Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 4 planning or influence the support they receive. These shortfalls limit opportunities for learning, reduce the effectiveness of safeguarding practice and hinder the child’s ability to actively participate in decisions that affect them.

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improvement to be good

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and take appropriate action to report concerns. However, weaknesses in oversight, recording, incident management and the inclusion of the child’s voice mean that safeguarding practice is not yet consistently effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have not yet established a consistently positive and supportive culture for staff. Staff feedback identifies concerns regarding communication, management support and working relationships in the staff team. Some staff members report feeling insufficiently supported and describe inconsistencies in communication and decision-making. These factors have contributed to lower staff morale and have affected the development of a cohesive and stable workforce capable of consistently meeting the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers do not always provide clear and consistent direction to staff. There are examples of staff receiving mixed messages regarding expectations and day- to-day practice. As a result, some members of staff were unclear about decision-making processes and their responsibilities. This has created uncertainty in the workforce and reduced confidence in leadership arrangements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Workforce stability has been affected by staff turnover since registration. Staff describe tensions in the team and report limited opportunities for meaningful reflection following significant incidents. Systems for reflective practice and learning are not yet fully embedded. Consequently, opportunities for professional development, learning from incidents and improving practice have not been maximised, particularly for less- experienced staff members.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers do not ensure that all staff receive the support, guidance and professional development necessary to carry out their roles effectively. As a result, some staff members lack confidence when responding to challenging situations and meeting the child’s complex needs. These shortfalls have affected the consistency and quality of care provided and, at times, have limited the child’s experiences and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The quality of supervision requires improvement. Although supervision arrangements are in place, they have not consistently provided staff with opportunities to reflect on practice, explore learning or develop their skills and confidence. In particular, less- experienced staff have not always received the level of practice-focused supervision and support necessary to promote professional growth and improve outcomes for children. Leaders have not consistently used supervision as a tool to identify and address emerging concerns relating to staff practice, team dynamics or professional development needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 5 Despite these weaknesses, the responsible individual has demonstrated an understanding of the areas requiring improvement and has begun to take action to address identified concerns. Steps have been taken to strengthen the workforce through recruitment activity, the identification of training needs and engagement with staff to

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

gather feedback about the service. The responsible individual has also provided additional support during periods of management absence. These actions demonstrate a commitment to improvement and provide a foundation on which leaders can build.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Overall, leaders and managers have not yet ensured that monitoring systems, staff support arrangements and leadership oversight are consistently effective. While there is evidence of emerging improvement and a willingness to address identified shortfalls, further work is required to ensure that children consistently receive good-quality care and support. Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 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 children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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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

help each child to express views, wishes and feelings;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to ensuring that children are encouraged and supported to express their views, wishes and feelings, that concerns and complaints are responded to appropriately, and that children receive clear and timely feedback so that they understand how their views have been considered and what action has been taken. 4 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults. 4 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(ix)(x)(xi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to ensuring that staff have the skills, experience and support to understand the reasons behind children’s behaviour and respond in a way that promotes positive behaviour and emotional regulation. Staff should be able to recognise signs of distress, manage their responses appropriately and use effective de-escalation strategies to prevent situations from escalating.

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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

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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

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child 4 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 8 and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to ensuring that staff are appropriately skilled, supported and able to work together effectively to meet children’s needs. Leaders and managers should maintain effective oversight of practice, take account of feedback and complaints, and use monitoring and review systems to identify concerns, evaluate the impact of care on children’s experiences and progress, and drive sustained improvement.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to ensuring that children who come to live in the home move in a planned way and that when children leave the home, it is a positive experience for them. 4 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must inform Ofsted of all serious events in the home, including hospital visits and any allegations of harm against staff members. 4 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 9 The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff receive regular practice-related supervision to allow staff to learn and grow in their roles. 4 August 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information about individual children in a non- stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2873049 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Champions Childrens Homes (Smiles) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Albion House, Jessell Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 3HY

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Inspector

Lauren Barwell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2873049 11 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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