Children's home run by Homes 2 Inspire Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a partnership that provides residential care for children with complex needs. The home’s statement of purpose states that it can provide care for up to one child who has experienced social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted on 21 August 2025. The manager submitted their voluntary cancellation form and was deregistered on 10 November 2025. The current manager has been in post since January 2026 and has submitted their application to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Following a full inspection on 3 and 4 December 2025, Ofsted suspended the home’s registration due to concerns about serious risk of harm to others. As a result, the child living at the home moved out.

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Information about this children’s home

On 26 January 2026, 25 February 2026 and 13 April 2026, Ofsted completed monitoring visits at the home. No children were living at the home during these monitoring visits and the current monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

During the full inspection, serious and widespread concerns were identified in relation to the care and protection of the child living at the home. As a result, two compliance notices were issued under regulation 12 and regulation 13 of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulation 2015. In addition, a notice to suspend the home’s registration was served and the child who was living at the home was supported to move out.

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This monitoring visit

Since the full inspection, three monitoring visits have taken place to review the effectiveness of the actions taken by leaders and managers to address the shortfalls outlined in the compliance notices. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 2 It has previously been determined that leaders and managers have taken the required action to address the breaches in respect of regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. It was also found that leaders and managers had taken sufficient action to enable the suspension of the home’s registration to be lifted. However, concerns remained that children may be admitted to the home before the manager and staff were adequately prepared. In addition, the manager’s capacity to manage the home safely and consistently has not been proven, nor has the staff team’s ability to meet children’s needs and keep them safe. As a result, Ofsted

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This monitoring visit

varied a condition in respect of the home’s registration, limiting the number of children that can be accommodated and cared for to one.

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This monitoring visit

Previous monitoring visits found that leaders and managers had not taken sufficient action to meet the compliance notice issued under regulation 12, the protection of children standard. As a result, the compliance notice was reissued with redefined actions to address regulatory breaches. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the effectiveness of the actions taken by leaders and managers to address the shortfalls outlined in the compliance notice reissued under regulation 12.

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This monitoring visit

In response to the compliance notice, leaders and managers have reviewed the quality of the investigations into the conduct of two members of staff, which had been completed by a senior leader. These reviews found that the investigations were not robust and relied on limited sources of information. As a result, the investigations were completed again and different outcomes were reached. The updated investigation outcomes have been shared with the relevant professionals and referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service have been made. The compliance notice in relation to regulation 12 has now been met.

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This monitoring visit

However, when sharing the updated outcomes with one of the members of staff who was subject of an investigation, the correspondence was misleading and did not accurately identify or apportion accountability. Leaders and managers are reviewing and addressing this shortfall to ensure that the member of staff understands the concerns that have been identified and why the investigation into their practice was redone.

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This monitoring visit

Concerns identified about another member of staff’s practice have been thoroughly explored with them. The member of staff has been supported to reflect on their conduct and the language that they use when supporting children. With regards to another member of staff, leaders and managers continue to use disciplinary procedures to address poor performance.

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This monitoring visit

Where appropriate, the child who raised the concerns about staff practice has been provided with the outcomes and actions that have been agreed following investigations. Due to the recent changes of some outcomes, updates are being reshared with the child. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 3 Senior leaders have completed an investigation to explore concerns raised through their whistle-blowing procedures. However, this investigation is of a poor quality and relies on limited sources of information. As a result, it is unclear how outcomes have been reached and some concerns have not been explored thoroughly. Leaders and managers have confirmed that the investigation will be reviewed and strengthened.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have taken action to improve and clarify allegations management, investigation and safer recruitment procedures. Changes to policies are being shared with managers and staff. Additional training is also being provided to ensure that managers and staff have the skills and experience that are required to follow the updated procedures effectively and ensure that children are protected from harm.

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This monitoring visit

Independent visits to the home required by regulation 44 of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulation 2015 have resumed. Leaders and managers are working collaboratively with the independent person to ensure that these visits are a helpful monitoring tool to promote improvement.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s fire risk assessment has been reviewed and updated. Leaders and managers have taken action to meet the recommendations that have been made.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have made the decision to temporarily close the home. Staff will be redeployed to one of the provider’s other children’s homes. It is hoped that this will support staff’s development. Senior leaders have confirmed that they agree with a 3-month condition that prevents children from moving into the home being added to the home’s conditions. Leaders and managers do not consider the home ready to care for children. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2025 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 5

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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 with the given timescales.

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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 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 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)(c)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff have the skills and experience to meet each child’s needs and help them to stay safe effectively. The registered person must use monitoring and review systems to evaluate the quality of care and take action to ensure that children’s needs are met and that they are protected from harm. 3 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 6 In addition, the registered person must review and, where necessary, undertake again the investigations into whistle- blowing complaints that have been raised. Investigations must be thorough and reflective. Learning and actions must be identified to promote continuous improvement and prevent similar concerns from being presented in the future.

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that when there is an increased risk of fire, robust and swift action is taken to reduce the risk to children. Staff must be confident and able to apply the knowledge gained through training to their day-to-day role. This includes preventing children from having access to items that increase risk and ensuring that staff follow the recommendations from external specialists. 19 June 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.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding; 19 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 7 help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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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)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(viii)(xi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff meet children’s needs and help them to express their thoughts and feelings in safe ways effectively. Children must be supported to develop socially aware behaviours and practice safe conflict resolution.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that staff have the skills and experience to respond to children in line with the home’s chosen therapeutic approach. Staff must be confident and able to maintain safe boundaries, de-escalate challenging situations and help children to stay safe. Staff’s responses to children must help children to build positive and trusting relationships with staff and engender feelings of safety.

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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.

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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

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose; and

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Requirement Due date

that arrangements are in place to— 19 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 8 manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(ii)(e)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children’s care and support is effectively planned, meets children’s needs and protects them from harm. The registered person must ensure that before children move to the home, staff have the skills and experience required to deliver effective care and support.

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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; and

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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

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably; and

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Requirement Due date

provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(ii)(iv)(vii)(viii)) 19 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 9 In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff provide personalised care that meets children’s needs effectively. Staff must protect children’s welfare and prevent access to items that puts them, and others, at increased risk of harm.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that children’s bedrooms are maintained to a good standard of cleanliness.

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that concerns about children’s care and safety are shared with relevant external professionals so that a robust multi-agency response can be co-ordinated to improve the care and protection of children. 19 June 2026

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Black Country House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury B69 2DG

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Inspector

Martin Brown, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2845195 11 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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