Children's Home run by LM Care Homes Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2867909 1 Registered provider: LM Care Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider and cares for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection, 2 children were living in the home. The inspector spoke with both children and obtained their views.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2867909 2

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Summary of findings

This is the home’s first inspection since registration. Two children have moved into the home and have started to build a sense of security and belonging. Both children have made progress from their starting points. Positive relationships with staff are central to this progress. Children are kept safe by staff, with staff and managers understanding their risks. Staff understand and know the children well, and they are supported by a dedicated and knowledgeable manager.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are making progress from their starting points since they moved into the home. One child has built positive relationships with staff, which has supported them to start talking more about emotions. Children are building their self-confidence, and as a result are taking more pride in their appearance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children talk positively about the home and their experiences of living there. They have positive, trusting relationships with staff, who show them genuine care and nurture. Children feel listened to and well supported, and can name key safe people. Children have a sense of belonging and stability. The staff have bought chickens for the children, which they care for. Children have built the chicken coops, and collect eggs regularly. This gives them a sense of achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s interests and personal tastes are understood and encouraged by staff. For one child, who enjoys model planes and tanks, staff have supported them in getting their flying licence at a local club. For another child, the staff ensure that they have a regular subscription to the gym. Children feel understood and heard as a result. Children are regularly consulted on their likes and dislikes and on plans for activities so that they do things that they enjoy. Special events throughout the year, and birthdays, are celebrated.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have regular conversations with children which are meaningful and educational. Children feel confident to share their views, and to talk about risks and their experiences. Staff have built positive relationships with children, and this has supported them to talk about their identity and matters important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family relationships are understood as important. Staff and managers know who is important to children and facilitate the children spending regular time with them. One parent said, ‘I never expected it to be so brilliant.’ The manager works creatively against challenges to communication to promote family time. This is balanced with the child’s views around spending time with family. Inspection report for children’s home: 2867909 3

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

Daily routines, rules and boundaries are consistent in the home and have contributed to stability for both children. There are very few incidents of challenging behaviour. Staff balance consistency with a therapeutic response to children when children test boundaries. As a result, consequences are minimal. Children are consulted on the boundaries and are supported to have a voice in how these are implemented.

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

The manager has worked effectively with external professional agencies when concerns have arisen. The manager has ensured that external professional agencies fulfil their responsibilities to safeguard children. One child moved into the home with a concern of exploitation and going missing from care. The manager consulted with professionals previously involved with the child. This ensured a detailed understanding of the pattern of behaviour. Appropriate safeguards have been put in place, along with a gradual approach to increasing independence for the child. As a result, the child has not gone missing from the home since moving in.

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

The manager takes a balanced approach to children’s presence online. Staff focus on conversations with children to support their understanding of the online world. The manager balances appropriate safeguards with understanding for the child’s age and behaviours. This ensures children are safeguarded without being unnecessarily restricted.

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

Risk assessments outline the agreed strategies that staff should follow in response to risks. Staff understand the agreed protocols and procedures to follow. Children are regularly consulted in what works best for them when they are struggling and how staff can support them. Staff understand the individual needs of children and how to de- escalate challenging situations. However, these de-escalation strategies are not included in the children’s plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is child-centred and nurturing and leads by example. She is present and available to staff and ensures that their wellbeing is a priority. She embodies the home’s model of care, and role models this to staff. The manager is curious about the children, reflecting regularly on how to improve their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff talk positively about the support they receive. Inductions for new staff are supportive and allow staff to build relationships with colleagues and children. Staff say that the manager is approachable, and that they feel involved in the decision-making of the home through regular team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and detailed supervision that includes and encourages reflective practice. Staff welfare is at the centre of discussions, and the manager knows and understands the staff. Considerate adjustments to support staff are made when they may be struggling. Inspection report for children’s home: 2867909 4 Staff and managers understand the model of care and therapeutic support. However, this is not yet well embedded. Learning from therapy sessions is not cascaded down to staff effectively, or included in children’s plans, resulting in staff not always knowing the agreed actions or approaches that are advised by the internal therapy team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training is regular and detailed. Staff report that the training is helpful and supports them in their roles. There are some gaps in staff’s knowledge and training. Managers’ oversight has also noted areas for continued development. Training or development sessions are not yet in place to address these gaps in knowledge. This would support continued growth and development for staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Multi-agency working is strong. The manager works well with other agencies, and advocates for the children. Professional feedback highlighted the positive communication from the manager. Professionals also noted the excellent approach the manager has with the children as key to the children making progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2867909 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that known positive behaviour strategies used by staff to promote positive behaviours are documented in children’s relevant plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.13)  The registered person should ensure that the ethos, and model of care, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose, is embedded in the home, with information cascaded down effectively to staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.4)  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate resources to support their training needs, including around identified gaps in knowledge as noted from managers’ oversight, that would support and develop staff in their roles. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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: 2867909 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: LM Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Springfield House, Springfield Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 2RG

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Inspector

Becki Cornes-Sinclair, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2867909 7 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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