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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2807075 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

This children’s home is run by a private organisation. It provides care for up to 3 children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. The child’s views were obtained for the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2807075 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2807075 3

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Summary of findings

The child receives highly individualised and nurturing care. This has a significant and lasting impact on their life. The child has made exceptional progress from their starting point. This is evident in their emotional wellbeing, education, independence, relationships and safety. Staff know the child exceptionally well. They provide consistent, therapeutic support that helps the child feel valued and understood. Managers create a strong, child-centred culture. Reflective practice, meaningful direct work and effective oversight ensure continuous improvement. The impact of care is significant, with improved outcomes across all areas of the child’s life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are preparing the child exceptionally well for adulthood. The child’s ‘My Pathway to Independence plan’ captures their views, achievements and ambitions. The manager celebrates the child’s strengths while identifying areas for further development. Staff help the child develop practical skills, such as travelling independently and cooking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff place a strong emphasis on education and planning for the child’s future. The child attends college and is working hard, with extra tuition, toward achieving qualifications. Staff encourage ambition and help the child explore future opportunities. The child raised concerns about their support in college. Staff worked with education professionals to develop tailored strategies. This helped the child develop confidence in their learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff carry out effective direct work that helps the child reflect on their experiences. Staff plan monthly themes, including money management, emotional development and decision-making. This helps the child make informed choices rather than being told what to do. Since the last inspection, staff have increased their direct work with the child in relation to quality, frequency and consistency. The manager captures the staff’s and child’s reflections to identify learning for everyone.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child’s achievements and progress are excellent and are recognised in meaningful ways. Staff write poems in positivity books to capture achievements and memories. The child values these books, enjoys reading them and is proud of the progress they show. The manager writes a letter to the child after every house meeting. This helps the child feel listened to and reinforces that their views matter.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager advocates for the child and helps the child to be assertive, when required. Staff listen carefully to the child’s wishes and support them to express their views. The child asked for help to write to their placing authority about moving on plans. The child is developing the confidence to use their voice in influencing decisions. Inspection report for children’s home: 2807075 4

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

The child is developing positive and age-appropriate friendships in the community. Staff support this by building relationships with the parents of friends and carrying out proportionate risk assessments. Comprehensive risk assessments are regularly reviewed and are supported by direct work with the child. Practical guidance provides staff with a consistent framework to support overnight stays. This increases the child’s independence while maintaining appropriate safeguards.

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

Staff respond exceptionally well to incidents, taking effective action to keep the child safe. The manager has developed effective systems to collate incident information. This strengthens oversight, promotes reflective practice and supports coordinated safeguarding responses.

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

Leaders should continue to review the use of door alarms. This ensures that safeguards remain proportionate and reflective of the child’s increased independence.

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

Staff use a preferred therapeutic model to reflect on incidents and adapt their support for the child. The child has a ‘pick me up box’ when emotions feel overwhelming. The box contains emotional support tools such as an emotions wheel and sensory items. The staff write positive messages in an envelope. This reminds the child that they are safe, loved and important. This helps the child to regulate their emotions and manage difficult situations.

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

Staff manage risks with mobile phones and online activity very well. Staff work alongside the child to develop realistic boundaries rather than imposing rules. The manager asked the child to create their own mobile phone agreement. This encouraged the child to identify what support and safeguards they felt were appropriate. The manager and the child agreed compromises to promote safe decision-making. Staff reduce supervision as the child shows safe use of their phone. This helps the child to develop responsibility, understand online risks and use technology safely.

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

Staff use praise and rewards effectively to recognise positive behaviour and achievements. The child receives regular verbal praise and meaningful rewards. Consequences are rarely needed. Staff use restorative approaches to help the child understand the impact of their actions. This promotes accountability and supports positive outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager provides strong and visible leadership. She shows a detailed understanding of the child’s history, risks and journey. The manager takes a proactive approach, supporting education, family relationships, friendships and independence. When challenges arise, the manager remains present, consistent and persistent. There is a clear bond between the manager and the child. This helps the child feel safe, valued and supported to make progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2807075 5 The manager uses supervision to develop practice. Staff reflect on behaviour management, lessons learned and areas for development. Staff say that the manager creates a positive learning culture. They speak highly about the support and nurture they receive. The manager recognises staff achievements through monthly rewards. The workforce is stable and experienced. This creates consistency for the child and promotes high-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager shows reflective leadership, such as when reviewing measures of control. She considers feedback, reviews practice and strengthens recording systems. This improves oversight and shows a culture of learning and improvement. Restrictions remain proportionate and in the child’s best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s recording system is meticulous and reflects a highly child-centred approach. Records are written to the child and avoid language that could feel blaming. Staff clearly capture the child’s views, progress and experience. Managers’ oversight evaluates what has worked well, identifies learning and adapts practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager goes above and beyond to create meaningful experiences. She recognises the importance of small actions that have a significant emotional impact. The manager sourced a replica locket that had significant meaning to the child. The manager understands what matters to the child and promotes their emotional wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The child is flourishing as a result of the nurturing care provided by dedicated managers and staff. The child has made exceptional progress from their starting point. The child said that their greatest progress is ‘learning how to love themselves again’. The manager and staff have a significant impact on the child’s emotional wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders have strengthened the recruitment process. The manager has improved oversight of safer recruitment practices. Recruitment records show that safer recruitment practice is in line with regulatory requirements. The previous requirement made under regulation 32 is met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were raised following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2807075 6

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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: 2807075 7

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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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Inspectors

Susie Vere, Social Care Inspector Sarah Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2807075 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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