Children's Home run by Capstone Care Homes Ltd in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2870837 1 Registered provider: Capstone Care Homes Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who may experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. They were spoken to during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager has been in post since March 2026 and has submitted their application to register with Ofsted. They were present for both days of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and Ofsted is currently checking that this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account good

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Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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Overall experiences and progress of

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2870837 2

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Summary of findings

Children receive care from staff who are committed to building positive relationships and promoting stability. The child has made progress while living in this home, including engaging positively in planned learning activities. Staff work effectively with the child’s family and involved professionals to support the child’s needs and future plans. Safeguarding practice is effective, and risks are understood by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child speaks positively about living in this home and particularly enjoys the time staff spend with them sharing games and activities. Staff make consistent efforts to build trusting relationships with the child, helping them to develop a sense of belonging. Positive feedback from professionals and one parent reflects that the child is cared for by staff who have developed a good understanding of their day-to-day needs and the child’s likes and dislikes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide consistent routines, support the child’s privacy and personal space, and promote enjoyable mealtimes with nutritious meals. Staff support the child to develop age-appropriate independence skills, helping them to build confidence and prepare for their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a strong focus on supporting the child’s learning and development while they are not in formal education. The child is receiving tuition at the home, and staff use creative activities and games to build the child’s confidence. This means that the child continues to engage in learning opportunities and make educational progress. The manager is working with education and social care professionals to secure an appropriate educational provision for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time is promoted, and staff recognise the importance of maintaining these relationships, both for the child’s emotional wellbeing and their long-term care plan. The child’s plans reflect their identity, culture and what is important to them, helping staff to provide individualised care that is meaningful to the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious, clean and well presented, but some areas lack personalisation and appear unfinished. This does not reflect the homely environment the manager wants for children living in this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Records and key-work discussions do not consistently reflect child-focused or trauma- informed language. Some records use language that is not meaningful for the child and does not sufficiently capture their views, feelings and lived experiences. Consequently, children may not be able to see themselves accurately reflected in records that form part of their history, limiting the value of these records both now and in later life. Inspection report for children's home: 2870837 3

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

The child living in this home is able to identify trusted adults who listen to them and take their concerns seriously, helping them to feel safe.

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

The child has not gone missing since moving into the home, which is progress from their individual starting point. Clear protocols are in place for staff to follow should this occur, and the location risk assessment helps staff to understand the potential risks specific to the home’s location if the child were to go missing from home.

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

The registered manager works effectively with the child’s social worker and wider professional network to review and respond to emerging risks. This has led to additional short-term measures being implemented when needed to keep the child safe.

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

Staff understand the importance of online safety, and there are appropriate safeguards in place to help the child use the internet and gaming platforms safely.

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

Safe recruitment processes are in place to ensure that adults working in the home are safe to care for children.

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

Records of physical intervention are detailed and reviewed appropriately by the manager, and there is evidence of learning being identified following incidents. Staff speak with the child following incidents to reflect on what has happened and help repair relationships if needed.

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

One allegation made by the child was not responded to robustly. Safeguarding procedures were not progressed further or considered with sufficient professional curiosity. This means that opportunities to explore potential risks and ensure appropriate safeguarding oversight in place was missed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced manager who has submitted an application to register with Ofsted. The home is appropriately staffed and resourced to meet the needs of the child. The manager has a clear vision for the home as a nurturing, family environment for the child living there. This ethos is shared by staff, who demonstrate pride in their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision, which provides opportunities for them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the child. Staff describe a supportive environment and were positive about the support they receive from the manager. This helps to provide the child with consistent care from adults who work well together.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have effective monitoring systems in place to review the quality of care provided to the child. The manager is reflective and has developed positive working relationships with professionals and family members involved in the child’s care. Inspection report for children's home: 2870837 4 Feedback from professionals is used to inform the manager’s evaluation of practice in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates insight into the home’s strengths and areas for development. She works proactively with the newly appointed responsible individual and other senior leaders to strengthen monitoring and identify opportunities for improvement. Clear plans are in place to support continuous improvement and ensure that children receive consistently effective care. Inspection report for children's home: 2870837 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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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

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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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 (40)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager should inform Ofsted of incidents that are serious. 2 November 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. 2 November 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2870837 6 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; and

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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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Recommendations

 The manager should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record- keeping and understand the importance of language used when recording information. Staff should record information on individual children in a non- stigmatising way. 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)  The manager should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of children and provides a homely, domestic environment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2870837 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Capstone Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 22 Westville Road, London W12 9BD

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Inspectors

Terrianne George, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2870837 8 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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