Children's Home run by Homes Care Group Limited in Leicester

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 1 Registered provider: Homes Care Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to 3 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since 5 May 2026.

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This monitoring visit

The home was judged ‘inadequate’ at the full inspection on 28 April 2026. A monitoring visit was carried out to ensure that the provider was complying with the notice restricting accommodation issued on 1 May 2026. This visit also sought to determine whether the provider had met the 2 statutory compliance notices issued under regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard).

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This monitoring visit

Following the full inspection, the child continued to live in the home for 3 weeks. During this period, the provider determined that they were unable to safeguard the child and issued notice to the local authority to end the placement.

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This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have reviewed their systems and have started to implement changes to their case management system. While staff have been informed of these changes, training has not yet taken place. Once fully operational, the system will allow for greater leadership and management oversight. In addition, new audit and tracking tools have been developed and implemented. Clear expectations have been established regarding when these are to be completed and shared with senior leaders, providing additional oversight. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 2 The manager has taken steps to reinforce expectations of staff in line with their roles and responsibilities. This has been explored with the team during team meetings. Other key documents, for example the home’s statement of purpose and whistleblowing policy, have also been shared with staff. This process provides increased assurance to the manager that staff understand the requirements of their

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This monitoring visit

When staff start in their roles, they are supported to complete the company’s induction programme. As part of this, it is outlined that staff receive monthly supervision. However, senior leaders have implemented fortnightly supervision for all staff. This increased frequency provides staff with protected time to reflect on their practice, explore ongoing issues, and continue to develop their skills and knowledge.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are receiving both new and refresher training in key areas of their role. However, one staff member has not yet completed their safeguarding training. Senior leaders are aware of this; however, it remains outstanding. A new training matrix is now in place, capturing all completed training and clearly identifying any courses that staff still need to undertake.

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This monitoring visit

While the child was living in the home, staff worked closely with external agencies to safeguard them. However, on one occasion, staff did not follow the organisation’s procedures and failed to share important information. Once this was identified, the manager took immediate action to address the issue, ensuring that the information was shared with the relevant agencies supporting the child.

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This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have carried out a review of practice in the home. As part of this review, they decided to investigate a potential concern relating to staff that was brought to their attention during the inspection. They followed their internal processes to review this information, and the issue has now been resolved.

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This monitoring visit

The 2 compliance notices issued following the full inspection have now been met.

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This monitoring visit

The previous requirements and recommendation raised at the full inspection have been restated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/04/2026 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 4

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that all children’s records contain the most up-to-date information 3 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 5 and accurately reflect all known risks. Staff must continually develop their knowledge of safeguarding matters and understand how these apply to the children in their care. In addition, through effective oversight of the home, the manager must ensure that staff explore safeguarding risks and take appropriate action when they arise.

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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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 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

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must develop and maintain effective and efficient systems in the home. These systems must support their oversight of the home. Furthermore, the manager must identify and provide appropriate training for the staff in a timely manner, while ensuring that all staff complete mandatory training. 3 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— 3 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 6 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;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed;

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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)(ii)(c)(e)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that children’s needs are thoroughly assessed and that careful consideration is given to whether the staff team has the necessary skills and knowledge to meet those needs. Furthermore, the manager must continually review whether the home can meet children’s current and emerging needs and, where this is not the case, request a review of the children’s plans.

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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. 3 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 7 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;

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Requirement Due date

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

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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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

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that, when a child moves into the home, staff have open and honest conversations with them and possess the skills required to Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 8 manage difficult discussions. All safeguarding concerns must be fully explored.

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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

ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interests when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that staff have the necessary skills to engage children in individual sessions on relevant topics. In addition, staff must seek and record the children’s wishes and feelings regarding their care. 3 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

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; 3 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 9 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 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that notifications of serious incidents are submitted in a timely manner.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children feel and be safe. When children move into the home, as a priority, they need to be advised and shown what to do in an event of a fire. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.9)

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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: 2837245 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Springfield Road, Leicester LE2 3BA

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Inspector

Lizette Watts, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2837245 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 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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