Children's Home run by Beloved Childcare in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2862977 1 Registered provider: Beloved Childcare 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 provides care for one child who may require support with a learning disability, and/or social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. The child was spoken to as part of the inspection.

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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: 2862977 2

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Summary of findings

The child is making good progress from his starting point. He benefits from nurturing relationships with staff who understand his needs well and provide consistent, therapeutic care. Leaders and managers demonstrate a strong commitment to improving outcomes for the child. Safeguarding practice is effective. The staff team provides good- quality care that promotes the child’s welfare, safety and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote the importance of education. The child, who was previously not in education, has recently started to attend an alternative provision. The manager has ensured that the child is initially supported in a small group, with one-to-one support. Staff understand that the child needs time to build confidence to be able to achieve his educational potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is relaxed and comfortable with staff. He engaged positively with those caring for him and was seen laughing and sharing positive interactions. The manager has developed a warm and trusting relationship with the child. During the inspection, the child sought reassurance and comfort from the manager. The child said that he likes living at the home. Staff know the child well and understand his individual needs and preferences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has complex mental health and care needs. The manager ensures that regular multi-agency meetings are held to review and monitor the child’s health needs. These meetings involve relevant professionals, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Review meetings consider the effectiveness of prescribed medication and take full account of the child’s wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made significant progress in maintaining positive relationships with family members. Family time is now taking place without supervision, and the child can spend time independently with his parent in the community. This demonstrates the progress he has made and enables quality time with family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making positive progress in developing age-appropriate independence. Since moving here, there have been notable improvements in his personal care and hygiene. He has learned practical life skills, including using a washing machine and preparing simple meals. Staff are supporting him to spend short periods of time independently in the community through carefully planned and proportionate risk-taking. This represents significant progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child can access the community safely and participates in a wide range of activities. He enjoys attending funfairs, swimming, bowling, visiting the cinema and engaging in Inspection report for children’s home: 2862977 3 physical activities at local parks. These experiences help him to develop confidence, social skills and positive memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s views are clearly valued and acted on. Staff and managers take prompt action when he expresses wishes or concerns, and care plans are updated to reflect his changing needs. The child’s views are central to care planning and inform important decisions regarding medication, key-worker arrangements and education plans.

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

Staff understand and implement safeguarding procedures effectively. The child’s social worker and parent are confident in the team’s ability to keep him safe.

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

There has been a significant reduction in the use of physical intervention since the child started living here. There has been only one physical intervention. This intervention was proportionate and necessary. The child was spoken to afterwards, and relevant professionals were informed. A reflective debrief discussion was completed. Learning from the incident informed changes to practice and support strategies.

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

There have been some significant behavioural incidents. However, behaviour support plans provide staff with clear guidance and incorporate the child’s views regarding how he wishes to be supported. Staff consistently implement therapeutic strategies that help the child regulate his emotions and manage difficult situations safely. As a result, both the frequency and severity of incidents have reduced, and ‘as-and-when’ medication is rarely used now. The child is increasingly able to reflect on his actions, accept responsibility for his behaviour and respond positively to praise and encouragement from staff.

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

The child is fully engaged in a positive behaviour reward system that was designed with his input. He expressed a wish for adults to participate in a similar reward system alongside him. This creative approach has strengthened engagement and contributed to an increase in positive behaviours while reducing unwanted behaviours.

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

There have been 2 missing-from-home incidents. These have been short in duration. Staff follow agreed protocols and contact the police when necessary. The manager maintains effective oversight of incident reports and challenges recording that does not meet expected standards. This ensures that records are accurate, detailed and reflective of events.

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

When allegations of harm are made, managers take prompt action to safeguard the child. Allegations are taken seriously, and consultation takes place with the local authority designated officer. Managers complete thorough investigations and ensure that any practice that falls below the expected standard is appropriately addressed. Inspection report for children’s home: 2862977 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced and holds a relevant level 5 qualification. The manager is supported by a deputy manager and a responsible individual. Together, they provide strong leadership and promote a culture that is child- centred, reflective and ambitious.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive good-quality training that equips them to meet the child’s complex needs. Training includes input from a learning disability psychologist, who has provided staff with practical strategies to understand the child’s underlying needs and respond to behaviours in a therapeutic manner. All staff have completed or are working towards a level 3 diploma in residential childcare, and two staff members are undertaking a level 5 qualification. Staff feel valued by leaders and managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Staff describe the manager as supportive, knowledgeable and approachable. Staff are committed to continuous learning and improvement and are proud of the progress the child has made since moving here.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child’s social worker spoke highly of the manager and staff team. The social worker stated that communication is good, the child is making positive progress and staff have a strong understanding of his complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are strong advocates for the child and challenge other professionals when necessary. For example, they escalated concerns regarding the child’s right to access education. This persistent advocacy ensured that the child’s needs remained a priority, and he is now accessing education.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers generally ensure that Ofsted receives notifications of significant events. However, on 3 occasions, notifications were submitted late. While appropriate action was taken to safeguard the child, delays in notifying Ofsted reduce the regulator’s ability to maintain effective oversight of significant incidents. This shortfall did not have a direct impact on the child’s safety or welfare. Inspection report for children’s home: 2862977 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 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

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

or there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4) (c)(e)) 10 August 2026

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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: 2862977 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: University of Northampton Innovation Centre, Green Street, Northampton NN1 1SY

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2862977 7 and inspects 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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