Children's Home run by KerryLynnCare Ltd in Gateshead

Inspection report for children’s home: 2729959 1 Registered provider: KerryLynnCare 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

The home is run by a private provider. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2729959 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/04/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2729959 3

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Summary of findings

Staff ensure that the home has a warm, nurturing feel to it, where children are supported to thrive. All staff are trained in therapeutic care, and this is consistently evident in all areas of practice. Children have made progress in a range of areas, including relationships, education, independence and health. Staff ensure that there is consistency for children through daily communication and regular team meetings. Safeguarding is prioritised, with staff maintaining up-to-date knowledge and demonstrating an ability to respond appropriately to concerns. Leaders and managers are described as knowledgeable and approachable. They are actively involved in everyday life at the home while also providing clear management oversight and guidance to staff. However, some shortfalls have been identified. These include gaps in staff qualifications, inconsistencies in the frequency of supervision sessions and inaccuracies

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made significant progress from their individual starting points. For one child, this has included no longer using drugs, engaging in education, accessing work experience opportunities and attending the gym regularly. This progress is further reflected by them achieving 100% in an exam. Their college tutor said, ‘It’s the first time I’ve ever seen it done. Thank you for your help and support. It has paid dividends.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Another child has grown increasingly comfortable in the home, to the extent that they now describe it as ‘home’. They are forming trusting relationships with staff and developing in confidence. They are beginning to understand their emotions and how these may impact on their behaviours. They are taking consistent, positive steps to manage their feelings with support from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to be involved in tasks that help them to develop their independence in line with their age and stage of development. One child now feels fully prepared to take their first steps into adulthood. One professional said, ‘Staff have done really well. They have supported them to find the right accommodation, centred around what they want with [name of child] having ownership of that. Staff want to keep in touch. Staff are sad that they will be leaving.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide a consistent and effective approach to therapeutic care. They value the training they have received, which enables them to understand children’s histories and behaviours in depth. This understanding informs all interactions, ensuring that children feel listened to, understood and well supported. Inspection report for children’s home: 2729959 4 Staff produce memory books for children, including photos and reflections of activities that children have participated in. These contribute to each child’s life story and provide a meaningful and positive keepsake for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Regular children’s meetings are held and are positive. Staff celebrate children’s achievements and demonstrate genuine care and investment in their progress. Children are actively encouraged to contribute to planning, such as menus and activities, developing their investment in the home. There is an emphasis on promoting shared experiences through group activities, supporting positive peer relationships. One child said that the other child is ‘like an older sibling to me’.

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

Risk assessments are accessible and easy to follow, with clear guidance to support staff in managing identified risks effectively. Key-work sessions are targeted to meet the individual needs of children. Staff address relevant issues openly and honestly, while maintaining a supportive approach, resulting in children engaging positively.

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

There has been a notable reduction in children going missing from the home, with no incidents recorded for several months. When children do go missing, staff take prompt and appropriate action to ensure that they are safely returned home. Return home interviews are consistently offered, supporting children to reflect on their experiences.

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

Since the last inspection, no physical interventions have been required. Staff are appropriately trained in how to use physical interventions, but there is a clear emphasis on de-escalation and other strategies. This approach is effective, with staff reporting confidence in their ability to manage challenging situations without the need for physical intervention.

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

Staff successfully maintain a balance between safeguarding children and encouraging increasing independence. Children are supported to spend time with friends, with staff providing guidance about safety. This helps children develop independence, knowing that they have the support of staff if needed.

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

Staff attend monthly team meetings. Each meeting includes a safeguarding scenario, encouraging staff to reflect on all aspects of practice. This supports staff to keep safeguarding knowledge up to date, share good practice and provide a consistent response to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of the support provided by the registered manager and the responsible individual. One member of staff said, ‘Their support and encouragement on a daily basis does not go unnoticed.’ Another said, ‘They are very approachable. There is no hierarchy. Everyone mucks in. The registered manager is lovely. She is very approachable, knowledgeable. I have learnt a lot from them both.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2729959 5 The responsible individual maintains a significant presence in the home and demonstrates a commitment to supporting the registered manager and the staff team. Both the registered manager and responsible individual are reflective and have discussed their respective roles, with plans in place to further clarify and divide responsibilities moving forward.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has developed effective monitoring systems to review all aspects of the home. In addition, the responsible individual reviews significant incidents. This added layer of oversight ensures that the management team has clear insight into children’s experiences and provides effective safeguarding oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Both the registered manager and the responsible individual advocate effectively for children. They have raised concerns on behalf of the children and challenged poor communication with professionals as appropriate. The registered manager has challenged the local authority regarding the timing of one child’s planned move, ensuring that the child’s needs remained central to decision-making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff generally receive regular practice-related supervision sessions. However, a newer staff member has not had fortnightly supervision sessions in line with the organisation’s policy, resulting in reduced support during their induction period. Another member of staff did not have a supervision session for several months, limiting opportunities for reflection and professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most staff either hold the required qualification or are working towards it within timescales. However, one member of staff has not completed the qualification within the required time frame, and another member of staff has not yet been enrolled. This means that not all staff who are working with the children have the required qualification to do so.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose does not include details of staff members’ qualifications and experience. This omission prevents the regulator from fully assessing whether the staff team has the necessary skills to meet the children’s needs. This shortfall was identified at the previous assurance inspection but has not been rectified and has therefore been restated. Inspection report for children’s home: 2729959 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 compile in relation to the children’s home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. (Regulation 16 (1)) 1 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform.

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)) 1 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 1 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2729959 7

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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: 2729959 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 6, Norden House, Stowell Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4YB

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Inspector

Karen Karlsson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2729959 9 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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