Children's Home run by Azalea Care Ltd in Peterborough

Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 1 Registered provider: Azalea Care 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 operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to 5 children with physical or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home who spoke to inspectors and contributed to the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was appointed in November 2025, has applied for registration and is awaiting the outcome of their fit person interview. 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

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 28 October 2025

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 2 An assurance inspection was carried out on 26 February 2026, during which serious and widespread concerns were identified. As a result, a compliance notice under Regulation 13 of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 was issued.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

A monitoring visit took place on 1 April 2026 to review progress against the required actions. While some progress had been made, the steps had not been fully met, and a further compliance notice was issued.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

During this inspection, the steps in the compliance notice were reviewed. Some progress had been made, but the steps were not fully met. The remaining shortalls in regulation 13 have been raised as a requirement at this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/10/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/06/2025 Full Inadequate 29/05/2024 Full Good 03/01/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 4

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Summary of findings

The are a number of shortfalls that indicate the home is not meeting regulations. The statement of purpose contains outdated information. Monitoring is not independent, as there is a conflict of interest, and reports submitted by the person are delayed. Staff have not yet received training to meet the child’s specific needs. The environment is poorly maintained, with incomplete repairs and poor standards of cleanliness. The child has developed positive relationships with staff. Staff have helpful and positive interactions, which have contributed to the child’s progress and experience.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or out of the home.

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improvement to be good

Recent renovations in the home have led to some improvements to the bedrooms and downstairs bathroom. In several areas, the quality of repairs is poor, leaving sharp edges in one en-suite and visible paint splashes on floors and walls. Further work is required to improve the living conditions for children. While supporting a safer environment, prominent fire-exit signage throughout the home contributes to an institutionalised feel rather than a warm, domestic environment. Areas of the home require cleaning to provide a pleasant home for children and to create a place where children will enjoy living.

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improvement to be good

The child disclosed concerns about their emotional wellbeing to staff. Staff appropriately held discussions with the child and raised these concerns during supervision. However, no further action was taken by managers to inform the child’s social worker or to initiate a referral for specialist support. As a result, the child’s health needs are not being met.

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improvement to be good

The child has shared with staff that they have experienced minor injuries while at school. No follow-up medical advice has been sought. While the injuries were not serious, this lack of response results in missed opportunities to monitor the child’s wellbeing.

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improvement to be good

The child enjoys outdoor activities, and staff regularly take them to the park. However, managers have not explored opportunities to further encourage and support the child’s interests to promote their development and strengthen peer relationships.

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improvement to be good

Staff have developed positive and trusting relationships with the child. Staff from the child’s school said that these relationships are caring and supportive, which has led to the child feeling safe and understood. This has had a positive impact on the child’s development and has supported their engagement in education. Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 5 Staff know the child well and engage them in meaningful conversations, using role play and storytelling to reinforce key messages. This approach helps the child to better understand situations and process experiences, contributing to their confidence and overall development.

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improvement to be good

Staff have only used physical intervention once, when it was necessary and proportionate. However, the recording of the incident does not clearly identify the author, and staff debriefs have not taken place. Staff have also shared differing accounts of the incident. The manager’s oversight is less effective due to the limited comprehensive information, reducing opportunities to improve practice.

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improvement to be good

An activity that the inspector observed was not carefully assessed. The child was taken to the park and was approached by a dog. The staff member who accompanied the child on the activity had a known fear of dogs. This situation presents a likely risk that was not accounted for in the activity planning. Although the impact was low, it meant the member of staff would be unable to offer any support if it was necessary.

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improvement to be good

The child has shared with staff that they are experiencing difficulties at school. The manager initially raised these concerns with the school in a timely manner. However, the school did not respond until further incidents were reported 2 weeks later, at which point they denied the concerns. The manager has not taken further action to challenge this response or advocate for the child. As a result, the child’s views and experiences have not been represented or addressed effectively.

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improvement to be good

The manager has identified a potential risk following a staff member’s return to work after a period of illness. While appropriate support has been planned for the staff member, the manager has not considered or set out how this risk will be managed to minimise any potential impact on the child. As a result, there is a lack of clear planning to ensure the child’s needs, safety and consistency of care are maintained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Communication between the manager and responsible individual about the child’s plans had not been communicated to the child’s social worker. This lack of effective communication and transparency between leaders and the local authority limits careful and considered planning for children’s moves in or out of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have developed a process to support decision-making when admitting children to the home. The assessment tool provides a helpful framework, enabling managers to understand the complexities of a child’s needs and to consider whether these can be met by the staff team and the home. However, the tool does not prompt managers to consider whether the child’s needs fall within the home’s Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 6 registration conditions. There is an ongoing risk that admission decisions may not fully align with the home’s statement of purpose and regulatory requirements, which could impact the suitability of placements and the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff supervision is not being used effectively. Although safeguarding discussions are expected to take place at each supervision to reinforce knowledge and identify any gaps in practice, these conversations are not being recorded. Leaders and managers do not have a clear understanding of staff learning needs or where additional support is required. This limits effective oversight and reduces the manager’s ability to address gaps in practice and improve the quality of care and safeguarding provided to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager has had one supervision in the 3 months since the responsible individual took up her post. It was not child focused, and it did not adequately reflect the child’s lived experiences or evaluate the impact of care provided. The manager’s supervision does not inform clear actions to support the child’s progress and development, which limits opportunities to improve outcomes and ensure that care is consistently responsive to the child’s needs. Staff have not had their performance appraised. Consequently, there is limited oversight of staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home’s statement of purpose includes incorrect and out-of-date information recorded. This does not provide a clear or reliable account of the home and transparency for stakeholders.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The independent person undertaking monthly visits to the home has a conflict of interest, which compromises the independence and objectivity of the monitoring process. In addition, there have been delays in submitting reports to Ofsted, and one report has not been received. This weakens external oversight of the home, reduces accountability and limits the ability to identify and respond to areas of weakness in a timely manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager and staff have not yet received training to understand the child’s specific needs and support the child effectively. Appropriate training has been identified; this has not yet taken place. This limits staff’s ability to provide consistent, informed and individualised care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The requirements from the previous inspection have been reinstated. Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 7

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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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Requirements 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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Requirements Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirements Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirements 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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Requirements Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirements Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirements 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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Requirements Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirements Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirements 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)(c)(e)(f)(g)(ii)(h)) 27 July 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 8 In particular, ensure that:

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Requirements Due date

children are only admitted to the home if their needs align with the statement of purpose and the conditions of registration;

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Requirements Due date

managers and staff have the skills and understanding to meet children’s specific needs;

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Requirements Due date

children receive advocacy and professionals are challenged when necessary;

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Requirements Due date

effective monitoring and review systems are in place; and

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Requirements Due date

supervision sessions are reflective, child focused and regular so that they improve consistency and quality of care for children.

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Requirements Due date

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

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Requirements Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirements 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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Requirements Due date

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

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Requirements Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, ensure that managers and staff understand children’s individual needs and risks and have the knowledge and skills to meet them.

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Requirements Due date

Ensure that staff are provided with risk management plans that provide clear guidance on children’s risks and strategies to manage them. 27 July 2026

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Requirements Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— 14 June 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 9 understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; and

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Requirements Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirements Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirements Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirements Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, ensure that repairs to the home are completed to a good standard and are free from hazards.

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Requirements Due date

Ensure that the cleanliness in the home is improved and maintained.

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Requirements Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirements Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirements Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used; the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirements Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirements Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered per-son to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirements Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirements Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 27 July 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 10 within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(v)(vi)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, ensure that the details of any methods used to prevent the use of physical intervention are recorded. When a measure has been used, records must show who carried out the measure, the details of the measure and when staff have been debriefed.

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Requirements Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirements Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirements Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry.

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Requirements Due date

securely in the children’s home during the period when the child to whom the case records relate is accommodated there. (Regulation 36 (1)(b)(c) (2)(d))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, ensure that all records are signed by an identifiable author and kept up to date, which includes capturing updates and outcomes. 27 July 2026

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Requirements 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.

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Requirements Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirements Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b)) 27 July 2026

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Requirements Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— 27 July 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 11 undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirements Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirements Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, ensure that all staff and managers receive practice- related supervision that allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care.

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Requirements Due date

Ensure that staff’s performance and fitness to perform their roles are appraised at least once a year.

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Requirements Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirements Due date

If the independent person becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest (whether under regulation 43(3) or otherwise) after a visit to the home, the independent person must include in the independent person’s report—

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Requirements Due date

details of the conflict of interest; and

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Requirements Due date

the reasons why the independent person did not notify the registered provider of the conflict of interest before the visit.

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Requirements Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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Requirements Due date

HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1) (6)(a)(b)(7)(a))

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Requirements Due date

In particular, ensure that the independent person is suitably independent of the provider organisation, that visits take place at least monthly and that reports are sent to HMCI without delay. 27 July 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: 2682522 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Tax Assist, Unit 6, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6FT

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Inspectors

Sarah Cooper, Social Care Inspector Andreia Alves Da Silva, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2682522 13 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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