Children's Home run by Forest-Dene Healthcare Services Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 1 Registered provider: Forest-Dene Healthcare Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in December 2025 and is owned and operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Since registration, one child has lived in the home. There were no children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

p.1

inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded, and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor, and they are not making progress.

p.1

inadequate

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 2

p.1

Summary of findings

Serious and widespread failures in the protection of children, along with ineffective leadership, have resulted in the child experiencing poor care and making no progress. This has led to an overall judgement of inadequate.

p.2

Summary of findings

There were considerable shortfalls in the safer recruitment practices of staff, which placed the child at serious risk of harm. The registered manager does not have a clear understanding of the child’s risks, and the documentation required to support the safe care of children is not robust.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff did not provide effective support to help the child make progress while living in the home. Professionals noted a significant deterioration in the child’s appearance since moving in, raising serious concerns about the quality of care provided.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child’s needs and vulnerabilities were known before they moved into the home. However, care planning was poor because staff lacked the knowledge, skills and training required to care for the child and keep them safe. This resulted in the manager requesting alternative care arrangements on more than one occasion, including within less than 2 weeks of the child’s admission.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff do not record information in sufficient detail to provide a clear understanding of the child’s experiences or their wishes and feelings. It is unclear how staff have attempted to meet the child’s care and safety needs.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff did not support the child’s educational development effectively. Although an educational timetable was created, a copy of the child’s education, health and care plan was not available and therefore could not inform staff support. Despite activities such as cooking and communication skills being identified as educational sessions, these frequently did not take place due to poor routines.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Routines, boundaries and expectations for the child are unclear. The child reported to a range of professionals that they did not have structure, friendships or access to education. The child did not have a safe sleep hygiene routine to support their care and safety needs. For example, the child would regularly stay in bed all day with limited staff support. Professionals expressed concern that this lack of structure increased the child’s risk-taking behaviours.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff have not consistently maintained a safe and nurturing environment for the child. For example, damage caused when the child was distressed was not repaired in a timely manner. Staff restricted access to the sensory room, which is intended to support Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 3 emotional regulation. Consequently, the child would have to ask permission for the room to be unlocked during times of distress.

p.2

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

Staff have cared for the child without appropriate safer recruitment checks being carried out. This means that some adults in the home have not been verified as suitable to work with children, placing the child at serious risk of harm.

p.3

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

Risk assessments do not reflect the known risks for the child. They are not consistently updated following incidents, and significant disclosures made by the child are not reflected in risk planning documents. This limits staff’s ability to understand the child’s needs and to keep them safe. The registered manager demonstrates a poor understanding of the child’s significant risks and vulnerabilities.

p.3

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

Leaders and managers have failed to assess or take appropriate steps to mitigate risks relating to self-harm. The drop from the staircase had not been assessed as a potential ligature risk. Ligature cutters were not available, despite ligature risks being identified when the child moved into the home. Staff did not have the skills to safely hold the child if this was needed to keep them safe. Medication is not stored or recorded safely, increasing the risk of harm to children. There was a lack of nurture and professional curiosity following incidents where the child displayed signs of possible exploitation or being under the influence of substances while in the community.

p.3

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

Processes for staff to follow when children go missing are unclear. There are discrepancies between team meeting minutes and risk assessments regarding actions required and timescales for responding. When the child returned after going missing from the home, the care and support provided by staff were not recorded. The child was left alone with their mobile phone for extended periods, despite known and serious risks of online exploitation.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There are significant concerns regarding the registered manager’s and responsible individual’s ability to act with integrity and transparency. For example, information about staffing provided by the registered manager does not align with records in the visitors’ book, team meetings minutes and staff rotas. The registered manager does not have an effective system to assure themselves, or others, of who has provided care to children in the home.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The oversight of safer recruitment checks is poor. The registered manager and responsible individual have allowed the child to be cared for by adults who have not been verified as suitable. There are significant weaknesses in the recruitment, vetting and monitoring processes, raising concerns about the robustness of the home’s safeguarding arrangements. Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 4 The registered manager and responsible individual have not ensured that staff have the necessary skills and training to meet children’s individual needs and manage risks safely. Staff had not completed necessary training to understand how to keep the child safe before the child moved into the home. While staff received regular supervision, the quality of this supervision was poor.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Management oversight of the child’s documentation is inadequate. Significant incidents have not been reviewed in a timely manner. Where records lack clarity regarding the actions taken by staff, the registered manager has failed to address these issues. This lack of review and oversight demonstrates that leaders, managers and staff are unable to provide safe and effective care for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager and responsible individual have not reflected on failures in the care provided to children. This creates a high risk of repeated failings and leaves children at risk of harm. Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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))

p.5

Requirement Due date

risk management plans are individualised and tailored to children’s specific needs and risks, including strategies to mitigate risks; 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 6 staff are equipped to manage children’s behaviours safely, ensuring the wellbeing of children and staff;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ligature and self-harm risks are assessed, with effective strategies in place to mitigate these risks;

p.6

Requirement Due date

there is a consistent understanding across the staff team of how to respond when children go missing.

p.6

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—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 7 feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.6

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)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

p.7

Requirement Due date

staff receive training and development that equips them to understand and respond to children’s needs effectively;

p.7

Requirement Due date

staff have a robust understanding of children’s needs and risks to support safe care;

p.7

Requirement Due date

processes are in place to provide oversight of who is entering the home and which staff are caring for children;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the registered manager has a clear understanding of recruitment processes, staffing arrangements, and their involvement in children’s care;

p.7

Requirement Due date

processes are in place to ensure timely and effective management oversight of incidents.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

p.7

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

p.7

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.7

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 8 full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person may permit an individual to start work at the home despite the fact that the requirement in paragraph (3)(d) has not been met if—

p.8

Requirement Due date

the registered person has taken all reasonable steps to obtain full information about each of the matters in Schedule 2 in respect of the individual, but the enquiries in relation to any of the matters in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2 are incomplete;

p.8

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information in respect of the individual has been obtained in relation to the matters in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2;

p.8

Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the circumstances are exceptional; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

the registered person ensures that the individual is appropriately supervised while carrying out the individual’s duties, pending receipt of any outstanding information on the matters in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2, which is then considered satisfactory by the registered person.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must take reasonable steps to ensure that any individual who is working at the home and who does not fall within paragraph (2)(a) and (b) is appropriately supervised while carrying out the individual’s duties. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(d) (7)(a)(b)(c)(d) (8))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that safer recruitment processes are in place to verify that staff are suitable to work with children, including Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

p.8

Requirement Due date

satisfy the requirements in paragraph (5)(a) to (c); and

p.8

Requirement Due date

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (7)(a)(b))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the responsible individual must act with integrity. 6 August 2026

p.8

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 9 receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed;

p.9

Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child.

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that the needs of the child are considered alongside local risks and experiences and skills of staff prior to a child moving into the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(i)(c)(f))

p.9

Requirement Due date

children’s risks and vulnerabilities, along with the suitability of the home’s location and staff skills, are fully considered before children are admitted to the home;

p.9

Requirement Due date

children are supported to move into the home in line with plans agreed by the local authority, promoting their emotional wellbeing and stability;

p.9

Requirement Due date

children’s wishes and feelings are accurately recorded.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.9

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.9

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 10 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.9

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

p.10

Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

p.10

Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

p.10

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

p.10

Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice;

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home;

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that repairs to the home are completed in a timely manner. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(ix)(c)(i)(ii))

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that damage to the home is repaired in a timely manner to reduce emotional impact on children.

p.10

Requirement Due date

Furthermore, ensure that access to spaces to promote children’s emotional regulation is not restricted.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

p.10

Requirement Due date

medicines kept in the home are stored in a secure place so as to prevent any child from having unsupervised access to them; 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 11 medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c))

p.11

Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.11

Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

p.11

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.

p.11

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

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;

p.11

Requirement Due date

help each child to express views, wishes and feelings;

p.11

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;

p.11

Requirement Due date

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care;

p.11

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that a true account of the children’s wishes and feelings are gathered and accurately recorded. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

p.11

Requirement Due date

children’s wishes and views are accurately recorded; 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 12 processes are in place to seek children’s views and wishes. Children must be supported to understand how their views have been considered.

p.11

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.12

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.12

Requirement Due date

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

p.12

Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

p.12

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;

p.12

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;

p.12

Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children

p.12

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that staff understand, and respond appropriately, to children’s behaviours. (Regulation 11 (1)(b) (2)(a)(i)(v)(ix)(xi)) 6 August 2026

p.12

Requirement Due date

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

p.12

Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

p.12

Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

p.12

Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to— 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 13 HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a) (7)(a))

p.12

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the independent person visits the home each month and that reports are shared with Ofsted.

p.13

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: 2850470 14

p.13

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Forest-Dene Healthcare Services Limited

p.14

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 9 Surmans Close, Dagenham, Essex RM9 4XE

p.14

Inspectors

Siobhan Holmes, Social Care Inspector Hannah Shoreson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2850470 15 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.

p.14

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.15

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.15

Inspectors

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

p.15