Children's Home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children's home: 2875917 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd Full inspection

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to 3 children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home, and their views were taken into account.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2025.

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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: 2875917 2

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Summary of findings

Children receive care from staff that understand their individual needs. Children make progress in areas such as education, preparation for independent living, health and relationships. Staff respond well to identified risks to children and work with external professionals to keep the children safe. Leaders maintain effective oversight of children's care, using a reflective approach to care practice. The manager understands the home's strengths and areas for development. She is taking steps to strengthen the skills and confidence of staff. Children benefit from consistent care, meaningful relationships with staff and opportunities to achieve positive outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager plans children's moves into the home well. Staff give children care that meets their individual needs from the outset. When a child moved out of the home, the manager wrote a story about what they learned from the child's time at the home. The staff reflections focused on the child's achievements, challenges and the individualised care provided by staff. The work will provide continuity of care for the child's next home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to attend education that reflects their interests and learning needs. For example, one child combined horse care with mathematics, English and developing their independence skills. The child also loans a horse, taking caring responsibilities 4 times a week. This builds confidence, responsibility and practical skills to prepare the child for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children complete a 'my life skills journey' self-assessment before starting independence work. These self-assessments are tailored to each child. For example, for the child currently in the home the document reflects the child's interest in horses. The child has also requested support with using public transport and opening a bank account. The child's mentor uses this information to plan independence work that is aligned with the child's individual needs and aspirations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children's understanding of identity and culture through meaningful experiences. One child created a birthday scrapbook when reaching the age of 16. Another child celebrated a religious festival by visiting a mosque and enjoying traditional foods with staff. This helped the child develop respect for different cultures and beliefs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager has completed a 'progress showcase'. This details the child's experiences, progress and ongoing needs. This oversight ensures that care planning is responsive to the child's changing needs and that staff remain well informed as to the care they need to provide to children. Inspection report for children's home: 2875917 3

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

Staff take appropriate action to keep children safe when they go missing from home. Each child has an individual behaviour support plan, risk assessment and safety plan to guide staff in responding to identified risks. Following any incidents, staff undertake direct work with children to help them understand the risks associated with going missing. The manager reviews each incident and ensures that children's views are harnessed to inform any updates to their safety plans. This supports children to better understand their risks and contributes to safer future planning.

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

Staff promote good behaviour through giving children regular praise and recognition for their achievements. Staff use individual incentives to reward progress. For example, one child recently received a coffee shop voucher for meeting an agreed goal. Staff use proportionate consequences to help children understand the impact of their behaviour. The manager reviews consequences and has strengthened recording to evaluate their effectiveness. This ensures that behaviour support remains consistent and focused on children making safe choices.

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

The manager provides clear oversight of the use of door alarms in the home. These are only used at certain times and linked to an individual risk assessment that is agreed with external professional agencies. The child understands the purpose of the measure. Staff respond when the child may need assistance to support safeguarding. The manager regularly reviews whether the arrangement remains necessary and proportionate. This helps balance the child's safety with their right to privacy and independence.

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

Staff complete targeted direct work that reflects children's individual needs and risks. This includes work on safe relationships and the impact of discriminatory language. The manager maintains oversight of this work to ensure that it helps the child. This ensures that it is purposeful and contributes to children's plans and development. The manager recognises that children need ongoing support in some areas.

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

Staff store medication securely and administer it as prescribed. Records demonstrate that medication is given consistently. This promotes the children's health and wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager leads the home well. A newly appointed deputy manager supports her. Staff are safely recruited, and the ratio of staff to children is in line with the children's needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager maintains strong oversight of children's care. She provides clear direction to staff, ensuring that they understand the actions required to support children's progress and keep them safe. The manager also supports staff development and has increasingly delegated responsibilities to staff to help build staff confidence and encourage greater ownership of key tasks. Inspection report for children's home: 2875917 4 The manager promotes a learning culture. Team meetings focus on research, reflection and the needs of individual children. Staff use the chosen therapeutic model in their care practice. The manager and staff reflect on how children's experiences influence their behaviour. This helps staff understand children better and provide responsive care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager celebrates achievements of children and staff. A child has their 'wow' moments displayed in the dining room. Staff receive recognition with an employee of the month award. The manager completes personalised 'my journey' studies celebrating children's progress. This concludes with an individual letter recognising each child's achievements. This helps children understand the progress they have made and promotes positive self-esteem.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear understanding of strengths and areas for development. The development plan identifies priorities for the child and staff. The manager is introducing 'champion' roles. These will increase staff responsibility and accountability. Some staff identified a need for greater consistency in decision-making and boundaries. Leaders recognise this and continue to strengthen systems and expectations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: 2875917 5

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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: 2875917 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Susie Vere, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2875917 7 regulates 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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Inspector

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