Children's Home run by Integral Care Group Ltd in Croydon

Inspection report for children’s home: 2800095 1 Registered provider: Integral Care Group Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living in the home. Both children were present and spoke to inspectors during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in February 2025. A new manager has been appointed and has applied for registration with Ofsted.

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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 outstanding

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2800095 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2800095 3

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Summary of findings

Children receive good-quality care, supporting them to make progress and have positive relationships with staff. Staff are aware of risks to children, enabling them to manage risks and keep children safe. Leadership and management are of high quality, having a direct and positive impact on children and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have continued to receive good-quality care, which is individualised and tailored to each child’s needs. The children told the inspectors that they are happy in the home, they feel cared for and they have developed positive relationships with staff. Children are making progress, with a reduction in behavioural and missing-from-home incidents. Staff celebrate children’s achievements by awarding certificates and using verbal praise and rewards to mark their progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the children’s bedrooms are decorated according to each child’s tastes. Staff know the children well and have taken the time to understand their likes, interests and how they like their day structured, using a ‘day in the life’ planner with the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When there have been challenges with children accessing education, staff have advocated for children to access the educational placement they need. The manager has worked with the local authority and virtual school to arrange alternative education, such as a tutor, while school placements are found. Staff also encourage educational activities and learning, such as going to the library and completing educational workbooks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to engage in familiar and new activities in and outside of the home. These help build their confidence, self-esteem and social skills. One child has been producing music at a local studio. This has given them a sense of purpose and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection in July 2025, 4 children have moved out of the home. Staff have supported the children, whether these moves have been planned or unplanned, to ensure positive endings. Transitions into and out of the home are managed with care; all plans are individualised and are incorporated into planning across the wider professional network.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

External professionals, including social workers, speak very positively about the consistent care that the children receive. The home has developed positive links with other agencies, such as local police officers, youth offending teams and child and adolescent mental health services, to ensure that the children access the services that they need at the right time. Inspection report for children’s home: 2800095 4

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

Staff have a good understanding of the risks that children face and are sensitive as to how they approach and support children. Staff use detailed risk assessments and care plans to manage risks and triggers day to day. Staff respond in a calm manner, and this helps the children to develop a sense of belonging.

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

The children have not been reported missing from care since living in the home. This is notable progress for one child, who had a history of frequently going missing from their previous home.

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

The manager responds to any complaints raised and is working with the local council and police to resolve any concerns as they arise.

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

Physical interventions are used as a last resort and only when necessary to ensure the safety of children or others. The in-house positive behaviour support lead, who was appointed earlier this year, reflects with staff after each incident to consider learning and any alternative strategies to use in the future. This helps staff to understand the children’s behaviours and what they are trying to communicate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The new leadership and management structure has been very well considered, ensuring minimal disruption to staff and children during the transition. The structure has enabled staff to receive more robust support, which in turn has had a positive impact on the care and progress of the children. For example, one child, who was supposed to have been transported using secure transport due to identified risks, was able to be transported by staff using the home’s own vehicle. The child was receiving 3:1 supervision when they started living in the home but now has time in the community on their own to engage in activities that they enjoy without supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The previous registered manager continues to oversee and support the proposed registered manager, who had been the deputy manager, so knows the home well. The proposed manager has demonstrated strong leadership in their role and has introduced several new processes, such as a tracking tool to help monitor the progress of the children more effectively. The tool has strengthened reflective practice and has enhanced staff understanding of the impact of their care, promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff said they feel inspired and increasingly confident. The staff spoke very highly of their manager, saying that the manager is experienced and leads with passion and that they have an excellent working relationship with them. They comment that the manager has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining the home’s positive culture, high standards and child-centred approach to care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2800095 5 Leaders and managers ensure that there is safer recruitment of staff. Checks are completed and verified for all new staff. Staff have a two-week induction, which includes shadowing other staff, and all staff are expected to complete training that is geared towards understanding the needs of the children. Reflective supervision and clinical supervision are offered to staff, providing them with further opportunities to learn and improve their knowledge, and all staff have development plans to ensure ongoing

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leaders and managers have effective recording systems and make good use of the trackers that have been created to enable better monitoring of children’s progress. Records are of a good standard. The leaders and managers ensure that there are regular monitoring and auditing to maintain compliance, while ensuring that the children remain at the centre of their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leaders and managers communicate effectively with other agencies, ensuring that updates are shared promptly and that plans are put in place so that the children continue to experience a good standard of care. External professionals reported that they are always kept updated and that there is positive multi-agency working with the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2800095 6

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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: 2800095 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Integral Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1st Formations Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ

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Inspectors

Rumbi Kawadza-Munsaka, Social Care Inspector Jo Tarbie, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2800095 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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