Children's Home run by Homes 2 Inspire Limited in Somerset

Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for three children who have social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home. One child spoke with the inspector, but the other children declined.

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Information about this children’s home

There is no registered manager in post. The deputy manager has recently been appointed as the manager but has not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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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.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: 18 November 2025

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/11/2025 Full Good 01/10/2024 Full Good 15/08/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 3

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Summary of findings

Leaders’ and managers’ poor planning, inconsistent approaches to children’s care and the ineffective management of risk have meant that children have been put at an increased risk of harm. Staff have not been able to meet children’s needs or help them to progress effectively. Staff do not have the skills and experience to meet children’s needs and help them to stay safe. Management oversight of the standard of care provided to children is ineffective.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Since the previous inspection, one child has moved out of the home, and one child has moved in. The child who moved out of the home did so following significant incidents that staff were not able to safely manage. As a result, the child experienced unplanned moves, prolonged instability and uncertainty.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Appropriate educational arrangements are not in place for all children. When children are not attending school, staff do not consistently encourage them to engage in meaningful, structured activities that promote learning, develop skills and boost confidence. This limits children’s opportunities to make progress and achieve.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children’s care is not planned effectively. Their goals and needs are not well-understood by staff, which limits opportunities for staff to provide meaningful support. Children are not always provided with appropriate routines and boundaries, and they are not consistently encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices. In addition, staff do not consistently help children to maintain their bedrooms to a good standard of cleanliness. Children’s experiences of living at this home are negative and they are not provided with good-quality care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children are not consistently supported to develop the range of skills that they will need in the future. Staff struggle to motivate children to learn new skills and understand their importance. Children are not helped to develop their emotional resilience and there are pressing concerns that one child will become socially isolated in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

A professional said that the staff do not have the skills or experience they need to overcome the barriers that limit children’s progress. A parent has raised significant concerns about their child’s lack of progress, and they explained that their child’s emotional health has declined because they do not receive good-quality care. Positive feedback was received from two professionals who are involved in the care of other children living at the home. One said that their child has been supported to increase their confidence, sense of identity and ability to express themselves. Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 4

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

Leaders, managers and staff do not proactively identify or respond to risk or vulnerabilities in children’s care. The actions taken to address shortfalls are insufficient and do not reflect the significant impact on children’s safety and wellbeing.

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

Leaders, managers and staff do not consistently help children to stay safe because they do not have the skills or experience to successfully de-escalate challenging situations. On some occasions, staff have locked themselves in the office and called the police for help because the support that they provide to children is ineffective and has resulted in risk escalating. Staff are not helped to develop the skills or experience they need to respond to children and reduce risk effectively.

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

Following challenging incidents, staff are not given sufficient opportunities to reflect on their practice or learn from what has happened at this home and across the organisation’s other children’s homes. There are repeated concerns about children accessing items that place them at significant risk of harm. Leaders, managers and staff have failed to take the necessary action to safeguard children and protect them.

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

Staff do not always have a robust understanding of the risks that children are exposed to or how to help children stay safe. The measures that are in place to help children stay safe online are insufficient and inconsistently applied. As a result, staff do not have a clear understanding of what children are doing online, who they are speaking to and the risks that they are exposed to.

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

Leaders and managers do not always robustly consider and mitigate the risks that are posed to children when concerns about staff conduct are raised. One child is aware of serious concerns that have been raised about staff, which makes them feel unsafe. They also raised concerns about the safety of other children looked after by the organisation. The action taken by leaders and managers to response to risk is poor and does not protect children’s welfare.

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

There are currently three internal investigations underway in relation to staff practice and conduct. The immediate responses from leaders and managers to the concerns and allegations have been appropriate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The previous registered manager of the home was in place when the home was registered. However, they were promoted to the position of responsible individual and the registered manager’s position has remained vacant since 17 November 2025. The deputy manager has recently been appointed as the manager, and they have not yet submitted their application to register with Ofsted. The interim management arrangements have been ineffective and a lack of management oversight and support from senior leaders has impacted the quality of care and safety of children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 5 The new manager has not received the support that they need to improve the care of children and protect them from harm effectively. Managers and staff do not have a good understanding of how to meet children’s needs or keep them safe. The therapeutic approach to childcare chosen by leaders and managers is not applied consistently and

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

the care that is provided is not in line with the home’s statement of purpose. As a result, children’s progress is hindered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff training compliance is generally positive, and the manager has good oversight of staff training needs. However, staff do not have the skills and experience to apply their knowledge to the care of children. Children’s needs are not well understood, and risk is not managed effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Before children move to the home, there is limited consideration of staff’s ability to meet their needs and keep them safe. The processes that leaders and managers use to assess the home’s suitability to care for children is ineffective. Protective factors are not identified, and risks are not consistently recognised. There is no consideration of staff skills, experience or sufficiency. As a result, leader’s and manager’s decision-making is based on incomplete information and places children at risk of harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leader’s and manager’s oversight and monitoring of the home is ineffective, and managers do not have a sound understanding of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. Systems in place to evaluate the quality of care are not sufficient to promote continuous improvement. There is a lack of consultation with children, their families, external professionals and staff to ensure that children’s needs are met and that they are helped to stay safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Feedback from staff is generally positive. However, staff do not have a clear understanding of children’s care needs and vulnerabilities. Leaders’ and manager’s lack of support for staff has resulted in poor experiences and care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Due to the significant concerns that have been identified during this inspection, a notice restricting accommodation has been imposed. On 30 June 2026, Ofsted served a notice of proposal to cancel the home’s registration. Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 6

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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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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff have a good understanding of the risks to which children are exposed, and how to help them to stay safe. Clear and consistent guidance and strategies must be put in place to protect children from harm and reduce risk, including when children are online.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff have the skills and experience they need to keep children safe. Staff must be supported to apply their learning from training to their practice so that children are protected from harm. In addition, the registered person must ensure a proactive response to risk to prevent vulnerabilities in children’s care. Learning from previous inspections must be used to improve children’s care and protect children from harm. Staff must be supported to reflect on their 17 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 7 responses to children to help them to reduce risk and de- escalate challenging situations effectively.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that robust and effective safer recruitment procedures are used to help determine the suitability of staff to work with children. In addition, when concerns are raised about staff who work in other children’s homes, the registered manager must assess and explore transferrable risk and take action to protect children from harm.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 12 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must ensure that the systems in place to maintain oversight and monitor children’s needs and the care that staff provide are effective in helping children to make progress and stay safe. These systems should also take into 17 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 8 account the views and wishes of relevant people to promote improvement and continuous development to the quality of care that children receive.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff have the skills and experience to meet children’s needs and overcome barriers to their care. Leaders and managers must provide consistent and sufficient support to staff to promote good-quality and safe care for children.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children’s care and support is planned effectively, meets children’s needs and protects them from harm.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that, before children move to the home, their care needs and the associated risks are robustly assessed and understood. Leaders and managers must use this understanding to determine whether staff have the necessary skills and experience to meet children’s needs and protect them from harm. 17 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; 17 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 9 use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably; and

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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. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iv)(vi)(vii)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff have a robust understanding of the home’s statement of purpose and how to apply it to their role. Leaders and managers must ensure that staff have the skills and experience to deliver care and support that is consistent with the home’s statement of purpose and the overall aims and outcomes it seeks to achieve for children. This includes applying the home’s chosen therapeutic approach to care, providing children with positive routines and boundaries and supporting children to develop the skills that they will need in adulthood.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff provide children with appropriate care and support to meet their individual needs. In addition, staff must help children to tidy their bedrooms so that their rooms are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness. Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 10 The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible; and

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(viii)(x)).

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children are provided with suitable support to attend and engage in their education. When children are not in full-time education, they are encouraged to engage in suitable structured and meaningful activities that promote their development and learning. 17 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 11

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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: 2719373 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Black Country House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury B69 2DG

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Inspector

Martin Brown, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2719373 13 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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