Children's Home run by North Star Children’s Homes Ltd in Surrey

Inspection report for children's home: 2788764 1 Registered provider: North Star Children's Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home was registered with Ofsted in September 2024. It provides care for up to 5 children between the ages of 8 and 17 who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, 4 children were living in the home.

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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 requires improvement to be 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: 11 November 2025

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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: 2788764 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/11/2025 Full Good 05/03/2025 Full Good 19/11/2024 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2788764 3

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Summary of findings

There are interim management arrangements in place in the absence of a registered manager. Children have clearer routines in place and feel more settled since leadership arrangements have stabilised. Training, supervision and staffing levels have also strengthened. The home is now calmer and more structured, and children are making steady progress.

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Summary of findings

Children's substance misuse is a concern, and children's views are not always responded to with the diligence they deserve.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have experienced some instability in this period. A lack of leadership guidance and management oversight have created uncertainty for staff and children. At times, this has resulted in an environment where some children felt unsafe. The recent appointment of a new manager has brought much-needed stability, and the home is now making steady and positive progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home's manager has invested considerable time in upskilling the staff team. This has increased staff knowledge, confidence and consistency in practice. As a result, children now benefit from improved structure and routine. Although some children initially resisted these changes, the increased predictability has helped them to feel more settled.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's engagement in education is good. While not all children are enrolled in full-time placements, all receive some form of alternative provision. Children who previously disengaged from learning are now participating in lessons and online tutoring. Some have progressed to sitting GCSE examinations. However, the amount of education offered varies between children, leaving some with significant unstructured time during the day. The manager has appropriately requested additional educational sessions for children where possible.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress from their starting points, particularly in developing independence and life skills. Several children are preparing for semi-independent living or other appropriate next steps.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff interact warmly with children and model respectful behaviour. Children approach staff with concerns or requests, demonstrating trust and positive relationships. Staff adapt their communication styles to meet children's individual needs, reflecting their understanding of each child. Inspection report for children's home: 2788764 4 Under new leadership, staff demonstrate renewed passion and ambition for their roles. They are committed to improving children's experiences and outcomes and delivering high-quality care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to express their views, wishes and feelings. Children are informed about the role of an independent advocate, and staff make referrals when children request one. Despite this, a recurring theme is that children do not always feel listened to. External professionals also note that children are not consistently consulted ahead of placement reviews or important meetings.

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improvement to be good

Despite high levels of staff supervision, children have been able to obtain and misuse substances in the home. Staff complete daily room searches and demonstrate curiosity about how drugs are entering the home. However, these actions have not yet reduced the risks, and the current strategies lack the impact needed to safeguard children effectively. This represents a serious shortfall in the home's ability to protect children from harm.

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improvement to be good

Children experience high levels of staff supervision, which contributes to a strong sense of safety and belonging. As a result, incidents of children going missing from home are minimal. On the occasions when children have left the home without permission, staff follow the agreed protocols, ensuring that professionals are informed and that children return safely, usually the following day. Staff speak to children about their experiences after they return.

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improvement to be good

Following one episode of a child going missing, external door alarms were installed as an additional safeguarding measure. However, the effectiveness of this action is undermined by the presence of large, unrestricted windows adjacent to the doors, which children could use to leave the building undetected. These risks were not considered during the review of safety measures, demonstrating a lack of robust risk assessment and strategic oversight.

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improvement to be good

There are currently no prescribed medications administered within the home. The administration of homely remedies is thorough and accurate. Staff demonstrate diligence in fulfilling their responsibilities, and, as a result, medication errors do not occur. Minor injuries are responded to appropriately, with first aid offered and clear records maintained, including body maps when required.

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improvement to be good

Children generally live alongside one another comfortably and harmoniously. When children disagree or have issues within their relationships, staff respond promptly to help children find resolutions and maintain a positive rapport.

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improvement to be good

Safer recruitment processes are robust. Following one recent recruitment concern within the wider organisation, the checks undertaken now exceed statutory requirements to Inspection report for children's home: 2788764 5 ensure that any staff recruited into the home are safe, suitable and of good character. This enhanced scrutiny provides an additional layer of protection for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The interim management arrangements have stabilised the home and have generated substantial and observable progress. Over recent months, the home has become a calmer, more structured and nurturing environment. Children are settled, well supported and benefiting from good routines and relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring that staff are well trained and equipped to meet the needs of the children. Staff have completed all mandatory training, and there are clear plans to extend their learning opportunities. New staff receive a comprehensive induction to support their early professional growth.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff now receive monthly supervision, which they report is consistent, reflective and of significantly improved quality. These sessions are used effectively as a supportive tool to enhance practice and maintain staff wellbeing. Monthly team meetings provide further opportunities for staff to share experiences, reflect on practice and contribute to the ongoing development of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is fully staffed, with plans to increase staffing levels further to ensure continuity of care during periods of annual leave or sickness. This proactive approach aims to eliminate the need for agency staff and ensure that children are consistently supported by familiar adults. Increased staffing capacity will also provide greater flexibility for children to engage in additional activities and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have not always ensured that they provide consistent and accurate information to children that is delivered in a child-centred way. Therefore, children have not always felt confident that staff all have the same knowledge and are all aware of how the home is running to provide the best care for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from external professionals has been mixed. However, more recent views are increasingly positive. This improvement appears to reflect the significant changes and developments implemented under the new management team. Inspection report for children's home: 2788764 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 children's views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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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.

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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

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. (Regulation 7 (1)(c) (2)(a)(iii)) 15 July 2026

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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

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(vi)(b)) 15 July 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2788764 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home provides a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of the children. They should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than 'institutional' impression of children's care. This includes minimising the use of institutional language, including when having conversations with children. Leaders and managers should review the use of the door alarm system to establish if it is effective and necessary given other available exit routes are not alarmed. (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15 paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2788764 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider: North Star Children's Homes Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 14, David Mews, London W1U 6EQ

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Inspector

Vicki Horton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2788764 9 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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