Children's Home run by Bridge2Future Ltd in Derbyshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2801647 1 Registered provider: Bridge2Future Ltd

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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 is privately owned and provides care for up to 4 children who may have emotional and behavioural needs.

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Information about this children's home

There was one child living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children's home

Inspectors spoke with the child on both days of the inspection.

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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: none Inspection report for children's home: 2801647 2

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Summary of findings

This is the home's first full inspection. A monitoring visit was carried out in October 2025 to assure the regulator that the home could begin to accommodate children. At this inspection, there was one child. There are advanced plans to accommodate a second child. Leaders and managers have recognised that they are a new and developing team. In a relatively short time, a child has made progress, sometimes significant, in several areas, including education, health and their overall wellbeing. Staff are guided by well- organised and detailed plans. They are supported by a highly motivated registered manager. In this home, there are strong signs of early, but gradually sustained, progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child, within a short timescale, is making good progress. Their health and educational outcomes are improving. There are comprehensive plans for the child to return to school. The child is consistently building on their self-esteem and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When a child is new to the home, managers ensure that there is a good level of planning. Children receive a guide to the home that details practical information, including their bedroom and the allowances they are entitled to. Children then visit and meet other children who live here. Staff handwrite a letter to welcome children. They provide welcome gifts linked to children's interests. Staff are aware of the emotional effect on children coming to the home for the first time and the importance of children settling in a new environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is registered with the necessary health services. When appointments are needed, staff take the time to prepare the child and support them to attend. Staff have encouraged the child to expand their limited diet through the careful introduction of new food experiences, such as attending a food festival and having the option to try new foods in a fun and vibrant way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making steady but measurable progress with their emotional and mental health needs. Staff's nurturing care practice promotes an increase in the child's self- esteem and confidence. When a child is passionate about a cause, staff encourage them to take part in charity work. When the child struggles with social situations, careful planning encourages them to become part of their community, such as attending a youth group.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Significant progress has already been made with the child's education. Managers have ensured that while the child is waiting for a school place, any drift in learning is limited. Managers have worked with education providers to secure a laptop and funding for additional learning equipment. There is a tutor in place for daily lessons, which begin at the usual school time to encourage a healthy routine. This has meant that the child has regained their enthusiasm for learning. Inspection report for children's home: 2801647 3 The child is living in a large house, which is of a very high specification. Children have free access to all areas without restriction. A large garden provides space to enjoy the outdoors and has a trampoline. The child enjoys having a large and well-kept bedroom, containing items of their choice.

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

The aspirational staff provide a high level of nurturing care. They are positive adult role models, who want to teach the child a wide range of life skills. The child is responding to this and gravitates to staff when requiring any help, or to discuss their worries and concerns. Staff have been thoughtful and understand that the child may not always want to voice a concern. Staff have developed a system so that the child can leave notes for staff, who respond both in a timely manner and with care.

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

Staff continually build on their knowledge of the child and the most appropriate way to support them and keep them safe. The child has detailed risk assessments and behaviour support plans. These documents provide staff with the necessary guidance on how to meet the child's current needs on a day-to-day basis and ensure they remain safe. Risk assessments are reviewed to accurately reflect levels of risk. This means that, when possible, children can experience new challenges and develop new skills while remaining safe.

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

Managers take safeguarding seriously and they have effective processes to scrutinise staff's care practice. They effectively challenge staff when improvements are identified. Measures are put in place to update and upskill individual staff and the team. This means that raising the standard of care that children receive is a collective approach.

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

When a child makes an allegation or shares any concerns, staff ensure that they are listened to and taken seriously. Key-work sessions between staff and the child are undertaken to further explore the impact of speaking up. Staff offer support and guidance to help the child work through their concerns in a structured and child-focused way.

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

The manager has reviewed the safer recruitment processes. Some changes have been made and the process is now stronger. This helps to ensure that only those adults who have been assessed as safe to work with children are employed in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A committed registered manager leads the home. They are supported by a dedicated deputy manager. The staff team is relatively new and gaining experience. The manager knows the strengths and weaknesses of the team and what they need to do to further develop the staff's skills. Inspection report for children's home: 2801647 4 The manager works in close collaboration with external professional agencies. They keep professionals continually updated regarding the child and their progress. Partner agencies acknowledge that the staff are being effective in supporting the child in achieving good progress in a short timeframe. The manager has strongly advocated for the child when needed. This has ensured that their wishes are heard and acted on when required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the importance of consistent boundaries for the child. They support and encourage staff to develop the confidence to implement structure. This has meant that routines for the child have been quickly implemented. The child has responded to this model of care and has helped the child to settle quickly with early signs of having a positive effect.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report feeling well managed and supported. Staff morale at the home is high, and there is a positive and energetic approach from staff. The staff receive regular and highly effective professional supervision. This is enhanced through group training opportunities that equip staff to meet the needs of the children. Staff are qualified or working towards the required qualification. In addition, staff complete the organisation's mandatory training and an array of additional online training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good management oversight through a variety of internal quality assurance systems. This helps the manager to ensure that timescales are met for a range of activities that relate to the running of the home. Independent scrutiny is now built into the quality assurance systems.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have not ensured that the regulator engaged an independent visitor to visit the home in line with regulations. However, these missed visits have taken place prior to children being admitted and therefore had limited impact. Inspection report for children's home: 2801647 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44) to ensure continuous improvement. ('Guide to Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards', page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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: 2801647 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Bridge2future, Surestore, Ninth Avenue, Burton-On- Trent, England DE14 3JZ

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Inspectors

Simon Hunter, Social Care Inspector Paula Kelly, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2801647 7 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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