Children's Home run by Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report children's home: 2615067 1 Registered provider: Northamptonshire Childrens Trust 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 is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2020.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living at the home. Both children were spoken to.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2615067 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/06/2025 Full Good 14/05/2024 Full Good 02/10/2023 Full Good 09/08/2022 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2615067 3

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Summary of findings

Children receive good-quality care from a committed and nurturing staff team. They are making positive progress in their health, education, emotional wellbeing and independence skills. Safeguarding arrangements are effective with strong leadership. Children benefit from stable relationships and meaningful experiences with staff who care for them. Minor shortfalls identified do not detract from the overall positive experiences and progress of children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved in and 3 children have moved out in a planned way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff speak warmly and positively about the children in their care. They demonstrate commitment to their roles and are motivated to provide high-quality care. One staff member said, 'Working with children has changed my life; I wish I had started sooner.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have developed trusting and meaningful relationships with staff. They are comfortable and relaxed in their interactions and enjoy spending time with them. One child said, 'Staff are wonderful; they are my family.' Children feel valued and cared for by staff, who are invested in their wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's health needs are understood and well supported. Staff have helped one child to make significant improvements to her physical health through sensitive support with diet and exercise. Staff have also supported the child to manage other health conditions, leading to increased confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged and supported to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. Staff maintain regular communication with parents. One child is working towards overnight stays with family. Another child regularly spends time with family. She also spends time with friends in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff place strong emphasis on education. Two children had experienced significant periods out of education before moving here. One child is now attending a specialist school, while the other is receiving tutoring and preparing to transition into school. Children are making good progress from their individual starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences. These include participation in a bowling club and attendance at a child in care participation group. Children enjoy concerts, country parks and theme parks. One child went on holiday to Wales. Children are actively involved in planning future holidays and experiences. These opportunities enrich children's lives and support their social development. Inspection report children's home: 2615067 4 Children are encouraged to express their views and wishes. They speak openly with staff, who listen and respond to their views. Both children regularly access support from an independent advocate. Children are provided with meaningful opportunities to influence decisions about their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop independence skills, including cooking, budgeting and daily living tasks. Children also participate in key-work sessions that cover important topics, such as substance misuse, bullying, racism and personal safety.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children move into and out of the home in a planned and thoughtful way whenever possible. Managers recognised when one child's needs could not be met effectively and worked with professionals to secure a more suitable home. Children are supported to maintain positive memories of their time in the home through goodbye meals and memory books. Some children continue to maintain contact with staff after moving on.

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

Staff receive appropriate safeguarding training and demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. Professionals report confidence in the workforce's ability to safeguard children effectively.

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

When safeguarding concerns arise, managers have multi-agency meetings to ensure that decisions are informed and focused on children's safety and welfare. Care planning is collaborative and child centred.

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

Managers make appropriate referrals to specialist services when concerns arise regarding exploitation or youth violence. One child received support from the police and specialist services following concerns relating to knife crime, racism and association with peers involved in criminal activity. Although engagement with some services was limited, staff continued to promote the support and intervention.

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

Managers have responded to allegations appropriately and taken actions to keep children safe. Relevant agencies, including the local authority designated officer and social workers, were notified promptly. The child was offered the chance to complain and was provided with appropriate support throughout the ongoing investigation.

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

There has been a high number of missing-from-home incidents, particularly involving one child who has since moved on. Staff respond appropriately to these incidents. They actively search for children, welcome them back and ensure that independent return home interviews are offered. Managers analyse incidents thoroughly to identify patterns, contributing factors and strategies to reduce future occurrences.

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

There has been a high number of physical interventions. The interventions are appropriate and necessary. Managers have completed detailed analysis of incidents involving physical intervention. This oversight has contributed to a reduction in the overall use of physical intervention. Children participate in reflective discussions following incidents, and staff receive debrief discussions and ongoing learning opportunities Inspection report children's home: 2615067 5 through reviews with a physical intervention instructor.

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

The registered manager has completed a detailed location risk assessment that identifies local risks and mitigation strategies. However, known information relating to local gang activity has not been included. As a result, the assessment does not provide a fully comprehensive overview of risks in the local area.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced, holding a relevant level 5 qualification. She is supported by a competent deputy manager. Staff report feeling well supported by managers, and many have worked at the home for several years, providing children with consistency and stability. The managers regularly work alongside staff, observe practice and provide feedback to promote good-quality care. Managers understand the importance of spending time with both children and staff to maintain effective oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals speak highly of the care provided. One independent reviewing officer described communication as excellent and reported that parents feel included in decision-making. She stated that one child is 'like a different person' and is flourishing due to the support provided by staff who understand and respond effectively to her complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision, which they describe as supportive and effective. Training opportunities are varied and include both online and face-to-face learning. Most staff have either achieved a relevant level 3 qualification or are working towards completion within required timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers respond appropriately to complaints. One complaint made by a parent was investigated thoroughly. The investigation identified a need for further staff development regarding the use of caring and appropriate language. Additional training and supervision were provided, and the parent confirmed satisfaction with the outcome.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feedback is generally positive. Managers are described as knowledgeable and approachable. The workforce provides continuity of care for children. However, some staff reported inconsistencies in team working, including occasions when colleagues did not provide sufficient support during incidents or demonstrate adequate initiative in completing tasks. Managers are already aware of these issues and have implemented measures to address them. Inspection report children's home: 2615067 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 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

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)) 18 September 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home's location and strategies for managing these. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 64, paragraph 15.1) Inspection report children's home: 2615067 7

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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 children's home: 2615067 8

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Northamptonshire Childrens Trust Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN1 1ED

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Jessica Mitchell

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2615067 9 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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