Children's Home run by AVB Enterprises Ltd in Leicester

Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 1 Registered provider: AVB Enterprises 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 operated by a private provider. It offers care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2026. The provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and Ofsted is checking whether this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 2 children living at the home at the time of the inspection, and their views were sought.

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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 and their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: Serious and widespread concerns were identified at the home during an assurance inspection on 20 October 2025. Following the inspection, 2 statutory requirements were raised, and 2 compliance notices were issued in relation to Regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). As a result, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation to ensure that no further children were admitted. Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 2 During a monitoring visit on 3 December 2025, the compliance notices and statutory requirements raised following the assurance inspection were determined to have not been met. Four statutory requirements were restated, and the notice restricting accommodation was reissued.

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inadequate

A notice of proposal to cancel the provider’s registration was issued on 18 December 2025.

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inadequate

During a further monitoring visit on 28 January 2026, the statutory requirements had not been met and were restated. The notice restricting accommodation remained.

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inadequate

On 5 February 2026, written representations in relation to the notice of proposal to cancel the provider’s registration were upheld.

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inadequate

On 3 March 2026, a further monitoring visit identified some limited progress in meeting the statutory requirements that were previously raised. However, these requirements were restated. The notice restricting accommodation was lifted on 4 March 2026. Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 4

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Summary of findings

The provider has a poor track record and has failed repeatedly to deliver a good standard of care to children. Previous enforcement action has not driven forward improvements. The provider has failed to make or uphold any sustained improvements since the home opened in 2024. The most recent monitoring visit was carried out on 3 March 2026 from which there has been further decline in the effectiveness of care. In this short time frame, the safety of children has declined. Children have not been kept safe, and there has been no sustained improvement. Children are not making any notable progress. This does not provide Ofsted with confidence in the provider’s capacity to provide safe care for any children living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children’s overall experiences and progress are significantly limited because of living in this home. Neither child is accessing education, and there is no educational structure or routine to support learning or engagement. Daily life lacks consistency, boundaries and purposeful activity, resulting in stagnation for children. Leaders and managers have not ensured that children receive the support they need to make progress in key areas of their development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Inadequate care planning for a child moving into the home in an emergency has resulted in serious incidents that compromise children’s safety and wellbeing. Despite knowing key details about the child’s needs and vulnerabilities, the assessment of compatibility failed to identify clear risks relating to the child’s proposed peer, and no consideration was given to how these significant risks could be managed safely. This decision was rushed and based primarily on an existing relationship with the placing authority. As a result of this poor decision-making, 2 children have suffered significant harm.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff have failed to support one child to work towards semi-independence. No meaningful planning or preparatory work has been achieved, creating a significant disadvantage for them. The absence of structured planning leaves the child without the skills, routines or support needed to prepare for adulthood. This demonstrates a failure to promote children’s long-term progress or equip them for future independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not ensured effective communication with the local authority. Plans are in place for one child to leave the home imminently; however, although the registered manager disagreed with the local authority’s decision about informing the child, they have not challenged this decision. As a result, the sharing of essential information that could affect the child’s wellbeing and sense of stability has been delayed. This reflects a lack of child-centred practice and contributes to children feeling unsupported and uninformed about significant changes in their lives. Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 5

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

Leaders and managers have failed to demonstrate a clear understanding of the significant risks and vulnerabilities for children. Risk assessments are ineffective and outdated, and they fail to reflect known risks. Staff are unaware of key risk information shared by external professionals, and, furthermore, essential safety plans are not accessible. These systematic failures leave children without adequate protection.

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

There have been several missed opportunities to identify and address risks relating to a child being in possession of a mobile phone, contrary to their care plan and subsequent court-directed order. This has contributed to a delay in identifying inappropriate activity between the children living in the home, which was recorded on the child’s mobile phone. Opportunities to intervene are repeatedly missed. This represents a serious failure to safeguard children from predictable harm.

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

Staff responses to risk are inadequate. Staff do not have accurate information and direction relating to the required supervision of children, and they have failed to act accordingly when children were found together unsupervised. Managers did not ensure that concerns were escalated to the local authority or that children were spoken to following incidents. When staff have raised concerns, leaders and managers have failed to take protective steps. Furthermore, despite the concerns being known, one child’s required staffing ratio has not been consistently implemented. These failures demonstrate weak oversight and an inability to maintain safe practice.

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

Staff have failed to address the known risks for a child relating to criminal exploitation, county lines and drugs misuse, which have escalated significantly. Staff are aware of escalating drugs misuse, possession of unexplained high-value items and increased changes in behaviour; however, there has been no meaningful review of the agreed safety plan. Welfare checks have been ineffective, with staff often unaware of the child’s whereabouts for significant periods. Staff’s response to risk has not been reviewed, and safety planning has not been adjusted accordingly, despite clear indicators of increased risk. The child remains at significant risk of harm due to failings of the service.

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

A drug treatment agency has provided emergency rescue medication to use in the event of a lifesaving emergency. However, leaders and managers have not ensured that staff are trained to access and administer this rescue medication in case of an emergency. Considering that the child should also carry the medication on their person while out of the home, there has been no review carried out with the child relating to the safe self- administration and a further failure to monitor any use of the emergency rescue medication.

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

Leaders failed to secure themselves a copy of a legal order relating directly to a child’s care. This was only obtained during the inspection. On receipt, the order contained inaccurate information. While the registered manager has taken steps to identify the contents of the order and shared this with staff, in the absence of the formal order, staff cannot be assured that actions taken are as directed and in the best interests of the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 6 Leaders and managers have failed to respond to allegations made by children. Several allegations have not been investigated and have therefore not been shared with the local authority designated officer or safeguarding agencies. Furthermore, leaders and managers have failed to notify the regulator of serious incidents that have taken place, including allegations of harm and police attendance at the home. This prevents effective

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home registered with Ofsted in September 2024. Since this time, leaders and managers have failed to address systemic failures to provide a good standard of care for children. This is reflected in the judgement and enforcement history since registration.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have failed to provide effective management oversight of safeguarding practice. Although the registered manager has attempted to introduce a new structure, oversight of incidents remains inconsistent. The registered manager and interim responsible individual have reviewed and evaluated incidents; however, they have failed to identify significant safeguarding information and act on the concerns that have been documented. This has contributed to escalating and prolonged risks for both children and demonstrates a fundamental failure in leadership to ensure safe and accountable practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The leadership team lacks alignment and collaboration. The interim responsible individual is contracted to the home for one day per week and therefore does not have the capacity to provide adequate leadership and oversight. The registered manager reports an absence of support from the responsible individual and not having a positive working relationship. This breakdown has contributed to ineffective decision-making and a lack of professional challenge. Leaders and managers have not ensured that staff are consistently guided, supported or held to account, resulting in unsafe practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not ensured effective staff reflection and accountability. Staff have not received regular supervision, and when concerns have been raised, they have not been acted on. This has contributed to missed opportunities for learning and increasing risks for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have failed to challenge partner agencies when care and safety planning for children are inadequate. This demonstrates an over-reliance on local authority decisions and a lack of professional curiosity. This has resulted in multiple missed opportunities to protect children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 7

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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

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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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

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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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;

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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

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded; 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 8 that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health; and

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

timely and appropriate safeguarding action is taken following the identification of a potential risk to a child;

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Requirement Due date

staff have the skills and oversight, including effective supervision and safety planning, to protect children and prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

children’s views are consistently sought following incidents;

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Requirement Due date

assessments of risk are detailed and contain the most relevant information. Staff must follow the risk assessments consistently. This includes ensuring that risks relating to substance misuse are managed effectively and that medical advice is followed consistently when a child is suspected of misusing substances.

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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

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 9 ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to 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

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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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 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

management oversight is consistent and that any shortfalls in staff practice are addressed promptly;

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Requirement Due date

learning from incidents is recorded and shared with the staff team to promote reflective practice. This includes ensuring that staff receive regular reflective supervision.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 10 any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(iv)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff provide care as outlined in each child’s care plan, including preparation for moving to semi-independent living or adulthood. 6 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

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

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; 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 11 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

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child’s learning. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(x)(b))

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Requirement Due date

staff implement routines and boundaries to support children in accessing education and learning opportunities while they are not in full-time education;

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Requirement Due date

any delays in children accessing education are escalated promptly. Consideration must be given to any additional assessments or support that may improve learning opportunities 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;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home; 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 12 manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed;

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Requirement Due date

that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(c)(e)(i))

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Requirement Due date

care planning for children includes known and escalating risks;

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Requirement Due date

shortfalls in planning for children are escalated to relevant professionals without delay and that appropriate action is taken to address escalating risks;

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Requirement Due date

suitability assessments for children to live together are robust and consider all known needs.

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Requirement Due date

An individual may only carry on a children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (5).

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Requirement Due date

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (1) (7)(b)) 6 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 13

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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: 2777336 14

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: AVB Enterprises Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bhatt & Co, 5 University Road, Leicester LE1 7RA

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Inspectors

Caroline Coop, Social Care Inspector Eleanor Quanbrough, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2777336 15 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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