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

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties. One child is living at the home and they were at school during this visit.

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Information about this children's home

The registered manager's post has been vacant since 19 February 2026.

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This monitoring visit

During the full inspection on 1 June 2026, serious and widespread failures in safeguarding practices, ineffective leadership and management and poor care and experiences of children were identified. The home was judged inadequate and 2 compliance notices were issued, under regulation 6 and regulation 13 of The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015. In addition, a notice to restrict the home's accommodation was served to prevent any other children being moved into the home.

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This monitoring visit

Since the full inspection, the appointed manager has resigned and withdrawn their application to register with Ofsted. A deputy manager has also resigned and the other has been relocated to support another of the provider's children's homes. Although there are plans for a senior manager to support the day-to-day management of this home, they also have other responsibilities. As a result, the proposed plans do not offer the child or staff the level of support that they need. The management plans were strengthened during this visit.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are continuing to assess staff skills, experience and training needs. Staff have been offered some support to help them to understand the home's approach to care. However, leaders and managers have failed to help staff to recognise the vulnerabilities in their practice. As a result, the necessary improvements to the care and support of the child living at the home have not yet happened. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 2 There has been one incident since the full inspection, but records do not accurately outline what happened. As a result, it is difficult for leaders and managers to review, evaluate and improve the support that staff provide to the child. It is not clear how staff seek to de-escalate challenging situations and encourage the child to express themselves in safer ways. This is another barrier to improvement.

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This monitoring visit

Sufficient action has not yet been taken to ensure that the child's needs are met and that they are helped to stay safe effectively. Although the child's care plans have been reviewed, they do not support meaningful improvement to the care that they are provided with.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have escalated concerns that the child's education, health and care plan has not been reviewed or finalised. Although some progress has been made, this has not yet been resolved. As a result, the child's plans for further education remain unconfirmed. In addition, leaders and managers have identified that the child does not have a pathway plan to support them into adulthood. Advocacy support has been requested for the child, but leaders and managers are unsure of what progress has been made to secure this support.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are working with the home's independent visitor to strengthen the impact and helpfulness of their visits to promote improvements to the quality of care. One visit from the independent visitor has since been completed. However, it is not yet possible to evaluate whether the increased scrutiny will support change.

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This monitoring visit

Most of the damage to the home that was caused during a serious incident in May 2026 has been repaired. Leaders and managers have taken opportunities to involve the child in the plans to redecorate their home. They have also discussed changes to the child's care with them. This helps the child to develop a more positive sense of belonging and being cared for. Staff practice that encouraged unhealthy lifestyle choices has been addressed.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers recognise that sufficient action has not yet been taken to meet the compliance notices or requirements that were issued following the full inspection. As a result, the restriction of accommodation remains in place. Due to the significant shortfalls identified, Ofsted served a notice of proposal to cancel the home's registration on 30 June 2026. On 8 July 2026, the provider a submitted an application to voluntary cancel their registration and cease operating. Ofsted has accepted the application to voluntary cancel the home's registration. Ofsted will continue to monitor the home until the home's voluntary cancellation comes into effect. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/06/2026 Full Inadequate 03/06/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 4

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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 with 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

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 work as a team where appropriate;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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; 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)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that robust management arrangements are in place to ensure that the quality of care provided to children is overseen by managers 9 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 5 who have the necessary skills and experience. When staff practice is not in line with the home's approach to care, leaders and manager's must support staff to improve their practice.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the systems for the recording, reporting and monitoring of incidents are effective in helping children to stay safe. Leaders and managers must support children and staff to reflect on their behaviours so that learning is identified. Children and staff must be supported to understand what they could do differently in the future to achieve more positive outcomes.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff are supported to develop the skills and knowledge that they need to meet children's needs and keep them safe. Leaders and managers must ensure that consistent care is provided by staff who understand the children's needs and how to keep them safe.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must undertake an urgent review of the care that is provided to children. Robust action must be taken to ensure that children's needs are met, they are protected from harm and are supported to have positive experiences and make progress.

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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; and

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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

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; 9 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 6 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; 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)(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 supporting children to make healthy lifestyle choices and to achieve in education.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff support children to develop the skills that they will need in adulthood. Staff must help children to understand why these skills are important and how they will help them in the future. Staff must encourage children to hold high aspirations for themselves and support them to achieve their goals.

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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

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; 9 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 7 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

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)(iv)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff have the skills and experience required to meet children's needs and help them to stay safe. Staff must have a robust understanding of their roles and responsibilities and take effective action to protect children from harm.

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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.

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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) (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 there are sufficient numbers of staff who have the necessary skills and experience to meet children's needs and protect them from harm. 9 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 8 The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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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

meet each child's behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child's behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children; and

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to recognise incidents or indications of bullying and how to deal with them. (Regulation 11 (1)(b) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iv)(v)(xi)(xiii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff help children to express their thoughts and feelings in safe ways. Children must be supported to develop socially aware behaviours, understand risk and make safe choices.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff support children to withdraw from harmful relationships and respond to bullying behaviours, including when online, effectively. 9 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child's placing authority effectively in the child's care, in accordance with the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child's needs; and 9 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 9 if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority's or a relevant person's performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child's needs are met in accordance with the child's relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that barriers to children's education and progress are identified and resolved swiftly. When support from external professionals is delayed, leaders and managers must use escalation procedures to ensure that children's needs are met and their care plans are reflective of the support that they require. This specifically relates to ensuring that children's education, health and care plan and pathway plan are regularly reviewed and up to date.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that children are provided with the opportunity to reflect on their behaviours, including after they have been reported missing from home, to ensure that children are protected from harm. Staff must listen to children and review the strategies that they use to help children to express themselves in safer way based on children's reflections.

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Requirement Due date

The health and wellbeing standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and wellbeing needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and wellbeing; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and wellbeing outcomes that are recorded in the child's relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child's wellbeing. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iv)) 9 August 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 10 In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff provide children with healthy and balanced diets. Staff must help children to understand the importance of healthy and balanced diets and the impact that unhealthy diets can have on their physical and emotional health.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that children are supported to understand the health risks of smoking and vaping. Staff must support children to make healthy lifestyle choices.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

the independent person's report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a) (5)) 9 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject of a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2812467 11

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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 - monitoring visit: 2812467 12 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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