Children's Home run by Active Care Organisation Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 1 Registered provider: Active Care Organisation 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 owned and managed by a private company. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of this 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 outstanding

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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 for children’s home: 2683082 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/08/2025 Full Good 17/02/2025 Full Good 13/02/2024 Full Good 19/09/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 3

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have established a supportive and child-centred environment that reflects the home’s ethos. Staff provide opportunities for the child to reflect on and understand decisions relating to their care. The child’s views, wishes and feelings are consistently considered and evident throughout practice. Staff understand the child’s needs well and manage risks effectively. Strong management oversight and positive working relationships with family members and external agencies contribute to positive outcomes for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build positive relationships with the child by spending time with them and engaging in activities they enjoy. This helps the child to develop trusting relationships within the home and promotes a sense of belonging. Staff work collaboratively with the child to identify hobbies and interests that are meaningful to them and support their participation in these activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to make progress in their health and education. Therapeutic support is available to meet individual needs and staff benefit from specialist training that enhances their understanding and care of the child. Managers work proactively with education providers and partner agencies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child moved on from the home in line with local authority plans for independence. Leaders and managers advocated for what they knew was important to the child and continued to work professionally with the local authority. Staff ensured the child knew they were cared for by supporting the child with visiting their new home. The child had a leaving celebration and staff provided them with keepsakes to remember their time at the home and the positive relationships they had built.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is clean and tidy. Leaders have identified areas that need repair and made plans to fix them. The child’s bedroom is personalised and reflects their individual tastes and interests. The child is working alongside staff to improve areas of the home that have been damaged, which is part of a restorative approach. This helps the child to develop individual responsibility.

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

Careful consideration is given to children moving into the home. Leaders work closely with partner agencies to gain a thorough understanding of known risks and assess whether staff have the skills and resources required to meet the child’s needs safely and effectively. This informs risk assessments and care plans, which clearly demonstrate how children’s needs will be met. Staff understand the child’s individual risks and the actions required to keep them safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 4 When missing-from-home incidents occur, staff make consistent efforts to locate the child. Staff notify external agencies in line with the child’s care plan and risk assessment. When the child returns home, staff provide a warm and safe space to ensure that the child knows they are cared for. Following their time away from the home, staff undertake meaningful discussions with the child to understand their experiences and identify

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

whether they have come to any harm. This helps staff to respond to any safeguarding concerns and provide appropriate support.

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

Professionals are extremely positive about the communication from staff and leadership in the home. Leadership contributes to regular multi-agency meetings to review and consider how to reduce risks. Leaders and managers engage proactively with these meetings and work effectively with partner agencies to safeguard the child and reduce the risk of further harm.

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

Staff are supported to provide consistent child-centred care in line with the child’s emotional and behavioural needs. Staff and managers benefit from regular reflective sessions with the home’s therapist. These sessions help staff to reflect on their practice and strengthen their understanding of the child’s needs. This helps to build confidence in times of crisis.

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

All incidents of physical intervention are recorded and include oversight by the registered manager. For one record, further detail is required when a child sustains an injury. Recordings should clearly detail who spoke with the child, what injuries were observed and what actions were taken in response. This will ensure transparency and allow effective management oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager of this home is suitably experienced and working towards the relevant qualification. He is passionate about ensuring that children have happy experiences living in this home. He leads staff by example and channels their efforts effectively. The registered manager is supported by a team of staff who share the same aspirations for children. Feedback from staff members was exceptionally positive and confirmed a real sense of team working.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The responsible individual provides strong and effective leadership. Together with the registered manager, they maintain detailed oversight of the home and ensure that the child and staff receive consistent support. Staff described the approach of leaders and managers as 'truly commendable'. Monitoring systems are robust and include regular internal audits and input from an external consultant. This process identifies clear areas for development, which are regularly monitored.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers maintain effective oversight of practice across all shifts, including visits to the home during the evening to monitor the quality of care and support overnight staff. They seek feedback from family members, professionals and staff to inform practice. Feedback is consistently positive and focuses on the support and Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 5 communication from leaders and managers. One professional said 'It is what I dream of for all of my young people. An organisation that is so proactive but also really thoughtful in how they support the child'. This strong leadership promotes a nurturing environment that ensures the child receives care in line with their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision is consistent and reflective. It enables staff to recognise strengths and areas for development in their practice. Discussions remain focused on the child’s experiences, while also acknowledging the potential impact on staff. This strengthens staff’s understanding of the child’s needs and helps to promote positive outcomes for the child. Staff are motivated to progress within their roles and are allocated tasks to support their own development. Annual performance appraisals reflect the commitment to the future development of staff

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

When complaints or allegations are made, managers respond promptly and effectively. Managers keep the child informed and supported throughout these processes. The child has access to an independent advocate and is encouraged to use this service to ensure that their voice is heard. The child says they feel listened to by managers and understand the plans for their care and future. This helps the child to feel valued, involved in decisions that affect them and confident that their views matter.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff undertake regular training to support their continual development. All staff have completed mandatory training, and staff were complimentary about the quality of the training available to them. Staff undertake additional training that reflects the specific individual needs of the child. Some staff have not yet completed their level 3 qualification within the required timescales, however leaders and managers maintain regular oversight and support staff to make progress toward this. Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that records include sufficient detail to understand all actions taken following incidents of restraint on children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that the home provides a welcoming, well- maintained environment to promote a positive living environment for children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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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 for children’s home: 2683082 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 86–90, Paul Street, London, Inner London EC2A 4NE

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Inspector

Hannah Shoreson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2683082 8 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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