Children's Home run by Inspire Hope Limited in Merton

Inspection report children's home: 2846297 1 Registered provider: Inspire Hope 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

The privately run home provides care for up to 3 children with social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The home and manager registered January 2026.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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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: 2846297 2

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Summary of findings

One child has lived in the home since registration. Staff provide nurturing care that supports the child to settle and make steady, continuing progress. Staff adapt approaches to communicate and meet the needs of the child, supporting participation on a day-to-day basis. Staff motivate and support educational progress and goals for the child. Staff understand risks for the child. The registered manager implements additional training to meet the needs of the child.

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Summary of findings

Improvements are needed around missing-from-care procedures and safer recruitment practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff supported the child to settle in well in a welcoming and warm environment. Staff take time to engage with the child and build trusting relationships with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff work alongside other professionals when a child moves into the home. For example, staff visited the child and provided videos of the home, enabling the child to select a bedroom of their choice. This gives children a sense of belonging and eases their anxiety about moving into a new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff adapt ways of communication to enhance the child’s day-to-day experiences and motivate and encourage them to take part in activities. For example, staff sometimes text the child to encourage them to participate in education and activities outside of the home, which works well. The child has recently enjoyed trips to go-karting with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Creative direct work sessions continue to encourage the child participate in meaningful conversations and capture their views, wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff motivate and support educational progress and goals for the child. The registered manager and staff advocate for education arrangements alongside partner agencies. Staff consider the child’s next steps in education. They plan educational activities that incorporate the child’s interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child's health needs are addressed well. Staff seek external support and follow up with services where responses are delayed. Management oversight of this ensures that the child has access to relevant support to meet their health needs.

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

The registered manager and staff have a good understanding of the child's risks. Staff have a good awareness of the child's behaviours and if behaviour indicates new or emerging risks to be considered. Inspection report for children's home: 2846297 3 Staff continue to develop their knowledge and skills through additional training that is specific to the needs of the child. This helps to support care planning and consider meaningful direct work with the child.

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

On some occasions, the child has not taken their medication properly. In addition, other medication has been found in the child's bedroom. Leaders and managers have taken effective action to strengthen procedures and conducted a 'lessons learnt' review. As a result, staff now conduct regular bedroom searches to support children's safety and wellbeing.

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

The number of incidents of the child going missing from home has reduced over time However, staff do not follow the local protocols in full to maximise the chances of the child being safely located. Furthermore, grab packs which have been designed to support police reports when a child is missing from home, have limited information.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has high expectations for staff. She promotes a nurturing culture in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular oversight through audits and analysis is carried out by the registered manager and leaders to identify and address any shortfalls in the home. The registered manager shares improvement ideas for aspects of practice that require development to maintain good outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is proactive and implements professional challenge to advocate for the needs of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager knows the child well. Collaborative multi-agency working and information-sharing ensure the safety and wellbeing for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision takes place on a regular basis. Key areas of discussion take place about staff wellbeing, development and focus points about the child. Actions are followed through to the next supervision to ensure that there is improved staff practice. Staff value their supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and leaders adhere to safer recruitment processes. However, there is limited scrutiny around the applicant's full employment work history and gaps in employment. Inspection report for children's home: 2846297 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety.

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1)(2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that they obtain a full employment history, together with a satisfactory explanation of any gaps in employment. 29 August 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the relevant procedures to be followed and the roles and responsibilities of staff when a child is missing from care or away from the home. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 45, paragraph 9.28)

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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: 2846297 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Inspire Hope Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Building 5 Copper Gate Mews, Brighton Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 5NE

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Inspector

Andrea Ulett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2846297 6 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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