Children's Home run by Compass Children‟s Homes Limited in Suffolk

Inspection report for children’s home: 2864783 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in January 2026 and is privately run. It provides care for up to 4 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered when the home opened in February 2026.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2864783 2

p.1

Summary of findings

Children generally have sound relationships with staff who know them well. Children access education, therapeutic support and a range of activities. However, children’s moves into and out of the home are poorly planned. Emerging risks have not been identified or reviewed quickly enough. Ongoing concerns relating to peer dynamics have contributed to a high number of incidents and an unsettled home. This has meant children have not had good experiences.

p.2

Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have not always responded effectively to safeguarding concerns or shared sufficient information with partner agencies. Interim managers have since increased their oversight; however, the planned changes are not embedded. Further improvement is needed to ensure that children consistently receive safe and effective care.

p.2

improvement to be good

Shortly after the home opened, 2 children moved into the home in the same week. This limited opportunities for staff to get to know the children and support each child to settle in. Staff did not understand children’s individual needs or build relationships with them before both children began living together.

p.2

improvement to be good

Concerns relating to peer dynamics emerged soon after the children moved in. The manager did not assess or review these as the risks increased. A risk assessment regarding these dynamics has been devised following advice from the independent visitor. However, these concerns continue and have contributed to a high number of incidents.

p.2

improvement to be good

A referral was made when a child required specialist support. However, the referral did not include enough information regarding the child’s current presentation, needs and risks. This limits the information available to inform decision-making. This could delay children accessing the specialist support they need.

p.2

improvement to be good

Both children are accessing education. One child attends full-time education in school, while the other accesses online education. Staff work with children to support their learning, progress and future aspirations. Staff support the children in achieving accredited awards and developing practical life skills. Certificates are retained to recognise children’s achievements and progress. Staff support children to build confidence, develop independence and prepare for the future.

p.2

improvement to be good

Children have developed positive relationships with some members of staff. Staff know the children well and understand their interests. Staff provide a range of activities inside and outside the home. Staff have created meaningful memories for children, including Inspection report for children’s home: 2864783 3 holding a prom night at the home to celebrate a milestone. Children enjoy trips to the theatre and theme parks. Children’s memories are captured in a range of photos, providing them with positive memories of their time at the home.

p.2

improvement to be good

There have been a high number of physical interventions. The interventions reviewed were proportionate and used as a last resort when there is a risk of harm. Staff have used physical intervention to keep children and others safe. Children and staff are offered opportunities to reflect on these incidents afterwards.

p.3

improvement to be good

There has been an incident when both children misused a substance. Staff did not seek medical advice following this incident. This does not demonstrate an effective response to the potential risks to children’s health and wellbeing.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff have not always carried out room searches or taken appropriate follow-up action when concerns about unsafe items have arisen. They have not consistently demonstrated professional curiosity to reduce potential risks. This has resulted in missed opportunities to ensure children’s safety.

p.3

improvement to be good

There have been allegations made against staff. These have been reported to the local authority designated officer (LADO). Referrals have not always included all known information. This has limited the LADO’s ability to provide effective oversight and informed advice to support safeguarding decisions.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff carry out risk assessments for all known and identified risks. They update these regularly following incidents. The assessments are detailed and provide guidance for staff on how to manage risks.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children and staff benefit from an in-house therapist. The therapist works alongside staff to support their understanding of the children’s needs, experiences and behaviours. Reports are regularly updated to review the children’s progress and areas where further support is required.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The registered manager is currently not at work pending an internal investigation. Interim management arrangements are in place. The interim manager and deputy manager supported the inspection. They are aware of the identified shortfalls and focused on strengthening management oversight.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home has a relatively new staff team and has experienced changes in management and staffing since opening. Staff have been supporting children with complex and changing needs, which has placed additional demands on the team of staff as they establish relationships and develop their practice. Managers recognise the impact this Inspection report for children’s home: 2864783 4 has had on the staff team and are providing support staff through supervision sessions and changes to shift patterns.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Team meetings take place every 2 weeks, providing staff with opportunities to share information and discuss the children’s needs. Following these meetings, the therapeutic team leads reflective sessions. This supports staff to reflect on their practice and develop their understanding of the children’s experiences and presentations.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff have access to a range of training to support their roles. When new risks emerge, managers identify additional training needs. This helps staff to develop their skills and knowledge to respond to children’s changing needs.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Feedback from professionals is positive. They report that staff are committed to achieving positive outcomes for children and supporting their individual needs. Managers know the children well and have a good understanding of their individual needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2864783 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.5

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)) 9 October 2026

p.5

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— 9 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2864783 6 helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.6

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)(f)(g)(h))

p.6

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: 2864783 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Rayns Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PF

p.7

Inspector

Harkerat Lidhar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2864783 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8