Children's Home run by Treetops Children Homes in Derby

Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 1 Registered provider: Treetops Children Homes

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

The home is owned and operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025.

p.1

Information about this children's home

Three children were living at the home at the time of inspection. All children contributed to the inspection process. One child has moved on from the home since the last inspection.

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 inadequate

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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Good 12/11/2024 Full Good 17/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Overall, the experience and progress of children require improvement due to shortfalls in the protection of children and the leadership and management of the home. Several shortfalls identified during the last inspection have not been addressed by leaders and managers. Poor management oversight has resulted in missed opportunities to improve staff practice and resulted in insufficient staffing levels to ensure that the holistic needs of children are met to a good standard. This has resulted in children feeling that their needs are not a priority and resulted in children, at times, relying on each other for support when staff are unavailable.

p.3

improvement to be good

Overall, the home environment is not maintained to a good standard. Repairs and the general upkeep of the property are not addressed in a timely manner. This includes a broken fire door and a poorly maintained garden. One child's bedroom was of particular concern, with the child sleeping on an unclean mattress. Efforts have been made by staff to encourage and support the child to clean their room. However, leaders and managers have not been creative in identifying solutions to sustain any improvements made. Damages caused to the child's bedroom in times of distress have not been repaired, which could result of ongoing feelings of shame.

p.3

improvement to be good

Leaders and managers do not always consider how children already living in the home can live safely with new children who move in. Plans to identify potential risks in peer relationships and steps to reduce these risks were not thoroughly considered. There have been times where children have become involved in incidents that do not relate to them. Actions taken by staff have not reduced the practical or emotional impact on children during these incidents. Attempts are made by staff to support children following incidents.

p.3

improvement to be good

Two children are making progress from their starting points. However, a professional for one child said that the child's progress has gone backwards over recent months. These 2 children said that they feel their needs are not currently being prioritised by staff. This is echoed by staff, who feel unable to ensure that the holistic needs of all children are met. Children are supported to engage with specialist services that are targeted to their individual needs.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children report having mostly positive relationships with staff. This includes playfulness and emotional warmth. However, all children have spoken of some negative experiences in relationships with staff, including staff making dismissive comments or inattention from staff during times of upset. The manager has developed positive relationships with children and spends monthly one-to-one time with children to seek their views. Children share their wishes and feelings with the manager and have felt able to share worries and concerns. When the manager takes action to follow up on concerns raised by children, the Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 4 outcomes are not always shared with children in a timely manner. Additionally, the concerns and actions taken by the manager are not recorded in the child's records. This is accepted by leaders and managers and they have plans to address this. However, these

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff support all children to access education, and their education is supported and promoted. Children are supported and encouraged to engage in activities both inside and outside of the home.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children's risk assessments are not updated following significant incidents and do not reflect all known risks. The risk assessments are not sufficiently detailed and plans to reduce risks are not consistently individualised. While the registered manager reports that children's plans are regularly reviewed and changed in line with current need, documents to support the care of children do not reflect these changes.

p.4

improvement to be good

Risks relating to self-harm are not always well managed. One child's access to toiletries has been restricted due to concerns of self-harming behaviours. However, the child has access to items they could harm themselves with in the shared bathroom and their bedroom. Actions for staff to take in response to risks or incidents are unclear. This leads to confusion for staff members and inconsistent responses. Records of significant incidents are unclear and, at times, contradictory. Staff have not consistently sought medical advice from health professionals following ligature incidents.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff use physical intervention appropriately and proportionately to ensure the safety of children and adults. Both the child and the user of the measure are not consistently spoken to within regulatory timescales. Additionally, some incidents have no oversight from the manager or responsible individual.

p.4

improvement to be good

One child's missing-from-home episodes have reduced during this inspection period. When children go missing from home, staff contact the wider professional and personal network. Return home interviews are not consistently requested. Risks to children in the community when they are missing are not fully understood by staff. There is a lack of professional curiosity regarding exploitation, and limited work with children to support their understanding of these risks.

p.4

improvement to be good

There is a significant gap in the employment history of a member of staff who was recruited during this inspection period. This reduces assurances of the suitability of this staff member and undermines safer recruitment principles.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children can each identify at least one staff member who they feel comfortable to share their worries with. When allegations are made about staff who work in the home, actions are taken to ensure the safety of children while the concerns are explored. Safeguarding procedures are followed, including liaison with the local authority designated officer. Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 5

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not monitor and oversee the running of the home effectively. Several incident reports are without management oversight. This reduces the manager's ability to identify shortfalls in staff practice, and opportunities to develop staff's skills are missed. When the manager does record oversight of incidents, the oversight is not consistently reflective or evaluative. The oversight does not identify learning or additional measures to safeguard children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not consistently ensured that the identified number of staff to meet the children's needs are available in the home. This has resulted in children feeling that their needs cannot be prioritised or supported by staff, and staff feeling unable to meet the holistic needs of all children to an acceptable standard. Despite this being raised with the manager by both children and staff, limited action has been taken to address this. Actions for staff to take to support children, including expectations regarding supervision levels for a child subject to a deprivation of liberty order, are not made explicitly clear to staff.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The quality of professional supervision is variable. Supervisions completed by the responsible individual and registered manager are thorough and promote reflection. The manager identified a need to strengthen the quality of supervision undertaken by staff, but measures in place to improve practice have not been reviewed. As a result, less- experienced staff have not received regular supervision or supervision of improved quality. When concerns have been raised by staff members about their colleagues, timely action is not taken to address practice concerns.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Quality assurance systems are not effectively used to improve the care afforded to children. When shortfalls are identified by the independent visitor, timely action is not taken to explore or address concerns. The quality of care report completed by the manager has not been completed in line with regulatory timescales. It does not review the care of all children resident in the home during the review period. Additionally, it does not contain feedback from all children, professionals or parents. Serious incidents are not always notified to Ofsted. This restricts Ofsted's ability to evaluate how well children are safeguarded in the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Several shortfalls identified were established at the time of the previous inspection. However, limited action has been taken by leaders and managers to address these. Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 6

p.5

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.6

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—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.6

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

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)(a)(d)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that there is clear guidance for staff regarding the day-to-day care arrangements for children. This specifically relates to safety planning and supervision levels of 10 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 7 children. Also, ensure that staffing levels are consistently in line with children's agreed plans.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Ensure that complaints from children are followed up in a timely manner and that outcomes are shared with children. This includes ensuring that actions taken, and conclusions, in relation to complaints from children form part of children's records.

p.7

Requirement Due date

Ensure consistent management oversight of incidents in a timely manner that evaluates the quality of care provided to children.

p.7

Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff have access to a consistent level supervision, and that any shortfalls in practice are addressed with staff in a timely manner to improve the quality of care provided to children.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)(d))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that risk assessments are up to date and accurate, reflecting the current risks for children. 10 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 8 Ensure that items that are identified as risks for children are not accessible.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.8

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child's welfare;

p.8

Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

p.8

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

p.8

Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.8

Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ii)(iii)(v)(vii)(c)(i))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the home environment is maintained to a good standard. Repairs and the general upkeep of the property must be completed in a timely manner. This relates to both communal areas and children's bedrooms.

p.8

Requirement Due date

Ensure that children are supported to understand experiences of abuse, including exploitation. 10 September 2026

p.8

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.8

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home. 10 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 9 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.8

Requirement Due date

that each child's relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(c))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children's planning reflects their current day-to-day needs.

p.9

Requirement Due date

Ensure that all children's needs and plans to mitigate risks are considered prior to admitting a new child into the home.

p.9

Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated.

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.9

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

p.9

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.9

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 10 September 2026

p.9

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

p.9

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration; 10 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 10 within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

p.9

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

p.10

Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

p.10

Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

p.10

Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children's home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b) (5))

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the quality of care review considers the quality of care afforded to all children residing in the home during the review period. Ensure that feedback is sought and evaluated from children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. 10 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 11

p.10

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: 2731415 12

p.11

Children's home details

Registered provider: Treetops Children Homes

p.12

Children's home details

Registered provider address: 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ

p.12

Inspector

Siobhan Holmes, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2731415 13 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.12

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.13

Inspector

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

p.13

Inspector

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

p.13