Children's Home run by Guiding Light Care Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2746282 1 Registered provider: Guiding Light Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and registered to provide care for up to 2 children with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 2 children living at the home at the time of the inspection. The children contributed to the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2746282 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/07/2025 Full Good 16/04/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2746282 3

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Summary of findings

Two children have left the home since the last inspection and 2 children have come to live at the home. The manager prepares the children well for any moves, to help them settle quickly. One child was supported particularly well under difficult circumstances. Staff know the children well. There are good relationships between the staff and children. The staff and manager know the individual needs and risks for each child. Specific ways of meeting these needs are identified to help keep children safe. The children are at the centre of the care provided and are involved with their care planning. Their wishes and feelings are heard by staff and acted on. The manager and responsible individual are very supportive of the staff. They are good advocates for the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Good relationships have been established between children and staff. Children enjoy spending time with staff. One child said, ‘The staff are really kind. Everything here is sound.’ This is testament to the good and solid relationships between the children and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment has been improved. This includes improved maintenance in the home and an overhaul of the garden areas. This has led to the home being comfortable and reflective of the children living there. One child has skills in painting and decorating and has repainted her own bedroom. However, another child requires more help to keep her bedroom tidy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Placement plans are detailed, clearly written and directed to each child. They include guidance to staff to help them provide good care across all areas of the child’s life. The plans set out the child’s goals and explain how staff can support them to achieve these. The manager also meets with each child monthly to review and discuss their plan. However, children’s culture and identity are not explored in enough detail in plans. Strengthening this area would help to ensure the plans better reflect the child’s individual needs and experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to engage in education and learning in line with their needs. The manager and staff advocate for children who are not in education. As a result, alternative provisions have been found for children. Regular meetings take place with education professionals to plan future engagement in learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes giving advice regarding healthy meal options. Regular appointments are made with doctors, dentists and opticians. Children’s mental health needs are known and support is provided. Medication is stored and administered safely. Medication sheets include the reason for the medication being taken and any possible side effects. Records are audited by an allocated team leader. Inspection report for children’s home: 2746282 4 Children are developing skills for future semi-independent living. They manage a budget and do their own shopping, while being supported by staff. They are learning to cook and carry out other household tasks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Regular one-to-one sessions take place between staff and children. Topics for discussion are individual to each child and their needs. All sessions are reviewed by the manager, with comments added. There are also effective weekly meetings with each child to review their week, objectives and any issues they want to discuss.

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

Staff understand risks to children. There are thorough assessments of risks in an individual behaviour and support plan for each child. Known historic and current risks are assessed. Staff actions and preventative measures are identified, and what staff should do in a crisis to help children.

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

Children’s harmful behaviours are addressed. Staff support children through these concerning times. Specialist mental health support is arranged when required. Staff are trained in the specific areas affecting children.

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

Physical intervention is used rarely and only as a last resort to keep children and others safe. Staff are trained in de-escalation of incidents. They are taught positive intervention methods to manage incidents effectively. Records of interventions contain all the required details. All incidents are reviewed by the manager for learning and staff development.

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

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding children. They know who to inform if they have any concerns regarding a child. This includes reporting internally and informing external safeguarding professionals. There is a clear whistleblowing process should staff wish to raise any concerns and staff are confident to raise any concerns they may have.

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

The manager takes any allegations and complaints from children or others seriously. They are responded to appropriately. Records are clear and detailed. External safeguarding professionals are involved appropriately as required. The manager ensures that safe recruitment processes are used for new staff joining the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy their work. They speak positively about the support they get from the manager and responsible individual. One staff member said, ‘The manager is the best I have ever had. She is very open and happy to teach me.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular individual supervision which they feel is effective. Supervision includes talking about the needs of the children and how to care for them. Staff wellbeing, operational issues and training are also discussed. Inspection report for children’s home: 2746282 5 Team meetings take place monthly. They include in-depth discussions about the children. Debriefs are held after incidents, for learning. Learning circles focus on important topics related to the care of the children, for example, bereavement training, medication competency and quality standards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a thorough induction for new starters at the home. This includes going through children’s plans and assessments. Shadowing shifts help staff to get to know other staff and the children. Training courses are a main part of the induction process. Staff find the induction helpful and it equips them to start their new role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses a range of quality assurance and monitoring processes. This includes a weekly audit of all incidents. Management oversight is recorded on all documents and reports. The manager spends time with children, talking with them and playing games. She knows the children well and speaks warmly of them. She has high aspirations for each child. She also spends time observing staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager feels very well supported by the responsible individual and senior leaders within the company. The responsible individual visits the home on at least one day a week. She is always available for advice and support. She provides monthly one-to-one supervision for the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager collaborates well with external professionals. The external professionals praise the good level of communication from the manager. One social worker said, ‘Communication with me is brilliant.’ Another said, ‘Everything is very positive all around. I genuinely can say they could not have done anything differently. The outcome for the child has been so good.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2746282 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that care practice meets each child’s needs and promotes their welfare, taking into account of the child’s gender, religion, ethnicity, cultural and linguistic background, sexual identity. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.2)  The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing environment that meets the needs of the children. In particular, ensure support for a child to keep their bedroom in an acceptable state. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2746282 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Guiding Light Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 12 Willow Road, Bedford MK42 0QU

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2746282 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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