Children's Home run by 24/7 Support UK Limited in Peterborough

Inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 1 Registered provider: 24/7 Support UK Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2024 and is privately operated. It provides care for up to 2 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left their post in August 2025.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: During an assurance visit on 15 September 2025, serious and widespread concerns were identified. Following this visit, Ofsted suspended the registration of the home. Two compliance notices were issued under regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). At a monitoring visit on 4 December 2025, it was determined that leaders and managers had met the requirements of the compliance notices. The suspension was subsequently lifted in December 2025. Inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/01/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved into the home, and one child has moved on. The child currently living at the home is supported to have a positive experience. Their voice is promoted through one-to-one discussions, advocacy and participation in meetings. Family relationships are supported through regular contact and visits. Staff provide consistent care, supported by guidance from the manager, team meetings and training. The child who moved on did not experience a positive ending to their time at the home. Following their move, the manager has reflected on the experience and taken steps to improve future practice.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home and one child has moved in. The child currently living at the home spoke with the inspector.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Careful planning took place before the child moved into the home. The manager held a team meeting to share information and strengthen staff’s understanding of the child’s needs. Staff welcomed the child with a meal of their choice and gift baskets. This helped the child feel welcomed, valued and cared for.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been supported to express their cultural identity and share their traditions, language and experiences. Staff ensure that dietary preferences and religious beliefs are respected. Cultural diversity is celebrated, with staff organising cultural evenings and activities that provide authentic experiences. This helps children to learn about and appreciate different cultures and backgrounds.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been supported to access an advocate and has shared their views. They have spoken positively about the support they receive and the relationships they have built with staff. This ensures that the child’s voice is heard and informs planning and decision-making.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family relationships are supported. The child maintains regular contact with their parents and brothers and sisters. Staff support the development of more positive family relationships. The child’s mother has visited the home and shared a meal with them, which helps strengthen family connections and reassure the parent that the child is safe and well cared for.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff and child work together to plan weekly activities and routines. Staff actively encourage the child to develop a positive daily structure. Since moving into the home, the child has made significant progress in education and attends daily. The deputy headteacher of the school reported that the child’s attendance has improved since living at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 4 For the child who moved out of the home and later returned, efforts were made to meet with them before they returned. Risk assessments were updated in preparation. Guidance was provided by an external provider on how staff could work positively with the child; however, this was not incorporated into the care plan. Following an incident, the child experienced an unplanned and sudden move out of the home. Leaders and managers have reflected on this outcome and identified learning to improve future practice.

p.3

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

Behaviour management plans are individualised and include clear information about known behaviours, alongside detailed guidance for staff to follow. The guidance helps staff to understand the underlying causes of children’s risks, including the impact of previous experiences, trauma and history. This helps the staff to respond consistently.

p.4

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

When new information or needs are identified, the manager provides staff with additional guidance. This helps to ensure that the child receives a consistent and supportive approach. It also enables staff to respond in a way that is tailored to the child’s individual needs and promotes continuity of care across the team.

p.4

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

Staff hold regular one-to-one discussions with the child to encourage open communication. These conversations cover various topics related to the child’s needs, development and daily experiences. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the child’s communication needs. When appropriate, staff write letters to the child to help them understand advice from the discussions. The child values these letters and uses them to reflect on discussions. This approach helps the child to feel valued, heard and supported in a way that is meaningful to them.

p.4

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

The staff team works well with child and adolescent mental health services, which provide consultation on how best to support the child. Advice and guidance are incorporated into care planning and daily practice, supporting a consistent approach to meeting the child’s emotional needs. The staff maintain effective relationships with external professionals, helping to ensure that the child receives coordinated support from all agencies involved.

p.4

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

The independent reviewing officer reported that the child is making ‘remarkable’ progress in a short period and can fully be himself. They also noted that the child now experiences a great deal of care and nurture, which the child values and has enhanced their emotional wellbeing.

p.4

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

Several physical interventions were used in relation to the child who has now moved on. Although records are available, there is no evidence of follow-up discussions with the staff or the child. This limits opportunities for reflection and learning. It also reduces the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies used. As a result, opportunities to reduce the likelihood of future interventions or identify the need for additional support have not been fully explored. Inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 5

p.4

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

There is a manager in post who maintains good oversight of the home. The appointed manager intends to register with Ofsted. However, there has been a significant period without a registered manager. This has limited the judgement for the leadership and management of the home to requires improvement to be good.

p.5

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

The managers have failed to ensure that all recruitment procedures are followed. Full employment histories, including explanations for gaps, have not been captured in records. This does not ensure that the suitability of all staff is fully explored.

p.5

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

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She knows the child well and has a strong understanding of their individual needs. She is ambitious for children and provides clear direction to staff.

p.5

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

The manager is actively working to further develop staff practice, with a focus on increasing proactivity, confidence and consistency. This includes supporting staff to produce high-quality letters to the child, which helps to improve consistency in communication and engagement.

p.5

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

Staff have access to all relevant mandatory training relevant to children’s individual needs. When additional training has been recommended by external professionals, this has been sourced. There is an investment in staff training and development. This support builds a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

p.5

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

Staff supervision sessions take place regularly and in line with policy. These include reflective discussions, providing staff with opportunities to share concerns and receive feedback on their performance. Safeguarding scenarios are used during supervision sessions to assess staff’s understanding and their ability to respond appropriately.

p.5

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

Team meetings are well attended, and updates on children’s progress and changes in care are shared. Meetings incorporate training materials, such as videos, learning resources and theoretical input, which help to develop staff’s knowledge and strengthen their understanding.

p.5

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

Several staff members have provided feedback. Responses are consistent in theme. Staff said that the management team is approachable and offers guidance when needed. Staff are happy in their roles. This indicates a stable and supportive team, which promotes consistency of care and positive outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 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

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.6

Requirement Due date

details of any methods used, or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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.6

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.6

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)(v)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children and staff are routinely spoken to following incidents and that measures of control are reviewed to ensure that they remain appropriate. 1 July 2026

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

p.6

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the 1 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 7 registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

p.6

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.7

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)(a)(b) (3)(d))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that full employment histories for staff are obtained and that any gaps are explored.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

p.7

Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of—

p.7

Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 (2)(a)(b))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the manager applies to register with Ofsted without delay. 1 July 2026

p.7

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: 2798449 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: 24/7 Support UK Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 81 Broadway, Peterborough PE1 4DA

p.8

Inspector

Harkerat Lidhar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2798449 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9