Children's Home run by The Bristol Care Group Limited in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2813073 1 Registered provider: The Bristol Care Group Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider and provides care and accommodation for up to 3 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been appointed and they have submitted their application to register with Ofsted.

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 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: outstanding

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2813073 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/07/2025 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2813073 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Children have close relationships with staff who are clearly invested in them and know the children well. Children are listened to and carefully observed by the nurturing staff team. One child has moved on from the home, and another has moved in since the last inspection. Children have made steady progress while living at the home.

p.3

Summary of findings

The manager demonstrates a genuine commitment to the children, provides strong staff support and maintains clear oversight. The manager reflects on practice and is committed to continuous improvement. While there are some areas for further development, these do not detract from children’s positive experiences.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, 3 children were living in the home. The inspector spent time talking and playing with the children, observing their positive interactions with staff and peers.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with staff. Children appear settled and comfortable in staff’s presence. Observations show warm and respectful interactions between staff and children. Children talk with staff about sensitive subjects, and staff respond with empathy and care. Staff adopt a nonjudgmental approach while reiterating the importance of healthy boundaries, friendships and relationships.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children generally have positive experiences in this home. However, recent incidents in the home have adversely affected children’s wellbeing and emotional health. Staff tactfully approach difficult conversations with children, reminding them that they are valued and entitled to respect and safety.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide care for the children that is both individualised and responsive, taking full account of each child’s unique needs, experiences and starting points. Staff adapt their approach accordingly to promote placement stability, safety and progress, which benefits children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of meeting children’s educational needs. One child has been supported to obtain qualifications that enable them to undertake an apprenticeship. Another child is starting further education in September to gain qualifications relevant to their career aspirations. The third child is making good progress at a mainstream school. When children experience challenges at school, adults work with school staff to achieve favourable outcomes for them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2813073 4 Staff support children to prepare for their futures via graduated plans that provide them with opportunities to build their independence. These goals enable children to practice life skills and to spend time in the local community.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated to a good standard, and the children’s bedrooms are personalised to meet their individual needs. Photos and artwork of the children are displayed throughout the home, creating positive memories. The outdoor areas create a space for children to play and relax.

p.4

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

Staff have a good understanding of children’s lived experiences and how these experiences influence their emotional wellbeing, perceptions and behaviour. They are familiar with children’s needs and vulnerabilities and how this influences their susceptibility to risks. Staff talk with children about these risks and highlight how they can stay safe in the community. The care and support offered to children takes account of their individual needs and preferred approaches.

p.4

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

There have been periods when children have struggled to have positive relationships with one another, resulting in tension at home. Staff have supported children through these periods by ensuring they all feel heard, helping them to rebuild their relationships and re-establish respect for one another.

p.4

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

When children are distressed and exhibit unsafe behaviours, staff respond with empathy and care, using appropriate, therapeutically informed de-escalation strategies. Staff use physical interventions as a last resort, for example when it is necessary and proportionate to reduce risk and keep everyone safe. After incidents, staff talk with children to explore their views and feelings. These conversations are age-appropriate, empathetic and meaningful.

p.4

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

When children raise concerns about staff behaviour, the manager follows established safeguarding protocols, reports the concern to the appropriate safeguarding professionals, seeks external advice when required, and informs the child about the process and any outcomes.

p.4

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

Managers and staff adopt a proportionate approach to risk and recognise the positive impact of placing some trust in children. However, one child stays overnight at her boyfriend’s house and staff have not taken the appropriate parental action to ensure the environment is safe. However, this has not had a negative impact on the child’s experiences.

p.4

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

The staff in the home are confident in the procedures for responding to safeguarding concerns. However, there are duplicate risk assessments for similar concerns and written plans do not provide staff with clear and updated guidance. However, this has not adversely impacted staff’s ability to safeguard children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2813073 5

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is enthusiastic about delivering a good service for children. She knows the children well, has positive relationships with them, and works hard to ensure they receive high-quality, individualised care and support.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s manager has a good understanding of the quality of care provided to the children, and she has oversight of staff’s practice and children’s records. She supports staff to deliver good care by monitoring their professional development through training, supervision and observation of their practice. Any concerns about staff practice are managed effectively and in collaboration with other agencies.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held regularly and well attended. They are reflective and provide a platform for staff to explore and review children’s progress. There is a strong focus on providing children with consistent care and support. However, there has been a period of high staff turnover. The provider has made efforts to address this, knowing that staffing consistency helps children to feel safe and secure.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment processes are safe, robust and thorough. All necessary checks are completed before staff start work at the home, ensuring their suitability to work with children. The staff team is diverse, and the home’s culture promotes equality and diversity. Inspection report for children’s home: 2813073 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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)(iv)(b))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that when children visit the homes of their peers, they take steps to satisfy themselves that the environment is safe and that children are not at risk of harm.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In addition, the registered person must ensure that children’s risk assessments are streamlined, regularly updated and accessible to staff. 14 September 2026

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 Inspection report for children’s home: 2813073 7 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: 2813073 8

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Bristol Care Group Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bishop Fleming, Templeback, 10 Temple Back, Bristol BS1 6FL

p.8

Inspector

Darren Wickens, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2813073 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