Children's Home run by Heathfield (Parkgate) Limited in Hampshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2861168 1 Registered provider: Heathfield (Parkgate) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care for up to 4 children with learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection, there were 2 children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered in February 2026. This is the first inspection of the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The original registered manager has resigned, and the new manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2861168 2

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Summary of findings

Children benefit from positive and nurturing relationships with staff who understand their individual needs and provide consistent care. Effective advocacy, strong partnership work and timely access to support help children make progress. Children are encouraged to maintain important family relationships, participate in activities and develop independence in a stable and supportive environment. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff demonstrating a good understanding of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Leaders and managers provide clear direction, maintain effective quality assurance systems and promote a positive culture of learning and improvement. Three recommendations have been made regarding producing a children’s guide, improving employment practice and notifying the relevant bodies when concerns arise regarding the frequency or pattern of behaviours.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships with children are developed through consistent, nurturing interactions. Staff demonstrate a sound understanding of each child’s individual needs. Consistent routines and the development of trusting relationships have enabled children to make some progress since moving into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All staff, including senior leaders, demonstrate a clear understanding of the home’s model of care. Therapeutic intervention is embedded throughout the children’s care planning and day-to-day practice. This joined-up approach helps to ensure that children receive consistent, informed and child-centred responses to their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are effective and proactive advocates for children. When responses from services and professionals are delayed, concerns are escalated appropriately. Children’s needs are identified promptly, and support is sought at the earliest opportunity, helping to ensure that children receive the resources and timely interventions they require.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health and emotional wellbeing are prioritised. Staff place importance on helping children to experience stability through maintaining routines and implementing boundaries. Children are encouraged to share meals together, contribute to household tasks and develop positive relationships with each other. This helps children to feel valued and supported in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a range of planned, age-appropriate activities, both in the home and in the local community. Access to community resources promotes children’s physical and emotional wellbeing while enabling them to enjoy new experiences. When risks are identified, staff carefully assess and manage these, balancing children’s safety with opportunities for growth, enjoyment and social development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2861168 3 Staff work effectively with education professionals to ensure children can access and attend education. This has contributed to one child maintaining educational stability to support their learning and progress. Partnership work is highly effective. One external professional reported that one child is now making friends and has made progress at school and praised the commitment of staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of children maintaining meaningful relationships with people who are important to them. Family time is actively promoted and well supported both physically and emotionally by staff. This helps children remain connected to their families and contributes positively to their sense of identity and wellbeing.

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

Children live in a safe, welcoming and well-maintained home. Managers have adapted the environment following an increase in physical incidents to reduce risks while maintaining a homely atmosphere. As a result, children benefit from an environment that promotes both safety and emotional security.

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

Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated following incidents or emerging concerns. Managers have strengthened processes to ensure all staff, including agency workers, are informed of changes and required actions. This supports a more consistent approach to keeping children safe. In addition, communication is carefully considered to ensure that all children can easily understand and engage with staff.

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

Staff have a sound understanding of children’s needs, triggers and behaviours. Physical intervention is used appropriately when necessary to protect children and others from harm. Effective oversight, timely debriefs and restorative work help children and staff reflect on incidents and swiftly repair relationships.

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

Despite a challenging period involving high levels of incidents and injuries to staff, the team remains committed, nurturing and child-focused. Children continue to receive compassionate care from staff who understand and advocate for their needs. However, managers have not considered whether the increased severity and cumulative impact of recent incidents require notification to relevant agencies.

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

Staff actively encourage children to participate in regular and purposeful key-work sessions that help them understand their behaviours and how to keep themselves and others safe. This supports children to develop greater self-awareness and safer decision- making.

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

Staff complete the necessary training required to meet children’s needs. Regular oversight by the leadership team helps to ensure children are cared for by suitably skilled and knowledgeable staff. Allegations are managed appropriately. Managers work effectively with relevant external professionals, including the local authority, to ensure children feel listened to and their concerns are acted upon. Inspection report for children’s home: 2861168 4 Leaders and managers carefully assess the needs of children before they move into the home. Effective communication with external professionals and efficient evidence-based recording supports positive care planning and decision-making. Staff provide children with written information when they move into the home. However, this is not always age-appropriate to ensure each child can understand it.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The acting manager is experienced and, with direction from the leadership team, has established a clear vision for the home and the development of the staff. As a result, staff are provided with clear direction and expectations that support the delivery of good quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new staff team brings a wealth of experience and skills from previous roles. Nonetheless, leaders ensure that all staff complete a thorough induction and are supported to understand the home’s policies, procedures and expectations. This promotes consistent practice and positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have effective monitoring and quality assurance systems to identify strengths and areas for development. This enables timely action to address shortfalls and supports continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The responsible individual is visible and actively involved in the home. Through regular review of the home’s operation and direct engagement with staff, effective support is provided to the leadership team. Consequently, leaders maintain a good understanding of the home’s strengths, and areas for improvement are addressed promptly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff generally receive supervision. However, this is not always consistent. All staff report feeling well supported by leaders and managers. Leaders promote staff wellbeing and professional development. Senior staff complete the necessary training required to demonstrate competency before undertaking supervisory responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and provide opportunities for communication and information-sharing. Managers recognise that meetings do not always demonstrate a strong focus on reflective practice, learning and professional development and have plans for improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment processes are generally followed. However, the scrutiny of documents had not identified conflicting information in one application.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person visits the home regularly. This monitoring provides effective scrutiny of the home’s practice. Leaders respond positively to recommendations and use feedback to drive improvement. This supports a culture of reflection and accountability. Inspection report for children’s home: 2861168 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that a children’s guide is produced. The children’s guide must be made available to all children when their placement in the home is agreed (or on arrival at the home if the placement is made in an emergency) and must be age-appropriate, provided in an accessible format and explained to each child to make sure they understand it. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.21)  The registered person should ensure good employment practice, as set out in regulations 31–33. They should ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that all incidents affecting the welfare of a child are fully considered. Homes must assess each case individually, taking into account

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Recommendations

any patterns of behaviour or unusual behaviour which may indicate an increased risk to the child. Homes should also consider the frequency of incidents and judge whether their cumulative effect makes notification appropriate, even if in isolation each event would not warrant this. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.11)

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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: 2861168 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Heathfield (Parkgate) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 105 High Street, Worcester WR1 2HW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jacqueline Smeeth

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Inspector

Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2861168 7 to 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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