Children's Home run by Motivations Activity Projects Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children's home: 1257202 1 Registered provider: Motivations Activity Projects Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in December 2017 and is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home and spoke with the inspector.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2025. They are also registered to manage another of the company’s homes.

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: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1257202 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/06/2025 Full Good 15/10/2024 Full Good 11/10/2023 Full Good 07/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1257202 3

p.2

Summary of findings

In general, care provided to children in this home is child centred and children make progress across all areas of their lives from their starting points. Staff develop positive relationships with children and work hard to ensure that children feel supported and listened to. Those children who are settled in the home benefit from consistent care and support. However, some children experienced instability as they had to move on quickly when their needs could not be met in the home.

p.3

Summary of findings

Managers and leaders are visible and accessible to children and staff. They promote positive relationships and provide support and guidance to the staff team. Monitoring systems are generally effective in identifying areas for development to improve children’s experiences.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s experiences of stability are mixed. Two children have lived in the home for 12 months, benefiting from continuity of care and support. However, 3 children moved out quickly because staff could not meet their needs safely and effectively, resulting in limited opportunity for meaningful progress. The manager completes assessments to consider whether the home can meet the needs of children before they move in. Despite this, challenges emerged relating to children’s compatibility and group dynamics. Managers are strengthening their assessments to ensure children experience stable living arrangements.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make educational progress. The importance of education is promoted and the manager advocates well for children’s educational needs. Some children’s engagement in education has noticeably improved, with increased attendance, participation and aspiration. Staff work closely with education professionals to ensure that tailored support is in place and to help children build confidence in education settings. As a result, children benefit from improved educational outcomes and structure.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a variety of enriching experiences, tailored to their individual interests, and they are encouraged to explore new activities. This provides children with opportunities to have fun and create positive memories.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The voice of the child is actively promoted. Children understand how to make a complaint and are supported to do so, and are consulted on their views, wishes and feelings in respect of their plans. This ensures that children feel involved in their care, contribute to decisions that directly impact them and know that their opinions are valued. Inspection report for children's home: 1257202 4 The home is generally clean, tidy and welcoming, providing children with a comfortable living environment. Photos of children participating in activities with staff are displayed throughout the home, helping to create a sense of belonging as well as reflecting positive relationships. However, ongoing issues with damage and graffiti detract from the homely appearance. In particular, graffiti on a wall outside a child’s bedroom means that the child is repeatedly exposed to visual reminders of previous incidents when entering

p.3

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

Children’s risks are well understood and reflected in regularly reviewed plans that offer guidance and strategies to keep them safe. Staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and respond appropriately to concerns. Managers and staff work closely with external professionals to promote children’s welfare, so they receive the support they need. This means children benefit from coordinated and proactive approaches to managing risk and keeping them safe.

p.4

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

The manager takes prompt action when allegations and complaints are made. They ensure information is shared swiftly with appropriate professionals, to ensure children are protected from harm. Children are kept informed of any outcomes. Tough decisions are made to ensure the welfare of both staff and children. This ensures that children feel confident to raise concerns. It also helps them to feel safe and secure in their environment.

p.4

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

Staff supervision of children has not always been sufficient or in line with their individual plans. Staff did not fully understand the importance of supervision of children and following routines. These shortfalls resulted in allegations being made by children about their peers which could have been prevented if there had been proper supervision. Managers have taken steps to address these concerns and improve staff understanding and practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are committed to children’s welfare and helping to secure positive outcomes for them. The registered manager and deputy manager know the children very well and are focused on positive, safe experiences. They advocate on behalf of children to ensure they receive the help and support they are entitled to.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring and reviewing systems are generally effective. Managers are aware of the home’s strengths and areas for development. They use systems that help track patterns and progress and allow them to identify any shortfalls as they arise, so they can take swift action to address them. On occasion, notifications to the regulator have been late or not made, which limits Ofsted’s oversight.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are reflective and carry out lessons learned exercises to improve the quality of care provided for children. This responsive practice helps the manager and staff to learn Inspection report for children's home: 1257202 5 from experiences and implement necessary changes to strengthen practice and improve outcomes for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and reflective supervision that provides both support and constructive challenge. They have opportunities to reflect on their practice, discuss the needs of children, receive guidance relevant to the needs of the home and reinforce expectations. This helps strengthen staff practice and supports the delivery of consistent high-quality care to children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from external professionals is positive, even when the home has faced challenges. Managers and staff are praised for their resilience and support offered to children in times of crisis and need. External professionals say that children are at the centre of practice, with the aim of improving their life chances. Inspection report for children's home: 1257202 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that damage to children’s bedroom doors and walls in the home following an incident is repaired or painted over. 10 October 2026

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them, which includes ensuring that supervision of children is sufficient and in line with their plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure all relevant people, and Ofsted, are notified of any serious concerns or events, under regulation 40. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.4) Inspection report for children's home: 1257202 7

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 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: 1257202 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Motivations Activity Projects Ltd

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: St Matthews Business Centre, Duddeston Manor Road, Birmingham B7 4LZ

p.8

Inspector

Tonia Dubidat, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1257202 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