Children's Home run by Protea Care 2 Limited in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2780439 1 Registered provider: Protea Care 2 Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to 4 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 4 children were living at the home. The inspector sought their views during 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

Date of last inspection: 10 September 2025

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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: 2780439 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/09/2025 Full Good 05/11/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2780439 3

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Summary of findings

Children living at the home are happy, feel safe and are making positive progress. Admissions are carefully planned, helping children settle in and build positive relationships. The home provides a warm, nurturing environment where children are encouraged to pursue their interests, maintain family relationships, and have a voice in decisions that affect them. Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities and respond effectively to safeguarding concerns. Physical intervention has reduced significantly and is used only as a last resort. Good leadership has resulted in improved outcomes for children and greater workforce stability. Staff feel well supported through regular and reflective supervision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved into the home. The manager carefully plans admissions, taking into account the needs of children already living in the home, as well as those moving in. This approach helps children to settle in well, and overall, children have developed positive relationships with one another.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and has a warm, family environment that helps children feel safe, comfortable and valued. A professional highlighted the warm, nurturing atmosphere in the home, noting that the children and staff regularly have meals together.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their individual identities and interests. The time, care and thought that children have invested in personalising their rooms indicates they are settled, have a sense of belonging, and view the home as their own. The home has a games room and a large garden that the children can access.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to explore and develop a range of interests. One child spoke enthusiastically about joining the police cadets and has recently attended a taster session. These experiences have helped to increase the child’s confidence and self- esteem. The child spoke positively about their aspirations, which staff actively encourage and support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children report feeling happy living in the home. One child said that they feel safe with staff and described the home as ‘really good’. This feedback reflects the nurturing relationships that children have with staff and the sense of security that they experience in the home. A family member said their child is doing ‘really well’ and described the support and care provided by staff as ‘amazing’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children have made progress, which has been particularly notable since the manager was appointed in August 2025. All children engage in education. The manager and staff provided effective support to one child who initially struggled with education and Inspection report for children’s home: 2780439 4 received a suspension. The manager attended meetings to help facilitate the child’s return to education. Another child who had not been attending education is now attending full time. The child described their experiences at school as ‘actually really good’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

An external professional identified considerable progress and positive changes for a child. This was following a period during which staff developed a fuller understanding of how best to meet his needs. The child was positive about his life at the home, his activities and his new bedroom. This is testament to the progress children make.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain meaningful and enduring relationships with people who are important to them. The manager recognises the significance of these relationships and provides individualised support to help children spend good-quality time with those who matter to them. For one child, spending time with a family member can be emotionally challenging. In response, the manager has collaborated with a professional to develop a tailored support plan to help ensure that family time remains a positive and beneficial experience for the child. A professional said, ‘The staff are working hard to support and promote meaningful family time, while ensuring the child’s emotional needs remain central to planning.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s house meetings take place regularly. These conversations focus on children’s wellbeing and activities, giving them a voice in matters relating to their home, including activities and menus. They help to ensure that children can contribute to decisions about their care and the running of the home. One area that requires strengthening is ensuring that children are heard when they make comments at meetings. For example, one child said they did not like 2 members of staff. However, records do not demonstrate how the child’s views were explored further or acted on.

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

Children are safeguarded effectively. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of children’s individual risks, vulnerabilities and behaviours. Safety planning is detailed, providing information on known indicators of concern, triggers, observed behaviours, presenting behaviours, solutions, and best practices for working with the child.

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

Any incidents of bullying are robustly addressed. Staff carry out key-work sessions and hold restorative conversations with children to help them understand the impact of their behaviour, resolve conflicts, and develop better relationships. One child said that staff helped them build a better relationship with another child and worked through any difficulties. This demonstrates the manager’s and staff’s commitment to promoting a respectful and inclusive environment.

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

When a child raised a safeguarding concern, staff responded swiftly and appropriately. The concern was shared promptly with the relevant safeguarding agencies, and the child has received support throughout the process. A clear safety plan has been implemented while investigations are ongoing. The child has contributed to the safety planning. Inspection report for children’s home: 2780439 5 The manager responds appropriately to any allegations made against the staff. Concerns are referred promptly to the relevant safeguarding professionals, and the manager collaborates with partner agencies throughout any investigations. Where children have made allegations about staff, the manager updates risk assessments, and safety plans are implemented. Individual key-work sessions are carried out with children to provide support and gather their views. The manager acts in response to identified learning, helping to strengthen safeguarding practice and promote positive outcomes for children.

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

Since the last inspection, there has been a significant reduction in the use of physical intervention to manage children’s behaviour. Physical intervention is used only when it is necessary to keep children and others safe. Staff make every effort to de-escalate situations using alternative strategies to reduce risks to children and prevent the need for physical intervention. Following any incidents involving intervention, staff carry out key-work sessions with the children involved. These sessions encourage reflection, capture children’s views, and provide reassurance and support. The recording of physical interventions is sufficiently detailed and informative, clearly identifying the behaviours and triggers that led to incidents. This supports effective care planning and a proactive approach to reducing the likelihood of further incidents. However, the quality of recording is inconsistent, and not all records provide the same level of detail, reflection

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has made positive changes in the home, which is reflected in children’s progress and the stability of the workforce. The manager has clear aspirations for the home and is committed to driving further improvements to ensure that children receive high-quality care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy working in the home; they speak positively of the support they receive from the manager and deputy manager. Staff receive regular supervision that supports their development and provides opportunities for them to reflect on their practice. In addition to formal supervision, managers provide situational supervision that focuses on specific areas for development and improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff receive a good induction and feel supported in their roles. Staff have received training in relation to the children’s needs and identified risks, so they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide children with good care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children very well. The manager and the staff speak warmly of the children and of the progress they have made. They have a good understanding of each child’s individuality and are aspirational for their futures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy and attend team meetings. The meetings are child focused and provide opportunities to consider each child’s individual needs from a holistic perspective, taking Inspection report for children’s home: 2780439 6 into account the different areas of their lives. There is stability in the staff group, which is notable since the manager assumed her post, and morale is high.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager collaborates with professionals involved in the children’s lives. Regular updates are provided to ensure that professionals remain informed about the children’s progress, achievements and emerging needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No recommendations or requirements have been made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2780439 7

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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: 2780439 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Protea Care 2 Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 317 Horn Lane, London W3 0BU

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Inspector

Sarah Tilbury, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2780439 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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