Children's Home run by Redwood Childcare Ltd in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 1 Registered provider: Redwood Childcare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home and was spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since May 2026. They have submitted their application to register with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/04/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/05/2025 Full Good 01/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 3

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Summary of findings

Children’s experiences and progress are undermined by significant weaknesses in safeguarding practice and oversight by leaders. Children continue to experience unnecessary restrictions and do not consistently receive care that promotes their independence, safety and development. Safeguarding concerns are not always recognised or responded to effectively, and weaknesses in the use and oversight of physical intervention place children at risk of harm.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers do not have effective monitoring systems in place to identify concerns, patterns and learning opportunities, resulting in reactive rather than proactive management. While some children benefit from positive relationships with staff, maintain family connections and enjoy activities in the community, these strengths do not outweigh the serious and widespread shortfalls identified. Consequently, 2 compliance notices and a restriction of accommodation notice have been issued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children are not consistently receiving care that promotes their progress, independence and development. Restrictive practices remain in place in the home, with several internal rooms inaccessible to children. Staff are not always able to clearly explain how these restrictions relate to identified safeguarding risks or why they remain necessary. As a result, children are living in an environment that can feel institutional rather than homely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff responses to children’s behaviour are not consistently in line with agreed behaviour support plans. Although plans provide guidance for staff, these are not always followed in practice. In one instance, a child was believed to have caused damage in the home; however, subsequent information indicated that the damage may have been caused by an adult visitor. The initial response caused the child distress, which later contributed to an incident during which the child caused damage. Following this incident, the child has not been allowed access to a television in the home. Managers and staff were unable to provide a clear rationale as to whether this restriction was required for safeguarding purposes or imposed as a consequence. Furthermore, the child has limited access to alternative hobbies, activities or resources in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff do not always communicate effectively with each other, leaders or professionals involved in children’s care. Information about children’s needs, risks and plans is not consistently shared, understood or acted on. Some staff said there were difficulties in obtaining clear guidance and direction from managers, while social workers and family members raised concerns about the quality and timeliness of communication from the home. Staff do not always have a clear understanding of children’s current needs and care plans. This has resulted in delays in children receiving appropriate support, including one instance when a referral for an assessment was not made promptly. Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 4 Staff have not ensured that concerns relating to the safety and maintenance of the home environment are addressed promptly. Potential deficiencies in fire safety arrangements had been identified but remained unresolved at the time of the inspection. A fire

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

extinguisher was missing from its designated location, and a fire exit door could not be used because repairs had not been completed. These issues had previously been raised with the responsible person, but appropriate action had not been taken to remedy them. As a result, leaders cannot be assured that the home consistently provides a safe living space for children or that emergency evacuation arrangements could be fully relied on in the event of a fire.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff support children to take part in activities and enjoy experiences outside of the home that reflect their individual interests and preferences. Staff have developed positive relationships with some children and help them to maintain important family relationships by facilitating and supporting family time.

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

There are significant weaknesses in safeguarding practice and management oversight. Leaders have not identified, scrutinised or responded effectively to a number of serious incidents and concerns. Monitoring systems are ineffective and have failed to identify patterns, evaluate risks and drive the improvements required to safeguard children. As a result, safeguarding concerns have not always been recognised, investigated or acted on appropriately, and opportunities to learn from incidents have been missed. Children have not consistently received safe and effective care. Leaders cannot demonstrate that they have taken sufficient action to protect children from harm or improve their experiences and outcomes.

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

Allegations and concerns about staff practice have not always been recognised or investigated appropriately. Managers have not demonstrated sufficient professional curiosity when information has indicated that children may have been harmed. For example, when one child said they had been hurt during physical interventions, these concerns were not consistently recognised as complaints or safeguarding matters and were not subject to robust investigation.

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

There are significant shortfalls in the use and oversight of physical intervention. Staff have used intervention techniques that are not identified in children’s individual plans, and some staff have not completed the relevant training. Records are not consistently completed and do not always include children’s views or meaningful management review. Leaders cannot be assured that physical interventions are necessary, proportionate, safe or in children’s best interests. This places children at increased risk of harm and prevents the identification of concerning patterns of practice.

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

Staff do not always provide children with the levels of supervision identified as necessary to keep them safe. This includes occasions when agreed staffing ratios have not been maintained. As a result, children are exposed to avoidable risks, and safeguarding plans are not implemented consistently. Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 5 When children are missing from home, staff generally follow agreed procedures and make reasonable efforts to locate them and promote their safety. Following missing- from-home episodes, staff offer children opportunities to discuss their experiences and explore the reasons why they went missing. These conversations help children to feel listened to and enable staff to better understand the factors contributing to risk-taking behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Monitoring and review systems are ineffective. Managers do not consistently analyse information, identify patterns and trends, or critically evaluate the quality of care being provided. Leaders do not have a comprehensive understanding of practice in the home and are unable to use monitoring systems effectively to drive improvement and reduce risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff do not consistently maintain accurate and comprehensive records. Information relating to risks, incidents, injuries, missing-from-home episodes and safeguarding concerns is not always recorded or readily available. Consequently, managers are unable to effectively scrutinise practice, identify patterns or emerging concerns and take timely action to reduce risk. This weakens safeguarding oversight and means that important aspects of children’s experiences may not be fully understood or responded to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not sufficiently evaluated whether the home is able to meet children’s needs. Following an unplanned ending for one child, there was limited evaluation of the factors that contributed to this breakdown or consideration of how learning could inform future decision-making. Similarly, learning from significant incidents is not routinely captured or embedded in practice. Managers do not consistently evaluate why incidents occur, whether different responses may have been more effective or what changes are required to reduce future risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders are unable to demonstrate that learning is used effectively to inform decisions about whether the home can safely meet the needs of children moving in. Leaders and managers have not ensured that staff possess the necessary skills, knowledge and training to meet children’s assessed needs. There are gaps in training relating to known risks and vulnerabilities for children living in the home. While development plans have been introduced to address these shortfalls, they are not reviewed or monitored effectively to ensure progress is made and required learning is completed. Consequently, leaders cannot be assured that staff are equipped to provide consistently safe and effective care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The responsible individual has not provided sufficient oversight, support or challenge during a period when the home required strong and effective leadership. Although there is a manager in post, they are not yet registered, and the oversight provided by the responsible individual has not been robust enough to identify and address weaknesses in practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 6 Leaders and managers do not consistently demonstrate the professional curiosity or challenge required when concerns emerge. Managers have taken decisive action when poor staff practice has been clearly identified and the frequency of staff supervision has improved, however, oversight by leaders remains largely reactive rather than proactive. Consequently, significant weaknesses in practice have not been identified promptly or addressed quickly enough to safeguard children effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 7

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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.

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Requirement Due date

* The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; and

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must review the arrangements in place to ensure that fire safety is effectively managed in the home. This includes ensuring that all fire safety equipment is available and maintained, emergency escape routes remain accessible and identified fire safety concerns are addressed promptly to minimise risks to children, staff and visitors. 4 September 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 8 Leaders and managers must establish and implement robust procedures to ensure that all allegations and concerns about staff practice are recognised, reported and investigated without delay. Appropriate action must be taken to safeguard children and ensure that their views and experiences are fully considered throughout the process.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that effective safeguarding systems and processes are in place to identify, monitor and respond to safeguarding concerns. These arrangements should promote professional curiosity, ensure concerns are thoroughly explored and provide effective management oversight so that children are protected from harm and risks are reduced.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must review the use of physical intervention to ensure that interventions are only used when necessary, are proportionate to the circumstances and are undertaken in accordance with children’s individual behaviour support and risk management plans.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that all staff receive appropriate training and demonstrate competence in the physical intervention methods approved for use in the home before using any holds with children.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that all incidents involving physical intervention are comprehensively recorded and subject to timely management review. Oversight should include consideration of children’s views, the effectiveness and proportionality of interventions, opportunities for learning and any actions required to safeguard children and improve practice.

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Requirement Due date

* The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose; 4 September 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 9 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must implement effective systems to assess whether children’s needs can be safely and appropriately met before admission. These assessments must consider staff skills, experience, training, resources and the needs of children already living in the home. Leaders and managers must ensure that moves into and out of the home are appropriately planned, risk assessed and reviewed. They must also evaluate significant incidents and outcomes, identify learning and take action to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents occurring in the future.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must strengthen monitoring and review systems to ensure that safeguarding incidents are accurately recorded, effectively scrutinised and used to identify learning, drive improvement and promote children’s safety and welfare.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must establish effective oversight arrangements to ensure that all incidents are reviewed, analysed and monitored. These systems should identify patterns, trends and emerging concerns, evaluate the effectiveness of staff responses and ensure timely action is taken to improve practice, strengthen safeguarding arrangements and reduce risks to children.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must implement effective systems to regularly assess staff learning and development needs. Training must be relevant to the individual needs of children living in the home and staff members’ roles and responsibilities. Leaders and managers must evaluate the impact of training through supervision, observation, competency assessments and reflective practice to ensure that learning is embedded in day- to-day practice and contributes to improved outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 10 The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(vi)(vii)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that restrictions in place in the home are reviewed regularly and that steps are taken towards increasing children’s resilience and skills to enable reduction in restrictions as appropriate for the child’s age, and that restrictions in place in the home do not impact on children being able to live there comfortably day to day. 4 November 2026

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each 4 September 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 11 child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to leaders and managers ensuring effective communication with social workers, other professionals and family members.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to leaders and managers ensuring each child’s record is an accurate reflection of their daily experiences in the home, including any missing-from-home episodes, disclosures made by children, incidents and risks, and actions taken by managers. 4 September 2026

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans; 4 November 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 12 help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iv)(viii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure they maintain the minimum staff ratios for a child as stated in their care and safety plans and agreed with their social worker. When incidents or damage occur, leaders and managers must ensure a thorough and robust review takes place to ensure accurate details are known before any consequential action is taken that will impact the child.

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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: 2785973 13

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Redwood Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 470 Huchnall Road, Nottingham NG5 1FX

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Inspectors

Terrianne George, Social Care Inspector Nile Blanchard, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2785973 14 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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