Children's Home run by Active Care Organisation Limited in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2814661 1 Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in April 2025 and is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2026.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 9 September 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2814661 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/09/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2814661 3

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Summary of findings

The child has made significant progress from their starting point due to the consistent, therapeutic care provided by staff and managers. The child’s needs are central to practice, and staff understand them well. Strong advocacy and effective multi-agency working have led to a child-centred environment and helped the child develop trusting and meaningful relationships with staff. There has been a significant reduction in incidents, alongside positive progress in the child’s physical and emotional wellbeing, engagement with education, family relationships and sense of belonging. Strong management oversight and positive working relationships with family members and professionals have resulted in sustained positive outcomes for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child living in this home has flourished as a result of the excellent care they receive from a dedicated and skilled staff team. The trusting relationships the child has developed with staff and managers enables them to feel safe and contribute to exceptional progress in their social, emotional and behavioural development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child has had input into how the home is presented. This has helped to create a sense of belonging and establish a lasting connection with staff and the home. The child’s bedroom has been decorated to reflect their individual tastes and preferences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers and staff have a thorough understanding of the child’s history and the impact this has had on their ability to settle at the home. Managers worked alongside a clinical psychologist and the child’s social worker to understand the child’s past experiences. Staff have remained consistent in their approach, working at the child’s pace. As a result, they have made meaningful connections with the child and are now seeing them invest in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child has made significant progress in their education from their individual starting point. Having previously been out of education for a prolonged period, leaders and managers were persistent in supporting agencies to identify a tutor suited to the child’s individual needs. Staff have helped the child build a trusting relationship with their tutor. Managers address any concerns and ensure that the child is fully involved in all decisions that affect them. This has resulted in the child engaging meaningfully with education and growing in confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers identified a therapist who could engage the child through their interest in animals, recognising that this would be an important way to build their trust. The therapeutic relationship began through informal dog walks and developed into regular sessions. Staff work closely with the therapist to support the work they carry out with the child, ensuring that this is woven throughout their daily interactions. When the child has expressed concerns about the confidentiality of this relationship, managers and the Inspection report for children’s home: 2814661 4 therapist responded promptly to address these worries and restore the child’s confidence. As a result, the child’s emotional health and wellbeing have significantly improved since moving into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff recognised that health appointments caused the child to feel anxious. However, through ongoing patience and encouragement, they have helped the child to attend appointments. Professionals describe this progress as being achieved through ‘small steps taken in line with the child’s needs’ and report that this has resulted in ‘huge change’. One professional described the child as a ‘truly different child to when they arrived’ at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers advocate strongly for the child’s wishes and feelings. The manager has worked closely with family members and the child’s social worker to develop a plan that safely increased family time in line with the child’s wishes. The child is now able to have overnight stays, and plans are in place for them to go on a family holiday.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Creative incentives and rewards are used effectively to motivate the child, and their progress is celebrated. Staff are proactive in providing meaningful activities that reflect the child’s interests. Initially, the child found it difficult to leave their room; however, they now regularly attend a community-based activity, have spent time with a friend in the community and are supported to participate in fun activities with their family. These experiences have strengthened the child’s relationships, confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Records are child centred and highly personalised, reflecting the individual child. Documents provide an overview of the child’s strengths and progress, with a strong focus on praise and affirmation. Professionals describe the reporting as ‘unique and balanced’. While the child continues to require support with aspects of their daily routine, managers regularly review strategies to address this. Managers should ensure that all staff consistently implement agreed routines to support the child’s ongoing progress.

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

The child’s safety and wellbeing are at the centre of staff’s practice. Staff have a thorough understanding of the child’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. Care planning is of an exceptionally high standard, and staff are supported to manage risks through detailed, child-focused risk management plans and behaviour support plans. These plans are regularly reviewed and provide staff with clear strategies to respond to behaviours, identify patterns, and support the child in a way that avoids creating feelings of shame.

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

Risks for the child have reduced significantly. The number of challenging incidents has decreased, alongside a substantial reduction in missing-from-home episodes. There has been only one missing-from-home incident since the last inspection. Staff responded effectively to this incident and shared information with the relevant professionals. Management oversight identified learning from the incident, which was implemented into practice without delay. Inspection report for children’s home: 2814661 5 When allegations are made or shortfalls in practice are identified, managers respond promptly. They engage in reflective discussions with the child and staff following incidents to identify any areas of learning. The child is informed throughout, and information is shared effectively with the relevant agencies. Learning is clearly identified and shared with staff. The child has access to an advocate and reported that they can

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

speak to staff, including the manager, if they have any worries. Concerns raised by the child are taken seriously and responded to quickly. This ensures that the child’s voice is heard and contributes to a safe and reflective environment.

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

The use of physical intervention has reduced significantly since the last inspection. Staff use therapeutic strategies effectively to manage challenges and support the child, who generally responds positively to the adults caring for them. Where physical intervention has been necessary, it has been proportionate and appropriate. Records are detailed and provide a clear chronology of events. They include management oversight and reflective discussions with staff and the child to identify further learning.

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

Managers and staff have a strong understanding of the child’s vulnerabilities. The staff team is supported to work therapeutically with the child through the PACE model of care, which is adapted to meet the child’s needs and underpins all interactions. Plans clearly identify the child’s journey, their individual needs, and the actions required from staff to help them reach their full potential. Staff benefit from regular consultation with the organisation’s clinical psychologist. Advice and guidance are always implemented, supporting staff to manage the child’s risks and behaviours. Managers work closely with specialist services to ensure a shared understanding and consistent approach to the child’s day-to-day care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is suitably experienced and is working towards the relevant qualification. He is supported by a responsible individual who provides strong and effective leadership. Together, they lead by example and channel staff efforts effectively. They have created a positive culture in which staff feel valued and well supported to meet the child’s needs. Staff speak very positively about working in the home and report receiving effective guidance and opportunities to develop their skills. One member of staff said, ‘It is really well led, with managers who actually listen and act on anything you feel needs to be addressed without a second thought.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The responsible individual and registered manager have established a strong therapeutic culture in the home. They demonstrate a clear understanding of the impact of the child’s past experiences and ensure that the child receives compassionate and healing care. This approach is consistently modelled by the team of staff, who speak with insight and confidence about the child living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Practice is underpinned by highly effective management oversight and regular consultation with agencies, including the clinical psychologist. Managers maintain strong oversight of staff practice, including visiting the home during night shifts to monitor the quality of care and provide support to overnight staff. This robust oversight is reflected in Inspection report for children’s home: 2814661 6 the reduction in incidents and the continued development of positive relationships between the child and the adults who care for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings and supervision sessions are consistent and reflective. Managers have supportive conversations with staff to identify strengths in their practice, as well as any areas for development. The discussions are child centred and focus on the child’s experiences, while also acknowledging the impact of the role on staff who are invested. Staff are well supported to progress in their roles and are provided opportunities to further develop their skills. Appraisals are carried out annually and reflect the support available to staff in relation to their professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are up to date with their training and spoke positively about the quality of training available to them. They also undertake additional training that reflects the specific needs of the child. Some staff members are still working towards their level 3 qualifications; however, leaders and managers maintain regular oversight of their progress to support them in achieving their qualifications within appropriate timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager takes positive steps to gather the views of family members and professionals regarding the quality of care provided in the home and responds effectively to the feedback received. He makes good use of the home’s internal and external monitoring systems. Inspection report for children’s home: 2814661 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff consistently support the child to establish and maintain daily routines, helping them to continue to improve their engagement with education. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.2)

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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: 2814661 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Active Care Organisation Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 86 to 90 Paul Street, London, Inner London EC2A 4NE

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Inspector

Hannah Shoreson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2814661 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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