Children's Home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 1 Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living in the home. One child had recently moved out.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The post for a registered manager has been vacant since September 2025.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

p.1

inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

inadequate

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

p.1

inadequate

Date of last inspection: 24 February 2026

p.1

inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/02/2026 Full Good 04/02/2025 Full Outstanding 28/02/2024 Full Outstanding 07/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Children living in this home have variable experiences and outcomes.

p.3

Summary of findings

Significant shortfalls in leadership and management, together with ineffective safeguarding practice, mean that children are not consistently protected from harm.

p.3

Summary of findings

Weak oversight, inconsistent practice and a lack of suitably skilled and supported staff have compromised children’s safety, welfare and wellbeing. As a result, the quality of care provided to children is inadequate.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children are living in an environment that does not consistently promote a sense of belonging or provide a nurturing and homely atmosphere. One child has not been supported to unpack their belongings despite moving into the home almost 2 months ago. There is damage in the home, repairs have not been completed in a timely manner, and some areas are not maintained to an acceptable standard of cleanliness. The living conditions are affected further by restrictions in place for one child that unnecessarily limit the freedom and access of another child. Staff practice in relation to restrictions is inconsistent and does not always reflect agreed safety plans, resulting in children receiving inconsistent care.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The staffing arrangements in the home are unstable. The permanent staff team is small and inexperienced, and this is supplemented by staff from the wider organisation and agency staff. As a result, children experience frequent changes in the staff caring for them, limiting opportunities to develop secure and trusting relationships. Several staff members have left their employment without working their notice period, meaning that children have not been supported to experience positive and planned endings. Consequently, children do not benefit from the stability and consistency of care that they need, and the quality of their day-to-day experiences is adversely affected.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

One child experienced an unplanned move out of the home. This followed a period during which staff did not have the skills and experience to safely manage the children living together. Some situations escalated to the point that police were called to the home to manage behaviour. For another child’s move into the home staff were not supported or fully prepared to meet their needs either before or after their arrival. This child did not benefit from a workforce that was equipped to provide consistent and effective care.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Weak leadership and management have contributed to these shortfalls. Leaders and managers have failed to ensure that children consistently receive care that is safe, nurturing and responsive to their needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 4 Despite these concerns, some children have made limited progress from their starting points. Children’s experiences and outcomes remain variable. Some children are being supported to re-engage with education, and one child has been helped to return to their previous education provision to sit their GCSEs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children are supported to access the wider community. They participate in regular activities and enjoy days out. For example, one child regularly attends a gym, which has encouraged healthier lifestyle choices, including improved engagement with healthy eating. This has provided the child with a positive focus and contributed to their wellbeing.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children’s health needs are responded to. Staff liaise with medical professionals and support children to attend appointments. When specialist services are needed, staff advocate for children to access the support they need.

p.4

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

Staff say they do not feel safe working in the home and do not have confidence that they have the necessary skills and experience to keep children safe. This has had a negative effect on children, with one child remaining awake throughout the night when incidents occur due to concerns staff may be harmed.

p.4

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

The number of serious incidents occurring in the home has increased. Staff do not consistently demonstrate the skills, confidence or competence needed to manage behaviours safely and effectively. Staff responses to incidents are variable, and some situations have escalated to the extent that police intervention has been required. Although leaders and staff ensure that incidents are reported to relevant professionals, including children’s social workers, the local authority designated officer and Ofsted, records relating to incidents are incomplete and lack consistency. Furthermore, opportunities to support learning and reflection are missed, as follow-up work with children is not always carried out and debriefs with staff and children do not routinely occur. Staff have sustained injuries during serious incidents and said that, when such events occur, their welfare and wellbeing are not prioritised appropriately.

p.4

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

When children go missing from home, staff take action to locate them and support their safe return. However, following their return, children are not provided with the opportunity to speak to an independent person. This is a missed opportunity to explore the reasons why children go missing, identify any potential safeguarding concerns, and gather information that could inform risk assessments and future care planning.

p.4

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

Risk management plans are ineffective. Staff report that updates are not consistently communicated, resulting in confusion and a lack of shared understanding across the team. Risk assessments do not consistently identify all known risks to children, nor do they provide sufficiently clear guidance for staff on how risks should be managed and incidents responded to. In addition, leaders and managers have not ensured that Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 5 children are supported to understand and manage the specific risks they face. For example, risks relating to suicidal ideation, internet use and the use of electronic cigarettes have not been identified, explored or addressed effectively by either children or staff. These shortfalls in assessment, planning and oversight mean that staff are not consistently equipped to respond safely to children’s needs. Furthermore, children are not being supported to develop the knowledge and skills needed to make safer and more

p.4

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

informed decisions. As a result, children remain vulnerable to ongoing harm.

p.5

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

Records relating to restrictions in place in the home and the associated safety plans do not fully consider or clearly assess the effect of these measures on fire safety. While consultation with a fire safety specialist has taken place, this is not sufficiently reflected in the home’s records. As a result, staff do not have clear guidance regarding the management of associated risks, and some staff members feel less safe as a result. These shortfalls compromise effective risk management for both children and staff.

p.5

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

Leaders and managers ensure that appropriate recruitment and vetting checks are carried out before staff commence work in the home. This helps to reduce the risk of children being cared for by unsuitable adults.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The leadership and management arrangements in the home are weak and ineffective. Leaders and managers have failed to maintain effective oversight of the service, resulting in widespread shortfalls in practice that have adversely affected the quality of care provided to children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The current manager has been in post since November 2025 and has failed to register with Ofsted. This has resulted in the registered manager position remaining vacant for a prolonged period. During this time, there has been a lack of clarity regarding the home’s operating identity and strategic direction. This has contributed to a fragmented culture, inconsistent practice and uncertainty among the staff. Consequently, children and staff have not benefited from a stable, cohesive and well-led service, and their experiences have been adversely affected.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has not ensured that staff receive regular, effective supervision or access to training that reflects the individual needs of children living in the home. Team meetings do not take place consistently, limiting opportunities for reflection, communication and professional development. As a result, staff are not adequately supported to meet children’s needs, staff morale is low, and children are not receiving the standard of care and support they require.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not ensured that staff have the necessary skills, knowledge and competence to meet the needs of the children living in the home. Practice is inconsistent and lacks effective reflective oversight. Emerging risks are not consistently identified, assessed or responded to in a timely manner. Consequently, children do not benefit from care provided by a suitably supported and well-guided workforce. These failings undermine the quality of care provided and increase the risk of harm to children. Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 6 Leaders and managers have failed to identify and address weaknesses in staffing arrangements and deficits in practice. As a result, poor practice has gone unrecognised and unresolved. This has exposed children to ongoing risks and contributed to care that is inconsistent and, at times, unsafe.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Monitoring and review systems are ineffective and do not provide leaders and managers with sufficient oversight of the home’s day-to-day operation. As a result, significant concerns relating to staff practice, safeguarding, training and risk management have not been identified or addressed promptly. This lack of management oversight has hindered improvement and compromised children’s welfare and experiences.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Feedback from one parent is positive. They report that communication from staff is good and that their child has been supported to maintain important relationships with family members since moving into the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 7

p.6

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.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, requires the registered person to ensure—

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

p.7

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)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(d)) 31 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 8 *The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, requires the registered person to—

p.8

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;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.8

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;

p.8

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.8

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.8

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)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

p.8

Requirement Due date

This requirement has been restated. 31 October 2026

p.8

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— 1 November 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 9 ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.8

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

ensure that any care that is arranged or provided for a child that—

p.9

Requirement Due date

relates to the child's development (within the meaning of section 17(11) of the Children Act 1989) or health. (Regulation 6 (1)(c)(i)(ii)(d)(i))

p.9

Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

p.9

Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

p.9

Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home; is necessary and proportionate;

p.9

Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) 1 November 2026

p.9

Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

p.9

Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children's home;

p.9

Requirement Due date

provide adequate means of escape from the home in the event of fire. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)(b)) 1 November 2026

p.9

Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 10

p.9

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: 1250521 11

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Units 73 and 74, Maple Leaf Business Park, Manston, Ramsgate CT12 5GD

p.11

Inspector

Cassie Martin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1250521 12 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.11

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.12

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.12

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.12