Children's Home run by Alentar Care Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 1 Registered provider: Alentar Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is owned and operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to 2 children who experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

One child was living in the home at the time of the inspection. The child was not present during the inspection; therefore, their views could not be considered.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024. She is also a manager for another home for the organisation.

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Information about this children's home

The inspector was aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the last inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector's judgements.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children's home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 9 December 2025

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/12/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 3

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Summary of findings

Children benefit from committed staff who support their education, relationships and engagement in a range of activities. However, the quality of care is inconsistent. Weaknesses in placement planning, safeguarding practice, behaviour management and leadership oversight have resulted in children being exposed to avoidable risks. Leaders have identified areas for improvement, but these are not yet embedded consistently to ensure that children are safe and their needs are fully met.

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improvement to be good

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved out and one child has moved in.

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improvement to be good

The child moved in following multiple previous placement breakdowns and was not involved in decisions about their move. They were not given the opportunity to meet staff or visit the home before moving in, and were informed of the move on the day. This resulted in an unnecessarily stressful move into the home.

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improvement to be good

Managers did not fully consider the child's needs before they moved in. Some needs were considered significant by the child's family worker. Referral information was not fully up to date and managers did not demonstrate sufficient professional curiosity by seeking updated information. This limited their ability to fully understand and plan for the child's needs.

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improvement to be good

The child did not settle well despite staff's efforts. They experienced significant incidents, while another child returned to the home during this unsettled period. This resulted in additional disruption for children.

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improvement to be good

One child moved on after only a few weeks. While this was not the original plan for the child, managers appropriately reviewed the child's care needs and recognised that they could not be met at the home. The move was managed in a planned way, and staff have maintained contact with the child to minimise feelings of rejection.

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improvement to be good

One child had an agreed period living away from the home for reasons outside the manager's control. This was managed well. Managers and staff maintained regular contact with the child and visited them, helping to sustain positive relationships before they moved back to the home.

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improvement to be good

Children make good progress in education. One child completed their GCSEs and attended their prom. Another child attends alternative provision and is expected to increase their education hours imminently. Children benefit from a range of activities, including visits to theme parks, country parks and pamper nights. Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 4 Staff encourage children to maintain relationships with family and friends wherever possible. One child began rebuilding their relationship with their mother initially through letters. Another child saw their sister during their short stay at the home and another child regularly spends time with friends in the community.

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improvement to be good

One child experienced a positive move to the provider's sister home. They were consulted about the move and have settled well. They now have the company of another child with similar interests.

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improvement to be good

The home requires some improvements to its physical environment. Decoration and replacement carpets are needed following recent events. Managers have identified this and have a plan in place to ensure that the home is maintained as a homely and welcoming environment.

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improvement to be good

There have been several significant incidents at the home. Despite staff's best efforts, at times, children have been exposed to risky situations.

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improvement to be good

The behaviour of one child has not been managed consistently or effectively. Despite staff receiving training, some staff lacked confidence in managing the child's behaviour. This resulted in situations where staff and the child were left vulnerable when physical intervention was required. The level of aggression displayed by the child also resulted in some staff being injured and becoming fearful.

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improvement to be good

Staff have not followed the child's behaviour support plan consistently. On occasions, staff have used blaming and shaming language. This is inconsistent with the home's therapeutic approach and had the potential to escalate the child's behaviour further.

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improvement to be good

Agency workers have worked with children alongside permanent staff, particularly when increased staffing has been needed following allegations. However, they have not always had all relevant recruitment checks completed before working at the home. This means that children could have been exposed to unnecessary safeguarding risks.

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improvement to be good

Allegations are generally managed appropriately and children are safeguarded effectively. However, on one occasion, staff did not follow safeguarding procedures, resulting in a delay in managers receiving information about an allegation. Once managers were informed, appropriate action was taken. Safeguarding training for all staff is planned to strengthen understanding and reduce the likelihood of this happening again.

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improvement to be good

One child has been involved in criminality before, and since, moving to the home. Staff work with the child and external youth offending team workers to reduce these risks. The child has engaged with support. However, concerns about their continued involvement in criminality remain. Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 5 Staff manage children going missing from the home appropriately. They follow individual protocols and ensure that relevant agencies are informed. There is evidence of effective multi-agency working to safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager is experienced and working towards a level 5 qualification. At the time of the inspection, the manager had given notice to Ofsted of her intention to cancel her registration. A new manager has been appointed but has not yet applied for registration.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home has experienced a challenging period, including strained relationships between the director and manager. The deputy manager and responsible individual have worked to minimise the impact on children and staff. However, the instability has affected the effectiveness of leadership and management.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The responsible individual recognises that improvements are required and has developed an improvement plan. However, leaders have not had the time to demonstrate that improvements are embedded into practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Managers have good oversight of significant incidents. However, when staff have used blaming or shaming approaches with a child, managers have not identified this as a practice concern or addressed it appropriately. A plan is in place to re-induct all staff in order to reinforce expectations and standards of practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There has been a high volume of serious incidents notified to Ofsted within a short period of time. Some notifications have been submitted late and, on one occasion, a serious incident was not notified to Ofsted. Not notifying in line with regulations reduces Ofsted's ability to monitor the action taken.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Generally, managers support staff well. Staff speak highly of the deputy manager and report that she goes above and beyond to support them and provides regular supervision. However, the deputy manager has received only 2 formal supervisions in 7 months. This has not provided her with sufficient management oversight and support to continue her professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Despite the challenging period, staff morale is high. Staff have demonstrated resilience and a commitment to the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Feedback from professionals is generally positive. One social worker said, 'I think we should be applauding these people. They can look after complex children and are doing everything they can. I am very happy with the way we are working and communicating with them.' Professionals are confident in the care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff benefit from good-quality training and access to a psychologist who supports them to understand children's trauma and reflect on challenging situations. Staff value the opportunity to discuss and process their experiences openly. Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 6 There has been one complaint from a neighbour due to significant disruption in the community. Managers have taken the complaint seriously and have effectively rebuilt relationships with local neighbours. Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all relevant information about the child is carefully considered before they move to the home and ensure that, wherever possible, children's views are considered and they visit the home and meet staff before moving into the home. 20 November 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b)) 20 November 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 8 In particular, ensure that staff implement children's behaviour support plans and have confidence to manage physical interventions if needed.

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Requirement Due date

Following incidents, ensure that there is sufficient oversight that evaluates and addresses staff practice appropriately.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children's home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that satisfactory schedule 2 information is received for agency staff before they work in the home. 20 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 20 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all staff, including managers, receive regular supervision. 20 November 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 9

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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: 2841758 10

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Alentar Care Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 71 Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin SG4 0TY

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2841758 11 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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