Children's Home run by Zencare Children's Services Ltd in Wokingham

Inspection report children's home: 2848549 1 Registered provider: Zencare Children's Services Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home was registered on the 26 January 2026 and provides care for up to3 children with social and emotional and difficulties, which may be related to complex trauma or attachment difficulties. At the time of the inspection there was one child living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

There has been no registered manager since 4 August 2026.

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Information about this children's home

There has been no responsible individual since 28 July 2026.

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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 widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected and their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor, and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: Inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

A suspension notice was issued following this inspection. The notice will be in effect from 14 August 2026 until 6 November 2026 inclusively. Inspection report children's home: 2848549 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/05/2026 Full Inadequate Inspection report children's home: 2848549 3

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Summary of findings

The welfare and progress of the child has deteriorated significantly since they moved into the home. There are serious concerns that the child is at ongoing risk of harm when missing from home. Staff do not consistently demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge to keep the child safe from harm. Some decisions made by staff have increased the risk to the child, and there has been a lack of professional curiosity and effective safeguarding practice.

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Summary of findings

The registered manager and responsible individual both recently left with immediate effect. The director of the company has stepped in to the management role and has not been subject to scrutiny in terms of his suitability to take on this role. The lack of effective management arrangements mean that staff lack the direction and support they need to provide safe and effective care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Since moving to the home, the child’s progress and stability has deteriorated. There are escalating safeguarding concerns about the child’s welfare when out in the community. One professional said, ‘[child’s name] is going missing more and more, their risk is increasing. I feel some staff are scared of [child’s name] and are not confident in putting in boundaries for them’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child does not benefit from stable and consistent routines. Staff hold positive aspirations to support the children to develop a healthier lifestyle and improve their sleep routine, but the support staff provide has not been effective at achieving this. Staff are not consistently able to engage the child in positive activities or healthy routines in order to support their progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child has not engaged in any meaningful educational arrangements since moving into the home and this is detrimental to their future life chances. Whilst there has been some exploration of an individualised education plan, staff have no consistent or coherent strategy to implement this. The child does not have a clear plan in place for the new school-term.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child could not name current staff who they would approach for support and advice. Despite identifying that the previous manager and responsible individual as positive support, both have recently left the home. As a result, the child may not have access to trusted adults in the home if they need help or support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff have failed to support the child to register for a health care provision or to attend routine appointments. Staff have not supported the child to undergo follow up investigation into a health issue and have no safety plan in place to monitor the child’s Inspection report children's home: 2848549 4 health. Staff have not supported the child to access resources that have been identified to support the child’s emotional health and well-being.

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

There are serious concerns about the child’s welfare and safety out in the community. Staff are not intervening effectively to keep them safe. At times, decisions made by staff have made it easier for the child to access funds and go into the community unsupervised. This places the child at risk of harm.

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

Although the child has benefited from some direct safeguarding conversations with staff, these are not consistent. Too few of these conversations have been undertaken in response to the escalating risks that the child is facing.

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

Some staff lack the confidence to manage the child's presenting communication and behavioural needs. They are frequently unable to hold clear boundaries and to help the child understand what is expected. In one instance, staff allowed the child to use their bicycle in order to avoid confrontation, despite knowing this would allow the child to go out unsupervised. Subsequently the child left and was later reported as missing. They were collected over thirty miles away from home the next day.

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

Staff do not consistently demonstrate an ability to use sound, professional judgements to make decisions that promote the child’s welfare. Staff were concerned that the child had two mobile phones and did not consult appropriately with the allocated social worker regarding their approach to manage this. Staff paid the child to take possession of their second phone, without considering that the child may use the money to place themselves at risk.

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

Several serious incidents have not been notified to Ofsted. On one occasion, Ofsted were not notified of a child protection investigation. The multi-agency meeting held as part of this investigation determined that there was reasonable cause to suspect that the child may be suffering or was likely to suffer significant harm. The director of the home provided guidance to staff in relation to reporting concerns to Ofsted that was inaccurate and showed a poor understanding of regulations.

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

On one occasion, when staff used physical intervention to manage a behavioural incident, this was not carried out safely. The manager’s review of this incident was flawed and did not identify areas of practice that needed to be addressed to ensure that staff understand how to safely intervene.

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

On at least one occasion after being missing from home, the child has regained access by climbing through windows and without staff being aware. This represents a health and safety risk. In addition, staff not being aware that the child is in the home means that there are times when staff are not monitoring the child’s health and well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Inspection report children's home: 2848549 5 The registered manager and responsible individual both recently left with immediate effect due to concerns about the financial security and governance of the organisation. The impact of this has been compounded by the deputy manager being on extended annual leave. This means that there is no management structure in the home. As a result, the director has taken an active role in the day to day running of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The director notified Ofsted of an incident that raised concern about his conduct and judgement. The director failed to notify Ofsted of another significant concern relating to his conduct that raises questions in relation to his suitability to be working in the home. He has not been subject to the safe recruitment and vetting process required under the regulations since their role changed. He does not yet have a valid disclosure and barring certificate, and Ofsted cannot verify that they are a safe and suitable person to be in the home. Given that the director has been involved in direct work with the child, this potentially places the child at risk of harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The director also failed to inform Ofsted that a civil court order was made against the organisation related to their financial obligations earlier this year. In addition to this, there have been separate concerns raised by others that the organisation has not paid them on time. This raises concerns about the financial security of the organisation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The director has not maintained oversight of the carrying on of the children’s home and previously delegated this responsibility to the previous registered manager and responsible individual. He has not provided the leadership required to provide safe care for children and address shortfalls or sustain improvements to practice following the inadequate judgement at the last full inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Following the recent changes in the management structure, one staff member shared that managers were not present or visible. They reported that the director was highly critical of staff and lacked trust in the ability of staff to carry out their duties. This created unhealthy working dynamics between staff and managers, and a blame culture that undermined the functioning of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The day-to-day staffing structure has been poorly managed and two staff, including the deputy manager, are on extended annual leave. There are gaps in the staff rota, and the home relies on agency staff to cover gaps. The staffing challenges do not provide a stable or consistent experience of care for the child. Inspection report children's home: 2848549 6

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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, 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

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

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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.

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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;

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation (12)(1)(2)(a)(i)(iii)(vi)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff act in children's best interests and consider wider safeguarding factors when responding to children's underlying risks. The registered person must also ensure that the physical environment is safely maintained to prevent children from gaining access to the home through windows. 14 August 2026 Inspection report children's home: 2848549 7 The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

understand the child's health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child's health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child's health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child's well-being;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is registered as a patient with a general medical practitioner and a registered dental practitioner; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation (10)(1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff actively support and encourage children to attend their arranged medical appointments, and should this not happen, that appropriate follow up is then carried out with the child to support their future engagement. 14 August 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 develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered 14 August 2026 Inspection report children's home: 2848549 8 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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure there is appropriate consultation with the allocated social worker for any decisions that may impact on children's day to day care. The registered person must ensure that staff fully understand their expectations and carry out their responsibilities in accordance with these expectations.

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Requirement Due date

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

provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking account of the child's background;

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff encourage children to engage in a range of positive experiences and healthy routines 14 August 2026

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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

promotes their welfare. 14 August 2026 Inspection report children's home: 2848549 9 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; 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

An organisation may only carry on a home if—

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Requirement Due date

each director of the organisation, except for a director who is the responsible individual, who is involved in the carrying on of a home by that organisation satisfies the requirements in paragraph (6).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of the matters in paragraphs 1 and 3 to 6 of Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation (26)(i)(6)(a)(b)) 14 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must carry on the children's home in such manner as is likely to ensure that the home will be financially viable for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives set out in the statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— 14 August 2026 Inspection report children's home: 2848549 10 a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation (40)(4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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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 children's home: 2848549 11

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Zencare Children's Services Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 19 Goodliffe Gardens, Tilehurst, Reading RG31 6FZ

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Inspector

Ashley Edwards, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2848549 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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