Children's Home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children's home: 2490999 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is owned by a private provider and is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who may have emotional and social difficulties. The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2024.

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Information about this children's home

One child was living at the home at the time of the inspection. Their views were sought during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 3 December 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2490999 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2025 Full Good 18/03/2025 Full Good 05/12/2023 Full Good 08/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2490999 3

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Summary of findings

The child's wellbeing is at the centre of practice. Staff have a good understanding of the child's complex needs and adapt their support accordingly. They are proactive in meeting the child's individual needs, responding quickly and flexibly to adjust strategies when these are not effective. Staff focus on small, achievable targets, supporting the child to make progress and build on success. As a result, the child is making progress from their starting point and benefits from support that is tailored to their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child's voice is at the heart of the home and is captured through creative approaches. Staff are skilled at ensuring that the child feels heard and valued. For example, avatars are used in place of personal photos for a child who does not wish to use their own images. This demonstrates respect for children's wishes and promotes their sense of safety and control.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff praise the child highly for their achievements, recognising that even small steps can be significant in supporting the child to make progress. These achievements are captured in positivity books, which reinforce the child's progress and help to develop their self-esteem, confidence and pride in what they have achieved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the child continues to receive structured education in the home. This is provided by an external tutor. A detailed child-centred transition plan is in place to reduce anxieties around the child's move to a new educational setting in September 2026. This plan has been developed in partnership with the child and the team of professionals around them, ensuring a positive and well-prepared move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The team supports the child in maintaining positive relationships with those who are important to them. Staff recognise the value of these connections in supporting the child's emotional wellbeing and increased sense of belonging. Progress has been made in this area, with the child now spending increased time with a particular family member.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child's interests and future aspirations. For example, the child has expressed a wish to travel. As a result, staff have started exploring different cultures and countries with them, focusing on places they would like to visit. This work helps the child to learn about the wider world and develop an understanding of diversity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and managers continue to refurbish and refresh the home. Although initial works have begun, further work is still required to complete this throughout the home. This will ensure the environment provides a welcoming well-maintained space that continues to meet the needs of the child. Inspection report for children's home: 2490999 4

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

The child's risk assessments are robust and provide detailed guidance to staff. These are regularly reviewed to accurately reflect the evolving needs of the child, including if there has been an increase or reduction in risk. When risks have reduced, assessments are updated to promote the child's independence, while maintaining their safety. This ensures that risk management is proactive and responsive to children's changing needs.

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

The manager responds to the child's complaints promptly and sensitively. Effective partnership working with local authorities and relevant professionals ensures that the child's voice remains central to planning and decision-making.

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

The manager works closely with the therapy team to ensure staff receive regular clinical consultation. As a result, therapeutic approaches are embedded throughout practice, enabling staff to provide consistent and effective support to the child. The child's complex behaviours are regularly reviewed by the team around the child to identify and provide effective, individualised support.

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

The manager has built staff confidence in using consistent behaviour management strategies, supported by therapeutic language. This work is helping staff better understand the child's needs, respond therapeutically and strengthen relationships and trust between the child and the staff team.

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

The manager has completed a detailed location risk assessment. In order to complete this, he canvassed the views of the police, local authorities and other agencies, gaining a good understanding of the specific risks to the child in the area. This assessment highlights specific risks and vulnerabilities for the child, assisting staff in keeping the child safe and supporting a proactive approach to risk management.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager provides strong, clear direction and stability to his team. He is supported by a competent deputy manager, who shares his vision and commitment in supporting the child and the team to succeed. Together, they deliver motivational leadership with confidence and ambition, actively influencing practice and driving positive change for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is proactive in ensuring the staff team is well supported. He recognises the emotional impact of the work and ensures that staff wellbeing is actively supported. An open-door culture ensures that staff feel listened to, valued and supported. In addition, staff benefit from regular, reflective supervision and purposeful team meetings. This provides an important forum for communication, idea-sharing and constructive challenge. This supports staff to develop professionally and maintain good-quality practice. Inspection report for children's home: 2490999 5 The manager demonstrates outstanding oversight of the home. This is achieved through comprehensive audits that prioritise reflection, learning and accountability. This information is used to identify risks at an early stage and to challenge poor practice, ensuring that the care provided is of a good standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and his deputy are ambitious in identifying relevant, well-researched guidance to inform the team's practice in meeting the complex needs of the child. The manager recognises that continuous upskilling of the staff team is key to achieving this. The manager continues to work closely with the child and adolescent mental health services to develop staff knowledge, skills and confidence, ensuring they are well equipped to provide effective, consistent and therapeutic support to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive training that supports them to understand the individual needs of the child. The manager demonstrates a strong commitment to developing the staff team and has implemented individual development plans. He continues to monitor progress where staff have not yet achieved the required qualification and has taken action to provide support and guidance to staff in achieving this. This strengthens staff knowledge and skill sets and, as a result, the quality of care provided to the child. Inspection report for children's home: 2490999 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that repairs and maintenance are completed in a timely way and to a good standard. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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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: 2490999 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Sarah Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2490999 8 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspector

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