Children's Home run by SSV Shapes Ltd in Barnet

Inspection report for children’s home: 2790891 1 Registered provider: SSV Shapes 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

This privately owned home provides care for up to 3 children with social and emotional difficulties. There were 2 children living at the home at the time of this inspection. The inspectors spoke with both children as part of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This home and the manager registered with Ofsted on 3 February 2025.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2790891 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/07/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2790891 3

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Summary of findings

Relationship-based practice is a significant strength of the home. Staff know the children well, invest time in them, protect them and promote their welfare. Children make good progress from the starting points.

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Summary of findings

Staff understand the risks to children in their care and the action to take when there are safeguarding concerns. The children feel safe and are safer because of living at the home.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have high aspirations for children. They have created a team of staff who are committed to giving children with complex lives stability, high levels of care and opportunities to flourish. They are fully involved in the children’s lives and have a good knowledge of their needs, starting points and progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children living at the home develop positive and enduring relationships with staff. This has helped children to settle and trust the adults who care for them and, as a result, make good progress from their starting points. Relationship-based practice is a strength of the home and extends to the relationships staff form with relatives and professional networks, which in turn promotes children’s sense of belonging and stability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One professional said, ‘Staff have demonstrated persistence, patience and commitment in supporting [child] through challenges which may have resulted in placement disruption elsewhere. Staff have developed positive relationships with the child, and these relationships have been instrumental in promoting their engagement and overall stability.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children said they liked living in the home and that staff listen to them and support them. When asked if there was anything they would change about the home or the staff, both children said there was nothing they would change. Children’s views are actively sought through individualised questionnaires and regular meetings, and their expressed views shape the care that is provided to children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported by staff to engage in a range of activities they enjoy, such as going to the cinema, go-karting, baking and visiting theme parks. Plans are in place for both children to go on holiday with staff in the summer. Staff also ensure children can continue activities they did before moving to the home, recognising the importance of children maintaining important experiences, connections and relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager has established relationships with local education providers and advocates strongly for children who have not been accessing education. Plans are in Inspection report for children’s home: 2790891 4 place for one child to return to full-time education, and for another child to start college in September.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move on from the home, staff maintain relationships and offer continued support. This helps to ensure that endings are calm and child centred and promotes children’s understanding and overall experience of transitions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to spend time with family and friends where appropriate. Relatives described the home as warm and welcoming, and they appreciated the excellent communication from staff.

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

Both children said they felt safe living at the home. Children receive help and support to manage their behaviour and feelings safely. Staff understand children’s experiences, respond with appropriate boundaries about what is safe and acceptable for each child and seek to understand the triggers for behaviour.

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

Children benefit from tailored, personalised care in line with the home’s trauma-informed ethos. This approach has led to a significant reduction of incidents for children and evident progress in children’s emotional and social development. Staff advocate and support children to access specialist services they need.

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

Safeguarding practice in the home is good. Staff are clear about their responsibilities and know what action to take should they become concerned about a child. Children’s needs and vulnerabilities are well understood by staff, and plans are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changing and dynamic risks.

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

When children go missing from home, staff follow the agreed plan to reduce risk during this time. They work closely with external professionals, including social workers and police, to understand the reasons behind the child’s behaviour and develop preventative strategies. One professional said, ‘There have been several occasions where staff intervention and engagement have successfully prevented missing episodes and reduced risks to [child].’

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

Allegations or suspicions of harm are shared with the appropriate agencies, and resulting investigations are handled fairly, quickly and in accordance with statutory guidance. . Children are supported and protected. Support is given both to the person making the allegation and the person who is the subject of the allegation. Ofsted is informed of safeguarding concerns as required. This supports regulatory oversight and children’s safety and wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers provide strong, ambitious and inspirational leadership. Leaders and managers know their strengths and weaknesses well. Recommendations from the last inspection have been fully addressed. The registered and deputy manager are Inspection report for children’s home: 2790891 5 actively involved in children’s lives, and both children spoke positively about the support they had received from these individuals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers understand the importance of management oversight and have effective systems in place to support quality assurance. This includes regular monthly visits by an independent person, to whom the registered manager consistently responds. The manager completes twice-yearly quality of care reviews, which inform planning for the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff work in line with the home’s stated ethos and objectives. Staff are happy and proud of their work and speak with warmth and care about the children. There is a sense of collaborative working to promote the needs of children. This helps children to receive effective, coordinated care. Staff commitment to ensuring that children have positive experiences while living at the home was evident.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision and appraisals take place. Team meetings occur regularly and are used effectively as a forum for reflection, learning and discussion around staff practice and children’s needs. Safeguarding remains central to the agenda, and discussions are consistently child focused, with clear actions for staff to follow. In addition, staff benefit from the input of the home’s behavioural analysis, who supports reflection and planning for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers ensure that staff complete mandatory training. Additional bespoke training is arranged where required to strengthen staff practice and help them meet the specific needs of the children that they care for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Family and professionals are positive about the home’s care, communication and the progress children are making. Leaders and managers have excellent working relationships with partner agencies and schools that ensure the best possible care, experiences and futures for children. When responses from other services are not effective, leaders and managers provide evident challenge to ensure better outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2790891 6

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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: 2790891 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: First Floor, 85 Great Portland Street, Marylebone, London W1W 7LT

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Inspectors

Tina Woolley, Social Care Inspector Lisa O’Donovan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2790891 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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