Children's Home run by Holden Knight Healthcare Temp Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 1 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Registered provider: Holden Knight Healthcare Temp Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for 1 child who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in July 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post is vacant. The new manager has submitted her application to register, and Ofsted is considering her suitability and skills.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 1 child was living at the home.

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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: 11 February 2026

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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: 2788683 2 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/02/2026 Full Good 14/01/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 3 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Summary of findings

The child benefits from a safe and stable home and has developed positive, trusting relationships with most staff, who provide important emotional support and advocate effectively on their behalf. Staff are also beginning to develop a more therapeutic understanding of the child’s behaviour.

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Summary of findings

Staff have not consistently supported the development of independence skills that the child needs for adult life. Some areas of the home require repair, including damage to the child’s bedroom.

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Summary of findings

Safeguarding practice requires improvement. Staff do not have a consistent understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, risks are not always accurately recorded, and responses to concerns lack consistency. While work around substance misuse, behaviour support and key-work sessions is improving, this has not yet resulted in reduced risk-taking behaviour.

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Summary of findings

Leadership has strengthened under the new manager, who has a clear improvement plan and is developing effective oversight systems. However, improvements are not yet embedded, staff teamwork and communication remain inconsistent, and previous management oversight, record-keeping and regulatory compliance have been weak. Overall, the home requires improvement to achieve good outcomes for the child.

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improvement to be good

The child benefits from a safe and comfortable home. However, some areas of the home need to be refreshed or repaired and there is damage to walls of the child's bedroom. This detracts from the overall presentation of the home.

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improvement to be good

The child has lived at the home since before it was registered. Staff have provided an important source of stability for them during a period of significant challenge. However, recently, the child has not been supported to make progress in all areas of their development.

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improvement to be good

The child has been out of formal education for a considerable period. Staff have encouraged some engagement with alternative educational activities, including work with external providers and digital learning resources. However, these interventions have not resulted in educational progress.

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improvement to be good

Staff have not yet supported the child to learn the skills they need for independent adult life. Although the child's plans identify the skills that need to be developed, staff have Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 4 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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improvement to be good

not consistently supported the child to acquire and practise these skills. The child is not yet being prepared for increased responsibilities.

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improvement to be good

The child’s records do not consistently provide an accurate reflection of their experiences. Some records adopt an overly positive tone that minimises difficulties and significant incidents. For example, records relating to serious incidents have focused disproportionately on positive aspects of the day rather than providing a balanced and realistic account of events. In addition, some records demonstrate a lack of professional curiosity and do not consistently evidence appropriate exploration or follow-up of concerns. This limits opportunities to understand the child's lived experiences and accurately evaluate progress over time. Although leaders have begun work to improve recording practices, these improvements are not yet fully embedded.

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improvement to be good

The child has positive relationships with staff. They said that they get on well with those caring for them and can talk to staff when they need support. The child has consistently told professionals that they trust staff and feel able to seek help and guidance when required.

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improvement to be good

Staff are developing their understanding of the child's behaviour. Regular input from the home's clinician is helping staff to recognise behaviour as a form of communication. Staff are becoming increasingly familiar with therapeutic approaches and parenting strategies that support the child's needs. While there is evidence of improved understanding, these approaches are not yet consistently embedded in day-to-day practice.

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improvement to be good

Staff advocate effectively on the child's behalf and maintain positive working relationships with external professionals. They have ensured that the child has access to an independent advocate who supports them to express their wishes and feelings in relation to local authority care planning. This helps to ensure that the child's views are represented in decisions that affect their life.

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improvement to be good

The child’s relationships with friends and family are improving. Staff have helped the child to establish some positive friendships in the local community. The child’s social worker said that there have also been improvements in the child’s family relationships. Positive relationships contribute to the child's emotional wellbeing.

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improvement to be good

The child’s risks remain stable. Staff maintain effective communication with partner agencies and work collaboratively to monitor and manage risks. Staff help the child to work well with professional support, such as the youth offending services. This approach has not yet resulted in the child becoming safer.

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improvement to be good

Staff do not have a consistent understand of their safeguarding responsibilities. Staff have differing understandings of how to respond to serious safeguarding concerns, such as suspected possession of drugs or weapons, missing-from-care incidents, and Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 5 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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improvement to be good

community-based risks. Some staff are also unable to identify all of the child's current risks. These inconsistencies undermine effective safeguarding practice.

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improvement to be good

The child's records do not consistently reflect their risks, vulnerabilities, and experiences. Some significant incidents have not been accurately recorded. Improvements to recording and reporting are underway but are not yet fully embedded.

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improvement to be good

The child has a detailed behaviour support plan, informed by clinical advice. Despite this, staff do not yet demonstrate a coordinated and consistent response to the child's risks.

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improvement to be good

Support in relation to substance misuse is improving. Staff have referred the child to specialist services and regularly discuss the associated risks. Leaders have also introduced clearer guidance for staff. However, these measures have not yet had a sustained impact on reducing risk-taking behaviours.

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improvement to be good

Staff use bedroom searches proportionately to keep the child safe. However, staff do not consistently understand when searches should be undertaken or how the child should be involved. The child receives inconsistent messages about bedroom searches, which may reduce their understanding of and cooperation with this safeguarding measure.

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improvement to be good

Staff now regularly have important conversations with the child about important topics. Staff help the child to think about their own risks, potential consequences and decision- making. The records of these key-work sessions are improving.

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improvement to be good

There have been two investigations into allegations during the inspection period. One allegation has been investigated thoroughly, with clear evidence supporting the outcome reached. However, records relating to a separate whistleblowing concern were not available and did not meet the organisation's own procedures or expectations. This weakens oversight and accountability in relation to safeguarding matters.

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

The new manager demonstrates a realistic understanding of the home's strengths and areas requiring improvement. Since taking up post, she has prioritised safety and has developed a clear action plan aimed at improving practice. Although these improvements are at an early stage and are not yet fully embedded, there is evidence of purposeful leadership and a commitment to driving sustainable change.

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

Leaders and managers have effective monitoring systems in place. The manager is using these appropriately to identify weaknesses and promote improvement. Positive changes have yet to have a measurable impact on the child’s progress.

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

Team morale is variable. Communication within the staff team is not always effective or constructive. This has affected trust between staff members and impacted the consistency of care provided to the child. On one occasion the child was exposed to a disagreement between members of staff child, while this was immediately addressed by the manager this represents weaknesses in teamwork and professional relationships. Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 6 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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

Staff have access to a range of training opportunities, including training relevant to the child's specific needs. Leaders have identified areas where staff confidence and competence require further development and have established plans to strengthen learning through additional face-to-face training. Any gaps in learning are also addressed through supervision. However, staff have previously undertaken responsibilities beyond their level of training. Leaders have not consistently ensured that staff possess the skills and knowledge required for all aspects of their role.

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

Staff now receive regular supervision. Records of supervision are detailed, child-focused and provide constructive challenge where practice falls short of expectations. Leaders and managers support accountability and professional development.

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

Leaders and managers have not kept the home’s statement of purpose updated. This has also not been available on the company’s website, which was a requirement of the last inspection. The manager addressed this shortfall during the inspection and so the requirement will not be restated.

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

Leaders and managers have not demonstrated consistent oversight of care. The previous quality of care review was submitted to Ofsted outside the required timescales and did not provide an accurate analysis of the child's experiences and progress. The current manager demonstrates a realistic understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and is completing an updated quality of care review within regulatory timescales. Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 7 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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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

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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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

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

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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

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

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must make sure that staff understand the child's risks and know what to do in response to all risks. The registered person must make sure that all staff respond to risk in the same way, so as to provide the child with consistency. 30 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 8 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that staff know the rules and boundaries of the home and how to employ them. The child must receive consistent responses and messages from all staff. The registered person must make sure that all staff record all significant and serious incidents accurately and objectively.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that there are up-to- date, helpful risk assessments in place to cover all aspects of the child's day-to-day care, in particular a useful pet risk assessment and plan.

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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 promotes their welfare.

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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

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;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to 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

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)(h)) 30 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 9 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must make sure that staff work well as a team, communicate effectively and trust each other's practice.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that staff have the skills, knowledge and understanding of their role and responsibilities to provide consistent, good quality care which helps the child make measurable progress.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make sure that staff do not undertake any role, such as that of appropriate adult, when this is outside of their skills and knowledge.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child's education and training targets, as recorded in the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child's learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child's education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child's education and training and to maximise the child's achievement;

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Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child's education or training provider and the child's placing authority; 30 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 10 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child's relevant plans. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(vii)(ix)(x))

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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

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult. (Regulation 6 (2)(vi)) 30 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response. (Regulation 34 (2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must make sure that full and accurate records are kept in relation to all allegations and concerns, regardless of the outcome of any investigation. 30 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must make sure that child's records represent a full, accurate and objective account of their experiences. The registered person must make sure that staff 30 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 11 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Requirement Due date

understand the importance of careful record keeping and use appropriate language, which is helpful to the child.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should make sure that the home environment is always maintained to a good homely, domestic standard. In particular, the paintwork in the child’s room and throughout the home should be repaired of any damage in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 A child’s bedroom should not generally be entered without their permission, though it may be necessary to establish routines to allow for circumstances such as rooms to be cleaned regularly. Usually, rooms should only be searched if the child has been informed or asked for their permission. Immediate searching may be necessary where there are reasonable grounds for believing that there is a risk to the child’s or another person’s safety or well-being. The registered person should make sure that staff and the child understand the circumstances in which the child’s room may be searched and should ensure that this practice is applied consistently. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 16, paragraph 3.20)

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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: 2788683 12 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Holden Knight Healthcare Temp Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 200 Brook Drive, Reading, RG2 6UB

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Inspector

Nicola Shaw, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2788683 13 FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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Inspector

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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