Children's Home run by Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited in Devon

Inspection report for children’s home: 1256771 1 Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings 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 by a private provider and offers care for up to 3 children.

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Information about this children’s home

The provider states in the home’s statement of purpose that it provides care for children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since February 2026.

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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 good

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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: 1256771 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/08/2025 Full Good 09/07/2024 Full Good 23/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1256771 3

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Summary of findings

The adults in this home create a stable, supportive environment in which children feel safe and cared for. They provide quality care, knowing each child well and understanding their individual needs and vulnerabilities. Although recent staff changes have affected the consistency of care and children’s opportunities to form strong relationships, the adults adopt a therapeutic approach to help children make positive progress and stay safe. The manager demonstrates a genuine commitment to the children, provides strong support to children and adults in the home, and maintains clear oversight. The manager reflects on practice and is committed to continuous improvement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their interests and identities, and photographs, books, games and other resources are found throughout the home, promoting a sense of belonging. Children are encouraged to contribute to and invest in the environment as their home. While some areas of the home are lived in and could benefit from minor improvements, this does not negatively affect children’s experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children have built trusting relationships with the adults who care for them. Adults listen to children, invest time in them and know them well. Both children have been supported in developing a sense of belonging. They have both lived in the home for over a year and are making positive progress in many aspects of their lives. Throughout the inspection, adults and children interacted in a caring, fun-filled manner.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults support children by promoting healthy lifestyles. They assist children in attending medical appointments and help them understand their health and emotional needs. For instance, one child goes to the gym weekly with adults, and has improved their diet. For another child in the home, the adults have explored various fun ways to encourage exercise and a balanced diet.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults understand the complexity of family relationships and how they can affect children. They spend time with children, listening to their memories and experiences of family life and providing sensitive, therapeutic responses. When it is safe and appropriate, adults work with children’s families to support them in maintaining and building positive relationships. Any concerns about the time children spend with their families are addressed effectively to safeguard children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults motivate children to attend school regularly, leading to improved attendance. During the inspection, one child went out to buy stationery for the new term and eagerly showed the inspector what they had purchased.

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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1256771 4 Adults have a good understanding of children’s lived experiences and how these experiences affect their emotional wellbeing and behaviour. They are alert to children’s individual vulnerabilities. They use this knowledge to inform their practice and to support children, for example through reflective direct conversations about their behaviour and associated risks.

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

Children’s peer relationships are carefully monitored, enabling adults to promote healthy boundaries between them. Adults take appropriate steps to minimise the risk of children encouraging each other to participate in unsafe behaviours.

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

Adults respond appropriately and with care when children have gone missing from the home. When incidents have occurred in the home, the team have engaged in reflective discussions about ways to improve practice and to mitigate further risks.

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

Adults regularly have conversations with children about what is important to them. These discussions are supportive, reflective and capture the child’s views and wishes. Adults also create opportunities to talk to children about challenging situations and help them to understand and manage their emotions safely.

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

The manager and adults understand the risks the internet may pose for children. There are strategies in place to keep children safe while supporting them to take age- appropriate risks and develop their independence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is relatively new to the role at the home and shows a strong commitment to creating a safe, welcoming family environment where children can grow and flourish. They are familiar with the children, maintain positive relationships and work diligently to provide personalised care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is sufficiently staffed and equipped to meet the children’s current needs. Adults are properly vetted and are enrolled on the relevant qualifications. However, staff shortages due to colleagues transferring within the organisation, as well as leave and sickness, have disrupted the consistency of care. This also impacts children’s capacity to establish strong relationships with adults, feel secure and help create a positive sense of stability at home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Following recent staffing changes, leaders and managers are cultivating a positive, cohesive culture. Adults feel valued, heard and supported, boosting morale and practice quality. Feedback from families and professionals about the manager is very positive. A family member who had been negative when talking about the local authority said the manager at Woodbury House ‘has been brilliant’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager proactively collaborates with other agencies and professionals. They aim to establish productive working relationships with parents, social workers and schools to promote positive outcomes for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 1256771 5 Inspection report for children’s home: 1256771 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, 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

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that adults work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient adults to provide care for each child.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that children benefit from a consistent adult team, ensuring continuity of care for children and allowing them to build strong, positive relationships with adults in the home, providing a sense of stability and belonging. 30 October 2026

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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: 1256771 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Learning & Care Holdings Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Support Hub, Unit 5, Chinon Court, Lower Moor Way, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6SS

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Inspector

Darren Wickens, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1256771 8 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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