Children's Home run by Elmdale Care Ltd in Nottingham

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 1 Registered provider: Elmdale Care 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 privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

There has been no registered manager since July 2026.

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Information about this children's home

There were 2 children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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'. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment is child friendly, warm and welcoming. Communal areas in the home have improved since the last inspection. This includes the garden area. However, children need support from staff to develop skills in keeping their bedrooms clean and tidy.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have mixed views about their relationships with staff. One child feels well supported by staff and said, 'staff are amazing'. Another child has withdrawn from speaking with staff and professionals. Their views are unknown. Regular meetings are held between staff from the home and professionals working with the child. These explore the services available to support the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff use different forms of communication led by the needs of children. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication. Various communication tools and resources are available around the home to support children to share their wishes and feelings. Despite these different approaches, staff have not yet developed an effective way to support one child in sharing their wishes and feelings.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has moved into the home during this inspection period. Managers and staff consider the needs of children already living in the home. However, staff do not explore the views of the professionals or the child who is already living in the home. Managers do not ensure that they have all relevant information about a child's experiences, prior to moving in.

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Findings from the inspection

Children's individual risk assessments are clear and detailed. They guide staff with how best to support children when they may be struggling with their emotions. Staff regularly update risk assessments.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive a range of online training and have access to external training, supporting staff development. Some staff have not accessed training specific to the provider's preferred model of care or the specific needs of children.

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Findings from the inspection

An independent visitor regularly reviews the home. However, the independent visitor does not always seek the views of professionals, family members or people who are important to children.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders do not consistently monitor and review the quality of care provided to children. Overall, records are detailed and help to understand what has been happening for children and how staff provide support. However, management oversight of records is inconsistent. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 3 Staff feel well supported by managers and colleagues. Staff receive regular supervision and managers encourage staff to reflect on their practice. When staff raise an area of development for the team, this is not always progressed by managers.

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Findings from the inspection

Although areas for improvement remain, the provider has made progress in addressing the primary concerns following the full inspection in June 2026. Two requirements set at the last inspection are met. Two new requirements have been set. The other requirements will be restated. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/06/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 5

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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

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

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

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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that there is a system in place to ensure that records of incidents are clear, detailed and demonstrate management oversight, reflection and learning and that risk management plans are consistent and clearly communicated to staff.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated. 9 November 2026

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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. 9 November 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 6 In particular, the standard requires the registered person to ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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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)(iv)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that all risk assessments and home care plans identify known and potential risks for each child, and that staff are skilled and confident in challenging and dealing with inappropriate and risky behaviour. The registered person should ensure that adjustments are made to staff behaviours and actions to meet children's sensory needs.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure the effectiveness and any consequences of a restraint measure are considered, reviewed and implemented.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated. 9 November 2026

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 9 November 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 7 that arrangements are in place to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that, subject to regulation 22 (contact and access to communications), contact between each child and the child's parents, relatives and friends, is promoted in accordance with the child's relevant plans. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(b)(i)(ii)(d))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all relevant information about a child's needs is provided by a placing authority.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must also ensure that the needs of other children living in the home are thoroughly considered and views from other professionals are sought.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

strive to gain each child's respect and trust. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(viii))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should support staff to creatively work with children to build their trust and develop positive relationships.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was set at the last inspection and is restated. 9 November 2026

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person— 9 November 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 8 if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)) 17 October 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the children's home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. ('Guide to Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home's policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child, ensuring that information is correct and up to date. ('Guide to Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.6) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 9

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 190 Coleman Road, Leicester LE5 4LE

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Inspector

Kathryn Hurley, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2863355 10 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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