Children's Home run by CF Support Services Limited in Essex

Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 1 Registered provider: CF Support Services 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

The home is privately operated and offers care for one child aged between 8 and 16 years who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The previous registered manager left in March 2026. The new manager was appointed in July 2026 and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: 13 January 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: 2792664 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/01/2026 Full Good 05/11/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 3

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Summary of findings

Since the last inspection, there has been a considerable amount of time without stable management. As a result, management oversight has been ineffective. This has impacted on the child's experiences and the quality of care provided at the home.

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Summary of findings

Some incidents that have occurred have lacked effective oversight. This has resulted in failings to identify and address staff practice quickly and ensure that children are safeguarded.

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Summary of findings

A new manager has since been recruited and is working to support the team and ensure that staff are equipped to manage the needs of children. However, there has not yet been enough time for the new manager to identify and embed the required improvements.

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improvement to be good

While staff have supported children to have positive experiences, management instability has impacted the day-to-day running and oversight of the home. Help and protection and leadership and management have therefore been judged as requires improvement. This has resulted in an overall judgement of requires improvement

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improvement to be good

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection. This child moved in during the inspection. Since the last inspection, one child has moved out. Both children have had positive experiences of moving in and out of the home. For the child who recently moved out, the staff celebrated their time living at the home with a holiday, gifts and a meal of the child's choice.

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improvement to be good

Children are encouraged to personalise areas of the home. For the child who has moved in, their bedroom has been decorated in line with their interests. This approach helps children to feel welcomed. The home is clean and presentable and emits a homely feel. The current fire risk assessment states that all fire doors are self-closing. However, fire doors in the home are not self-closing and are not kept closed. One child's bedroom door does not close. Lack of clarity about fire prevention arrangements and fire doors that do not close mean that the manager is not able to be assured, or demonstrate, that safe systems are in place to protect children and staff in the event of fire.

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improvement to be good

Children are supported to enjoy activities. They take part in different experiences, such as days out, theme parks and horse riding. This enables them to build positive memories and experience enjoyment.

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improvement to be good

Staff have advocated for the children's education. Despite reluctance to attend, the staff have encouraged children to go to school. The new manager has reflected on what Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 4 impacted children's willingness to engage with education and identified areas of learning and development.

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improvement to be good

Staff display insight around children's relationships. They complete effective 'peer mapping' to provide oversight of the friendships that children have, risks they face and the relevant contact details for friends. This ensures the staff team is informed and alert to new information.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, there have been no physical restraints. Staff are guided by behaviour management plans that identify how they can best support children and the risks they face. However, the staff have not always felt confident when dealing with difficult situations. On one occasion, staff locked themselves in a room and called police after a child became dysregulated and threatened them. This incident was not identified or followed up by the manager until highlighted by the independent visitor. Staff members had not been de-briefed, and the manager at the time had not reviewed the incident to explore concerns and how best to equip staff to manage such situations.

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improvement to be good

When room searches have been conducted, it is not clear whether staff have sought the manager's guidance. Nor is it evident that the manager has reviewed the search to ensure it was proportionate and appropriately completed.

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improvement to be good

There are no concerns in respect of the consequences for poor behaviour. However, the records of these lack the required detail, such as the effectiveness of the consequence, the duration for which they have been implemented, or evidence of manager oversight. Senior leaders have therefore not had an accurate picture of the care provided to children. There has been some improvement to the quality of recording since the new manager has been in post, but there has not been sufficient time to embed this.

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improvement to be good

Records do not always clearly demonstrate the actions that staff take to ensure children are kept safe when they go missing from home. On one occasion, it is not clear how the staff lost sight of the child. On another occasion when a child had been missing overnight, staff did not act as a caring parent would. The child was located outside of the local area the following morning, but staff refused to collect the child due to their lack of sleep. While leaders and managers said that they held discussions with staff about the expectations, these have not been documented.

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improvement to be good

Staff do not consistently respond appropriately to children in distress and have not fully understood their core safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Staff have sought medical advice when a child was believed to have misused substances and reported taking medication. However, staff monitoring of the child overnight did not increase when the child made threats to take their life and suicide notes were found. This incident was not identified by senior leaders until raised by the independent visitor. Once senior leaders were aware, they reflected on the shortfalls and completed discussions with the relevant staff. Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 5 No restrictive practices have been identified as recently taking place. However, there have been occasions since the last inspection when cupboards and doors have been locked with no clear rationale for the child's safety. This was not addressed by the

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improvement to be good

previous manager. Senior leaders have since addressed this shortfall once raised by the independent visitor. However, it is of concern that this practice was not addressed by the previous manager.

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improvement to be good

On one occasion when a child made a historical disclosure, this was shared with the child's placing authority and attempts were made to arrange for the child's social worker to visit. However, these attempts were unsuccessful and there is no evidence to suggest that leaders and managers had escalated this with the child's local authority. As a result, there was a missed opportunity for the child's views to be heard quickly.

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improvement to be good

Staff support children to reflect on their experiences. Staff have conversations with children that focus on areas of concern. This supports the children to develop understanding and skills to keep themselves safe.

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

The home has experienced management instability since the last inspection. The previous registered manager left in March 2026. Since this time, 2 managers have been appointed but left before registering with Ofsted. In July 2026, a new manager was appointed and they have applied to register with Ofsted. In September 2026, Ofsted received notification of a change to the responsible individual. This management instability has impacted the level of oversight and care provided at the home. Consequently, a number of shortfalls have been found at this inspection.

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

Previous managers have not consistently managed internal investigations well. When concerns arose around staff practice, they did not take immediate action to safeguard children and remove the member of staff from caring for children. Senior leaders, once aware, took appropriate action. However, it is of concern that the delay potentially placed a child at risk.

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

Suitable safer recruitment procedures are generally in place. However, on one occasion, there was a lack of professional curiosity and suitable response shown. Despite checks indicating that a staff member had been dismissed from a previous role, there is little written evidence of increased monitoring and suitability assessment. For another member of staff, there is no evidence that their original Disclosure and Barring Service has been seen. These gaps in recruitment checks undermine the manager's ability to ensure that staff are suitable to work with vulnerable children.

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

On several occasions, managers have failed to send safeguarding notifications to Ofsted within the required timescales. The review of the quality of care report highlights the current strengths and challenges faced by leaders and managers. However, the last 2 reports were submitted late to Ofsted. These late submissions of required information potentially undermine Ofsted's ability to monitor the service effectively. Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 6 Professional feedback questionaries have been developed by leaders and managers to seek feedback from the wider network. While feedback obtained is generally positive, one professional noted the impact of the turnover of managers and changes in leadership, highlighting a lack of continuity and consistency in leadership oversight. This has potentially impacted on the provider's ability to work closely with partner professionals and the children's overall experiences.

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

The staff highlight an overall positive experience of working for the company. However, staff spoke of the impact that unstable management has had on the team, particularly for those who were new to the role and required guidance from managers.

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

Staff have obtained or are working towards the required, relevant qualification in the expected timeframe.

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

The new manager has quickly started to take action to move the service forward. For example, they have completed a review of care for a child who recently moved out. The report captures areas of progress, challenge and learning for future children who move in. Similarly, they have devised a home development plan, which provides a clear plan to work towards with continuous oversight on areas of need. While the new manager has started drive to improvement, they are new in post and have yet to have the opportunity to embed these plans. Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 7

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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 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

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

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)(iii)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that a chronology of events when children go missing from home are recorded accurately and contain relevant information, and children are sufficiently monitored when concerns arise around mental health and/or substance misuse. 5 October 2026

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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

promotes their welfare. 30 October 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 8 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 have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of 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. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(a)(c)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that leaders and managers provide sufficient oversight of day-to-day activities in the home, such as room searches.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers should take immediate and appropriate action when concerns arise about staff practice that could increase the risk of harm to children.

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Requirement Due date

Staff should be equipped to carry out their duties and that clear expectations of them are in place to meet the needs of children.

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Requirement Due date

Staff should be skilled to meet the needs of children and behaviours they may present with.

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Requirement Due date

There should be stability of management to provide effective oversight of the home, and continuity of staff to care for the children.

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (a) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b)) 30 September 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety. 30 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 9 The registered person may only—

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children's home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 30 September 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— 30 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 10 supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they work in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support to communicate their views, wishes and feelings. Leaders and managers should advocate to ensure that children have the opportunity to share their experiences when information of concern is shared. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 22, paragraph 4.6)  The registered person should ensure that, just as in a family home, children are able to access all areas of their home unless there are specific reasons why this would not meet a child's needs. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.10)  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

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Recommendations

recording. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2792664 11

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Children's home details

Registered provider: CF Support Services Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Three Rivers Business Centre, Unit 11 Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP10 0BF

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Inspector

Sophie Levy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2792664 12 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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