Children's Home run by Break Charity in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children's home: SC439153 1 SC439153 Registered provider:

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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 run by a large national children’s charity and provides care for up to 4 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2023.

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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

Date of last inspection: 11 November 2025

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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: SC439153 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/11/2025 Full Good 05/11/2024 Full Good 31/10/2023 Full Good 06/07/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC439153 3

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Summary of findings

Children have made positive progress since they moved to the home. They have developed trusting relationships with the staff, who know them well and provide them with personalised care. Staff are strong advocates for the children. They ensure that the children’s voices are heard and that they feel valued, listened to and supported to achieve positive outcomes.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have a good understanding of the strengths of the home and the risks facing children. However, on occasion, leaders and managers have not ensured clear management arrangements in the absence of the manager or notified Ofsted of a significant incident in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home. This move was suitably planned. One child spoke with the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have developed trusting and positive relationships with children. The children are cared for by staff who know them well and who consistently demonstrate care and nurture. There is a relaxed and positive rapport between staff and children, characterised by warmth, mutual respect and affection. These relationships provide the children with a strong sense of security and belonging and have contributed to the positive progress they are making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides an environment that reflects the individuality and preferences of the children living there. Staff actively support the children to develop the skills to improve and maintain their personal space. This helps children develop a sense of ownership, responsibility and comfort in their bedrooms and communal areas. The photos of children displayed around the house give the home a family feel, which gives children a sense of belonging and that they are valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Although children’s education attendance remains variable, staff recognise the importance of education and keep children’s best interests at the centre of their practice. They demonstrate persistence and creativity when responding to educational challenges and work closely with relevant professionals to ensure that the children receive support tailored to their individual needs. As a result, the children are able to access education in ways that encourage their engagement and support their progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff carefully consider opportunities for children to pursue their hobbies and interests. As a result, the children enjoy a wide range of activities, including go-karting, swimming and community outings. These experiences help children develop confidence, build positive relationships and enjoy new opportunities. Inspection report for children's home: SC439153 4 External professionals are positive about the care and support provided to children. They highlight the home’s strong partnership working and acknowledge that, while progress may sometimes appear slow, children are making meaningful progress through small but significant steps. Professionals attribute this progress to the consistent, nurturing care and support provided by staff.

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

Significant incidents are generally managed well. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of children’s individual risks and take appropriate action to safeguard them when concerns arise. Staff responses and risk management strategies are having a positive impact on children’s safety. Consequently, the frequency of significant incidents is reducing.

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

When children experience difficulties with their emotions, staff take effective action to promote their safety and wellbeing. Staff respond calmly and proportionately, following children’s plans and agreed strategies to reduce risks. Staff use restorative approaches and natural consequences to help children understand the impact of their actions and develop positive behaviours. Following incidents, staff engage the children in reflective conversations that encourage learning and help children to feel reassured. These discussions also support staff to reflect on their practice and strengthen their confidence in managing challenging situations. As result of this approach, physical intervention has not been used since the last inspection.

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

Children’s behaviour is managed fairly and consistently through restorative and relationship-based approaches. Consequences are proportionate and clearly linked to children’s actions, while positive choices and achievements are recognised and celebrated. Children benefit from reward systems that encourage engagement and reinforce positive behaviour. This balanced and nurturing approach helps children learn from their experiences, make safer decisions and develop positive daily routines in a supportive home environment.

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

When children go missing from home, staff follow agreed procedures and try to locate them to ensure their safe return. Staff provide a warm and supportive response when children come home. This helps children to feel valued and supported following potentially vulnerable situations.

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

Managers maintain effective safer recruitment processes. The home does not use agency staff; however, staff from sister homes occasionally provide support when required. Managers ensure that appropriate suitability and safeguarding checks are completed before these staff work at the home. This helps to safeguard children and promotes safe staffing arrangements. Inspection report for children's home: SC439153 5 Leaders and managers respond promptly to concerns about staff practice. Appropriate safeguarding action is taken when necessary, and managers ensure that children’s welfare remains central throughout investigations. Learning from incidents is used effectively to improve practice, strengthen staff responses and reduce future risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a qualified and experienced manager who knows the children well. They have a strong understanding of the children’s individual needs, vulnerabilities and risks. The manager is committed to improving children’s experiences and creating opportunities for them to succeed. For example, they have supported the children in fundraising activities, raising money that children can use towards activities and experiences that interest them. This helps children develop a sense of achievement, involvement and pride, while enabling them to access opportunities that enrich their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the support they receive from leaders and managers, describing them as approachable, accessible and supportive. Leaders and managers place a strong emphasis on staff development. Staff have access to learning opportunities tailored to the emerging and individual needs of children. This commitment to learning is reinforced through regular team meetings, which are attended by the home’s therapist. These meetings provide staff with opportunities to share experiences, discuss challenges and reflect on practice. As a result, staff benefit from a culture of learning and continuous improvement that helps to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and confidence required to provide effective, responsive and child-centred care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Communication across the organisation is generally effective. Most external professionals spoke highly of the leadership in the home and said that the manager works effectively in partnership with other agencies. One professional described having an excellent working relationship with the manager and highlighted their proactive approach to advocating for children. However, one professional raised a concern about communication arrangements when the manager is absent. They reported that handovers and follow-up actions were not always implemented with the same level of consistency as when the manager is present. Although this has not had a significant impact on children’s day-to-day care, it highlights the need for greater consistency in management oversight and communication during periods of the manager’s absence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers make effective use of a range of monitoring and quality assurance systems to maintain oversight of practice. Incidents are regularly reviewed to identify patterns and trends, enabling the manager to adapt practice in response to children’s changing needs and promote positive outcomes. However, on one occasion, leaders and managers failed to notify Ofsted of a serious incident. Failure to notify Ofsted reduces the regulator’s ability to monitor safeguards at the home effectively. Inspection report for children's home: SC439153 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

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

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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)(e)) 31 October 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that there are clear arrangements in place to maintain effective management when the manager is absent, off duty or on leave. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)  The registered person should ensure that records are written in a non-judgemental and respectful manner, using language that is appropriate and sensitive to the child’s experiences and needs. Staff should consider that children may access and read their records and ensure that entries are written in a way that is helpful and supportive and promotes the child’s understanding of their experiences. (‘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: SC439153 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: BREAK Schofield House, 1 Spar Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR6 6BX

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Inspector

Tam Musvaire, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC439153 8 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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