Children's Home run by Homes 2 Inspire Limited in West NorthamptonshireOfsted inspection, 9 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children’s home: 2871273 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in December 2025 and is run by a private company that is owned and operated by a national charity. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. Another child previously lived at the home but has now moved out.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2871273 2

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Summary of findings

The home is led by a registered manager who demonstrates warmth and consideration towards the children in her care. Following a challenging period, staff say they feel well supported and enjoy their roles. There is a thoughtful and well-planned approach to welcoming children to the home, which helps them settle quickly and develop positive relationships. There is a strong focus on multi-agency working, which helps staff to develop a good understanding of children’s needs. Children’s diets require improvement, and the manager is taking steps to address this. The home is currently operating outside what is described in its statement of purpose, which needs addressing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There was a challenging period during which notice was given on one child’s placement. The placement ended because staff were unable to safely meet the child’s wellbeing and safety needs. The manager worked alongside the child’s social worker to support a safe move from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s care planning is highly individualised, and the manager proactively liaises with relevant agencies to review and update plans as required. Care planning is ambitious, with a strong focus on helping children develop skills, including independence skills, where appropriate. The manager advocates for children and demonstrates professional curiosity by providing effective challenge when she believes aspects of care planning may not be in children’s best interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming and inviting. The child’s bedroom is personalised, and their interest in basketball is reflected in the hoop attached to their en-suite door. The child makes good use of the home’s facilities, including a gym and sensory room. Both areas support the child’s specific care needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from positive relationships with staff. One child affectionately assigned family member roles to staff and would greet them by saying phrases such as ‘hello my sister’. Children value these relationships, which help them develop a sense of belonging, stability and emotional safety.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to have positive routines. This includes accessing education, enjoying activities and spending time with family members who are important to them. When appropriate, family members are welcomed into the home to spend time with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to take part in activities they enjoy, such as train rides, trips to water parks and the beach. Staff also help children to explore new places they would like to visit. This provides children with positive experiences and opportunities to develop their confidence. Inspection report for children’s home: 2871273 3 One child is not currently eating a well-balanced, healthy diet. Staff are working with the child to address this. Staff have not yet been able to support the child to make positive changes.

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

Complaints are taken seriously and are investigated by managers and leaders. Managers and leaders are transparent and liaise with relevant safeguarding agencies. Managers and leaders are reflective and share any learning they identify with the wider team.

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

Managers and leaders do not make decisions in isolation. They liaise effectively with relevant agencies and family members to make decisions based on the child’s best interests. Appropriate risk assessments are in place that consider relevant guidance and legislation where necessary.

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

Both children who have been cared for have had complex needs that have made them highly vulnerable. Staff received bespoke training from outside agencies to help develop their understanding of children’s risks and vulnerabilities.

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

Staff support children to express their views and have their voices heard. Children are supported to understand their emotions. They are learning how to communicate their likes and dislikes to staff.

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

Although going missing from home is not currently a risk, children have a Philomena protocol in place. Children are encouraged to carry important information with them, including a hospital and police passport where appropriate. These documents provide essential details about the child’s communication needs and any reasonable adjustments that may be required. This ensures that relevant information is readily available in the event of an emergency. This is a proactive approach and strengthens safeguarding arrangements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a manager who has a strong understanding of the complex needs of the children in her care. Professionals speak positively about the manager’s child-focused approach and the positive difference she has made to children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is approachable, supportive and reflective in her practice. She has high aspirations for children and ensures that the care they receive is individualised and responsive to their needs. The manager provides staff with effective guidance and support to ensure that children receive good care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensured that there was a period between one child moving out of the home and a new child moving in. This gave staff valuable time to meaningfully reflect and access support. The manager consulted staff about the support they needed and Inspection report for children’s home: 2871273 4 ensured that this was delivered. As a result, the staff team felt prepared when a new child came to live in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and leaders work extremely closely with appropriate agencies and family members to ensure that they understand children’s needs before they move in. Children’s transitions into the home have been well planned.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although the manager is a strong advocate for children, the child living at the home does not have an independent advocate. The manager has a plan in place to address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The provider is caring for children whose needs are not consistent with those described in the home’s statement of purpose. The home is registered to provide care for children with social and emotional difficulties; however, care is being provided for children who have learning disabilities as their primary need. The registered manager and responsible individual acknowledge this issue and have plans to apply for a variation to the home’s registration to ensure that it accurately reflects the needs of the children in their care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2871273 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

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16 (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager should only provide care for children whose needs are clearly identified in the home’s statement of purpose. 9 September 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children have access to appropriate advocacy support. Advocacy services should advise children and ensure that they are supported to express their views, wishes and feelings about the care they receive. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.16)  The registered person should ensure that children are supported to eat a varied and healthy diet that promotes their overall health and wellbeing. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.18)

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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: 2871273 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Black Country House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury B69 2DG

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Inspector

Becky Thompson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2871273 7 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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