Children's Home run by Gloucestershire County Council in Gloucestershire

Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 1 Registered provider: Gloucestershire County Council

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides care for up to 4 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since April 2026 and holds the appropriate qualifications for the role.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home and spent time speaking with the inspector. One other child has stayed at the home for a short period following an emergency admission before moving to a more suitable placement.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

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.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 2

p.1

Summary of findings

Children are making some progress, particularly in relation to reducing incidents where they are missing from the care of staff, and they feel safe living in the home. However, experiences are not consistently positive. Children’s emotional wellbeing is not always promoted effectively, and identified therapeutic support is not always progressed with sufficient urgency. A significant number of restrictions are in place, some of which are not clearly supported by current assessments or regularly reviewed. Safeguarding practice and responses to vaping are not consistently effective. The manager is committed to improving outcomes for children and is reflective in their approach. However, managers’ oversight has not ensured that practice is consistent, resulting in children not always receiving good-quality care and support.

p.2

improvement to be good

Children have aspirations for their future, including attending college, gaining employment and developing their skills for adulthood. However, children are not consistently receiving the support they need to achieve these goals, prepare for adulthood and maximise their future opportunities. For example, there has been limited progress in helping children to obtain identification documents, access banking facilities and develop practical skills.

p.2

improvement to be good

Children’s emotional wellbeing is not always promoted effectively. Therapeutic support has been identified as necessary to support children, but managers and staff have not consistently followed up referrals or challenged delays to ensure that this support is provided in a timely way.

p.2

improvement to be good

Children live in a spacious and well-maintained home. However, not all aspects of the home contribute to a warm, homely and child-centred environment. Features such as numbered bedroom doors, prominent signage and locked storage areas detract from a family-like atmosphere. In addition, the garden is poorly maintained, which limits the opportunities for children to enjoy the outdoor space. Consequently, the environment does not consistently promote children’s sense of belonging, independence and experiences similar to family life.

p.2

improvement to be good

The child said that they feel safe living in the home. However, they do not always feel listened to and described feeling frustrated by some of the restrictions placed on them. Managers work closely with the child’s parent and maintain regular communication. However, it is not always clear how the child’s wishes and feelings are considered alongside parental views when decisions are made. As a result, the child is not consistently supported to influence matters that are important to them. Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 3 Leaders and managers review plans to support the child’s independence when expectations are no longer realistic or reflective of their needs and circumstances. This helps to ensure that targets remain achievable and tailored to individual needs.

p.2

improvement to be good

The child has a significant number of restrictions imposed on them, including limits on community access, monitoring of communications and restrictions in the home. Some of these measures are not clearly supported by current risk assessments and there is insufficient evidence that their impact has been reviewed. Restrictions such as locked doors, limited access to everyday household items and the removal of kitchen knives, despite there being no identified risk, do not appear proportionate to the child’s current needs. This results in the child experiencing unnecessary restrictions in their day-to-day life.

p.3

improvement to be good

Safeguarding practice is not consistently effective. For example, when an allegation was made, staff took appropriate action to safeguard the child and reduce the immediate concerns, but their response did not fully reflect the safeguarding procedures that are in place. There was a delay in notifying the designated officer, and fact-finding enquiries were undertaken before these external discussions and advice were sought. This delayed external scrutiny, highlighted gaps in managers’ understanding and implementation of safeguarding procedures and reduced timely and objective decision-making.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff practice in relation to vaping is inconsistent. Staff are expected to remove vapes when they are found. However, this approach has not been applied consistently. In addition, the use of a pocket money restriction is not proportionate to this behaviour and has not been effective in reducing incidents. This inconsistency is a missed opportunity to reinforce good health choices.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff do not always use effective de-escalation strategies when the child is distressed. At times, staff responses and language can escalate situations rather than help calm them. As a result, interactions are not consistently in line with the expectations of the practice approach in the home and can contribute to increased emotional distress.

p.3

improvement to be good

The child is encouraged to share views through key-work sessions, weekly meetings and informal discussions. Staff regularly discuss topics relevant to the child’s safety and wellbeing, including the times when the child is missing from the home, vaping and online safety. However, it is not always clear how this work influences practice or results in meaningful change for the child. As a result, opportunities for the child to influence decisions affecting their care and support are not always maximised.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff responded appropriately when a child was admitted to the home in an emergency. They worked effectively with partner agencies, addressed immediate safeguarding concerns and supported a planned move to a more suitable placement well. This helped to provide stability for that child during a period of uncertainty. Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 4

p.3

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

The manager is passionate about improving outcomes for children and knows the child well. They advocate for them and are prepared to challenge external agencies when they feel decisions are not in the child’s best interests. However, the manager’s oversight is not always thorough. Guidance available to staff is not always clear or sufficiently detailed, and managers have not ensured that plans, expectations and restrictions are consistently implemented or regularly reviewed. As a result, improvements have not always been implemented with sufficient pace or rigour. This has limited progress in some areas of the child’s care and not driven sustained practice improvement.

p.4

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

Managers have not consistently identified and addressed aspects of practice that do not reflect a child-centred and therapeutic approach in line with their statement of purpose. Some practice issues have persisted and so opportunities to improve the child’s day-to- day experiences have been missed.

p.4

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

The manager has taken a significant role in coordinating support for the child. However, when barriers to progress have arisen, it is not clear that effective escalation to other professionals has ensured timely action from them. Consequently, some plans have progressed more slowly than intended, reducing opportunities to achieve positive outcomes.

p.4

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

Parents and professionals recognise the progress the child has made, particularly in relation to reducing incidents where the child has been missing from the care of staff. They appreciate being kept updated regularly and the commitment of managers and staff to the child. Parents in particular value the communication from staff so they feel involved in their child’s life. However, one professional raised concerns about the consistency of support the child has and whether some restrictions remain necessary and proportionate.

p.4

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

The manager is reflective and committed to improving practice. Staff regularly attend supervision and team meetings, and reflective practice sessions give staff opportunities to consider incidents and discuss children’s needs. This supports staff learning and professional development. However, this has not yet ensured improvements across all areas of practice. Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.5

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.5

Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

p.5

Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

p.5

Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child; and 30 October 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 6 enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(ix)(c)(i)(ii))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children are provided with a nurturing, homely and child-centred environment that promotes their welfare and experiences similar to a normal family life. This includes ensuring that restrictions in the home and community are necessary, proportionate and regularly reviewed, and that the rationale for these arrangements is clear. The registered person must also ensure that the home environment, including outdoor spaces, is maintained to a good standard and supports children’s sense of belonging, participation and wellbeing.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

p.6

Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(viii)(ix)(xi))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that when communicating with children, staff consistently use approaches that are in line with the ethos of the home and the home’s statement of purpose. Staff should ensure that their language 30 October 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 7 helps children feel understood and supported, particularly when they are distressed, and they should respond in ways that de- escalate situations and promote positive relationships.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.7

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v))

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that risk assessments are sufficiently detailed and provide clear guidance for staff to protect children from harm. Where restrictions are implemented, the rationale for these arrangements must be clearly recorded, regularly reviewed and consideration given to the cumulative impact of restrictions on children’s welfare and day-to-day experiences.

p.7

Requirement Due date

Also, the registered person must ensure that staff respond consistently to known risks, including vaping, and implement agreed strategies to safeguard children’s health and wellbeing.

p.7

Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered person must ensure that safeguarding procedures are understood and followed by all staff and managers. In particular, the registered person must ensure that allegations are referred to the local authority designated officer in line with safeguarding procedures and without delay. 30 October 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 8 The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.8

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;

p.8

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.8

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.8

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)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children receive timely support to meet their identified needs and achieve their plans and aspirations. This includes supporting children to access education and therapeutic services and preparing them for adulthood and employment opportunities. The registered person 30 October 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 9 must ensure that care plans, behaviour support plans, risk assessments and key-work records provide clear guidance for staff and are regularly reviewed. They must ensure that they have effective oversight of the documents that support staff practice. In addition, the registered person must ensure robust management oversight so that delays by partner agencies are appropriately challenged and escalated to reduce the impact on children’s care, progress and outcomes.

p.8

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: 2872054 10

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Gloucestershire County Council

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2TP

p.10

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Isabel da Costa Santos

p.10

Inspector

Karen Hallam, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2872054 11 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.

p.10

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.11

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.11

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.11