Children's Home run by Hennessy Living Group Limited in Newcastle upon Tyne

Inspection report for children’s home: 1216505 1 Registered provider: Hennessy Living Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the times of the inspection, 4 children were living in the home. The inspector spoke to 3 of the children and observed the other child.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

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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

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: 1216505 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/10/2025 Full Good 21/01/2025 Full Outstanding 26/06/2023 Full Good 16/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1216505 3

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Summary of findings

Children’s day-to-day experiences are compromised by weaknesses in management decision-making and oversight. This leads to children not always being respected, or supported to participate fully in their care. Risks are not consistently recognised or managed effectively. However, children experience some positive relationships with staff and make progress from their individual starting points.

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improvement to be good

Not all children have unrestricted access to their home, and privacy risks are not well managed. One child’s movement is restricted by baby gates, and they must ask staff to access several areas of their own home. This measure has been in place for many months without any review to ensure it remains necessary and proportionate. In addition, the office door is not always locked when it is not being used, allowing children potential access to sensitive information and staff belongings.

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improvement to be good

Not all children are supported to participate in all aspects of their care. Staff have developed their own pictures and communication cards that reflect those that are used in one child’s education. These aids are displayed throughout the home in key areas where the child uses them and on a lanyard for staff to carry with them. However, these aids are not used consistently to ensure the child is always able to communicate their wishes and feelings. This inconsistent approach does not fully support the child to develop their communication and actively participate in how they are cared for.

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improvement to be good

While some areas of the home environment are well maintained, there are others that need attention. One child’s bedroom does not have blinds or curtains, their en-suite shower is broken, and there are graffiti and dirty marks on the bedroom walls. External areas are also poorly maintained, with weeds growing through paving and split rubbish bags on the ground.

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improvement to be good

Children’s health needs are well met. They attend routine health appointments and access mental health support, including the crisis team and the home’s in-house psychologist. Staff have helped one child re-establish structure and routine, providing stability for them to have the necessary assessments. As a result, the child received a diagnosis that has improved professionals’ understanding of their needs, informed care planning and supported the search for a placement better suited to their needs.

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improvement to be good

Children make progress in education. Most children attend formal education and are making progress from their starting points and enjoying their learning. When children have been out of school for some time, the manager and staff work with schools and the local authority to arrange home tutoring and introduce hybrid timetables that lead to full- Inspection report for children’s home: 1216505 4 time school attendance. One professional said ‘[Name of child] is thriving due to the structure and emotional stability the staff are providing.’

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improvement to be good

Children are supported to maintain important family relationships. Staff coordinate plans for children to see their siblings with multiple carers to ensure arrangements proceed as planned. They work closely with parents and local authorities to facilitate family time in community settings, and they provide practical support, including travel arrangements for visits with extended family members. This helps children maintain meaningful family connections and enjoy positive experiences with those important to them.

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improvement to be good

The measures in place to protect children and staff in an emergency are not sufficient. Firefighting equipment has been removed from its designated locations and stored behind an office door, with staff unaware of its location. There has been no communication to staff about these changes, the procedures to follow in an emergency or any updates to the fire risk assessment. As a result, staff may not be able to respond effectively in an emergency, increasing the risk of harm to children and staff.

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improvement to be good

The management of allegations is inconsistent. Senior leaders did not refer the behaviour of a manager in line with local authority designated officer (LADO) reporting procedures. The decision was taken to complete an internal investigation and not refer it to the LADO or the child’s placing authority.

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improvement to be good

The allegation management policy does not reflect the risks present in the home. There are a number of relationships in the home that could cause a conflict of interest. The allegation management policy and communication to the staff team do not provide the appropriate information and direction that staff need to reduce risks if an allegation occurs. This does not provide assurances that allegations are managed appropriately and effectively.

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improvement to be good

Staff take time to talk to children about their feelings. Children are taught to understand their emotions and how to manage difficult feelings. Staff speak to children about peer relationships, how to recognise their own behaviour and how this impacts other people. Children also explore their own warning signs and how to manage these and maintain friendships. As a result, incidents between children have reduced over time.

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improvement to be good

Staff respond proactively when children go missing from home, prioritising their safety and wellbeing while working effectively with partner agencies. Staff maintain positive relationships with children through the use of humour and supportive engagement, even when children present unwanted behaviour. Following incidents, staff complete reflective work, restorative discussions and key-work sessions to help children understand risks, rebuild relationships and reduce the likelihood of future incidents. Inspection report for children’s home: 1216505 5

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

Leaders and managers do not promote an inclusive culture that upholds children’s dignity. A manager shared a discriminatory message about a child with other staff. Although a staff member challenged the appropriateness of the message, the concern was not escalated to senior leaders for consideration. As a result, there is insufficient assurance that discriminatory practice is recognised, challenged and addressed appropriately.

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

Investigations into concerns about staff practice lack sufficient scrutiny. Evidence gathered during investigations is not always properly considered, resulting in proposed outcomes that do not fully reflect the findings. Consequently, investigations are not always conducted objectively and with the necessary transparency and oversight.

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

Staff receive regular and effective supervision of their practice. Managers use reflective discussions about staff roles and responsibilities, while ensuring that children, their experiences and the progress of their plans remain central to conversations. Staff have opportunities to discuss their wellbeing, share any concerns and reflect on how they are managing both personally and professionally. They receive consistent support to develop their practice, and they describe their managers as approachable and always available when guidance or advice is needed.

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

Staff receive training to help them understand and respond effectively to the individual needs of children living in the home. When a new child moves in, or when a child’s needs change, the manager arranges additional training to ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills required to provide appropriate support. Staff also work alongside psychologists and other professionals to develop a deeper understanding of children’s experiences and emotional needs.

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

Managers hold regular team meetings that are effective in ensuring that staff receive timely information, guidance and opportunities for professional learning. Agendas and training topics are relevant to children’s individual needs and emerging issues in the home. Staff actively contribute to discussions, demonstrating appropriate challenge and reflection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1216505 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 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

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

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; and

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)(vii)(e)) 20 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)) 20 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. 20 October 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 1216505 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) 20 October 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should work in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support (appropriate to their age and understanding) to communicate their views, wishes and feelings and participate as fully as possible in all aspects of their care planning and daily care. This may include the use of and support to use communication aids, equipment and/or any necessary language support. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.2)  The registered person should ensure that the children’s home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children’s home: 1216505 8

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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: 1216505 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hennessy Living Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rickleton 1B, Bowes Offices, Lambton Park, Chester Le Street DH3 4AN

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Inspector

Lee Riley, Social Care Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home: 1216505 10 and inspects 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 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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