Children's Home run by PSS Care Group Limited in EssexOfsted inspection, 23 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 1

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Information about this children's home

This home opened in January 2020 and provides care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. It is run by a private organisation.

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Information about this children's home

There are currently 3 children living at the home.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2025.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken following a number of safeguarding notifications of concern received by Ofsted. Ofsted have also received 2 complaints about the suitability of care provided by the company. The registered manager was not at the home at the time of the inspection and interim management arrangements are in place.

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This monitoring visit

Significant shortfalls in the help and protection of children and in management oversight have negatively impacted the quality of care and support provided to children. Leaders and managers have failed to consistently meet the needs of children and effectively manage behaviour. As a result, the level of risk to children has significantly increased. Leaders and managers have not implemented effective systems to monitor online safety. Subsequently, children have been placed at risk.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have failed to consistently manage relationships between children. Consequently, sexual relationships have developed between children, and they have engaged in behaviours that increase their vulnerability. Since the last inspection, there has been a significant increase in children going missing together. When concerns were identified about the development of a sexual relationship between children, suitable action was not taken quickly. As a result, the children were left at risk of harm. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 2 The manager identified an increase in self-harm for one child. However, there is little evidence of what action has been taken to support the child. Similarly, there is a lack of evidence that action has been consistently taken to support children’s mental health when concerns are reported.

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This monitoring visit

During the visit children were misusing substances outside of the property. Leaders and managers failed to manage the situation appropriately when it became evident children had brought illegal substances into the home. This lack of action does not help to keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

The quality of the home has deteriorated since the last inspection and some areas require attention. The poor-quality upstairs carpet identified at the previous 2 inspections remains. There were blood splatters relating to self-harm in one child’s bedroom that had not been cleaned for a significant time. Furthermore, the garden is unmaintained and there were a large number of cigarettes and vapes in external areas. This does not present a well-cared for homely environment for children. For one child that is currently staying away from the home, concerns have been raised about the suitability of the accommodation. Leaders and managers confirmed the issues were immediately addressed, but the suitability of the accommodation is yet to be assessed by the child’s social worker.

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This monitoring visit

Hazardous items were stored in the staff sleep in room. This was locked but does indicate that staff are not making use of the locked hazardous substances storage provided.

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This monitoring visit

One child’s social worker said that decisions about the child and their access to items that pose potential contextual risks had been made without their agreement. This has increased the risks the child faces and does not support effective care planning.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers oversight of incidents is inconsistent. Incidents for children are not always reviewed and responded to effectively. Shortfalls in staff practice have been identified on some occasions. However, there is lack of evidence that appropriate action has consistently been taken to address these shortfalls. This has increased the risk of children experiencing harm and limits opportunities for staff development.

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This monitoring visit

The 2 previous inspections highlighted the quality-of-care report was submitted to Ofsted late. The latest report has not been completed despite being overdue. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/08/2026 Full Good 30/09/2025 Full Good 15/01/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 4

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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, 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 with 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

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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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

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

In particular; ensure that staff are suitably deployed and provide sufficient supervision of children ensure that there is a full documented 8 November 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 5 account of any allegations made by children or whistle blowing concerns raised by staff.

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Requirement Due date

ensure appropriate risk-reduction measures relating to online safety are implemented.

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Requirement Due date

must work effectively with other professionals to ensure children are protected from identified and emerging risks.

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Requirement Due date

develop and implement a clear procedure for responding to concerns that a child may have taken an overdose.

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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

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

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;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that action is taken to manage disclosures that are shared.

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Requirement Due date

ensure effective monitoring systems are in place and implemented ensure effective oversight of the home.

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Requirement Due date

ensure any shortfalls in staff practice and these are addressed with staff. 8 November 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 6 *The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child's behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child's age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

Regulation (11) (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vi)

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Requirement Due date

ensure clear protocols are in place for staff to follow when children go missing.

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Requirement Due date

ensure staff are vigilant to substance misuse by children and take effective action when this is identified 8 November 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 7 ensure risks associated with peer relationships are managed to reduce the risk of harm

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Requirement Due date

support children to learn about healthy relationships

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Requirement Due date

ensure children’s support needs are identified and actioned when concerns arise around children’s mental health and/or self-harming behaviours

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Requirement Due date

work with the wider network to share information and support children to access appropriate wellbeing services.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that clear boundaries are in place which staff support children to adhere to

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Requirement Due date

ensure sufficient assessment of risk has taken place so staff can manage relationships safely.

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Requirement Due date

ensure staff support children to recognise behaviours that place them at risk and strategies to reduce this

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Requirement Due date

ensure action is taken when concerns arise around peer interactions to prevent development of risk and/or sexual relationships

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that hazardous items are stored securely in designated COSHH areas, 2 November 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 8 ensure damages in the home are repaired and external areas are well maintained,

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Requirement Due date

ensure cigarettes and vapes are not accessible in external areas,

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Requirement Due date

ensure the house is kept clean and a suitable standard of hygiene is maintained

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Requirement Due date

ensure provisions identified for children to stay in are of a suitable standard.

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Requirement Due date

This was stated at the last inspection 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

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; and

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Requirement Due date

Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a) 22 October 2026

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject of a compliance notice.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure they lead and manage a team which provides high-quality care for all children living in the home. When shortfalls are identified in staff practice, de-briefs should evidence that all aspects of concern have been discussed. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 52, paragraph 10.4) Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 9

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 10

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Pss Care Group Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 2 Laser Quay, Culpeper close, Rochester, Kent ME2 4HU

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Inspector

Sophie Levy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2571480 11 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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