Children's Home run by Solace for Children Limited in WorcestershireOfsted inspection, 16 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children’s home: 2651823 1 Registered provider: Solace for Children Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a small private company. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties because of their childhood experiences. Four children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager was not present at the time of this inspection. The responsible individual is overseeing the management of the home in the absence of the 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: a monitoring visit was completed on 23 June 2026 to evaluate the actions taken by leaders to meet 2 compliance notices that were issued following the home’s last full inspection on 19 and 20 May. Both compliance notices were met at this monitoring visit. Inspection report for children’s home: 2651823 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/05/2026 Full Inadequate 20/05/2025 Full Good 18/06/2024 Full Good 07/06/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2651823 3

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Summary of findings

In the absence of the registered manager, the responsible individual has increased their oversight of the home. The responsible individual and senior members of staff have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining progress that was identified in the most recent monitoring visit. The leadership team has strengthened its monitoring and review systems, leading to sustained improvements in practice.

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Summary of findings

Children are safeguarded effectively and are making good progress across all areas of their development. Improvements have been identified in the quality of support provided to the staffing team to ensure that staff have the necessary skills to support children to reach their full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s home provides a well-maintained and welcoming environment that is personalised to reflect each child’s individual interests and hobbies. Developments in the effectiveness of monitoring and review systems implemented by the leadership team provide clear oversight and have contributed to sustained consistency in the maintenance and safety of the home. As a result, children experience a safe and nurturing environment that promotes their sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in their education. Each child has clear and personalised education targets that provide staff with guidance on how to support children to achieve their individual goals and aspirations. Where barriers to education are identified, staff and leaders respond proactively and regularly review the strategies in place to support children to re-engage with their learning. Staff reinforce the importance of education in a positive and encouraging way, helping children to recognise the value of learning. As a result, children develop the skills, confidence and motivation they need to achieve their educational goals. Children have education targets that set clear guidance to staff of how they can support children to achieve their individual goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are appropriately monitored and responded to by staff and leaders. When new or emerging health needs are identified, prompt action is taken to ensure that children receive appropriate advice and support from specialist services. As a result, children experience suitable guidance and support, promoting their physical and emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have access to a wide range of social activities that support their development. They are encouraged to participate in after-school clubs and activities that reflect their individual interests and hobbies. Staff support children to maintain positive relationships and develop friendships with their peers, providing opportunities for children to build their confidence and strengthen their social skills. Inspection report for children’s home: 2651823 4 Feedback from external agencies and important people in children’s lives has been largely positive and reflects that children are receiving appropriate care and support. However, this feedback has highlighted some missed opportunities where communication between the home and external agencies has not been sufficiently consistent. This has, at times, resulted in children not being fully prepared for their daily activities and delays in relevant information being shared promptly, to ensure that

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

professionals supporting children outside of the home are aware of all factors that may affect children’s engagement. Leaders have responded positively to this feedback and have taken the necessary steps to strengthen communication.

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

Children’s risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect children’s current and emerging risks and vulnerabilities. Assessments provide staff with clear guidance about the strategies to manage identified risks and keep children safe from harm. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of these strategies. This approach enables children to feel safe and secure.

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

There is evidence of increased professional curiosity documented within children’s case records. Staff are regularly identifying reachable moments to talk with children and sensitively explore issues that may increase their vulnerability to harm. Staff use these opportunities to develop their understanding of children’s experiences and to identify strategies to support children to build their resilience to harm. As a result, children experience timely and individualised support to reduce risks and promote their safety and wellbeing.

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

When physical intervention is used, it is necessary and proportionate to prevent children experiencing significant harm. There is clear management oversight of all incidents to ensure that children experience effective responses by staff. Staff receive appropriate support following incidents, and they are given opportunities to talk about their experiences and raise any concerns or worries. This approach helps children to feel safe and enables staff to reflect on and learn from their practice, identifying what has worked well and what may need to be adapted to reduce the likelihood of children experiencing future incidents.

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

Children understand how to raise a complaint and are sensitively supported to express their views and raise any concerns. When complaints are made, leaders ensure that these are investigated promptly and children are kept informed and supported throughout. As a result, children feel listened to and are reassured that their concerns will be taken seriously. This supports children to understand and exercise their rights and have a meaningful voice in the care that they receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2651823 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has been away from work since August 2026. The responsible individual is supporting senior staff, who are managing the home effectively in the manager’s absence. Feedback received from children, the staffing team and from professionals evidences the commitment by the responsible individual and the senior staff to ensure that any changes within the management arrangements have not negatively affected children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last monitoring visit, the leadership team has significantly strengthened the systems used to monitor the quality of care provided to the children. These improved systems provide leaders with greater oversight of practice and enable any shortfalls to be identified at an early stage. Where areas for improvement are identified, leaders take prompt action to address these and ensure that staff receive targeted support, development and training to strengthen their practice. As result, children benefit from more consistent and responsive care, with leaders demonstrating their commitment to the continuous improvement of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff team meetings and individual supervisions are used effectively to promote reflective practice and strengthen the quality of care provided to children. This provides staff with opportunities to recognise and share examples of good practice, reflect openly on areas for development and consider how practice can be improved. Staff are supported to share their experiences, knowledge and ideas with colleagues, creating opportunities for peer learning. As a result, staff are better equipped to understand and respond to children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership team ensures that staff receive a range of relevant training to develop and maintain the knowledge and skills required to meet children’s individual needs. Training needs are regularly reviewed in response to children’s presenting needs, emerging risks and areas identified through monitoring and supervision. Staff members are, as a result, increasingly confident and knowledgeable in their roles, enabling them to provide informed care that supports children’s safety and wellbeing. Inspection report for children’s home: 2651823 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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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that effective communication is maintained with professionals from children’s educational settings. This will ensure that professionals have the necessary information to tailor their support to children, in line with the children’s individual educational needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.7)

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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: 2651823 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Solace for Children Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 1, The Berkeley, Evesham Road, Egdon, Worcester WR7 4QL

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Inspector

Charlotte Tippett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2651823 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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