Children's Home run by Cove Care – Residential Limited in Telford and WrekinOfsted inspection, 23 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 1 Registered provider: Cove Care Residential 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

The home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to 3 children with learning disabilities. This change of registration was granted in March 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered in February 2026 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking that this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspection started on 24 August 2026. An inspector returned on 23 September 2026 to gather additional evidence in line with Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that serious child protection allegations were being investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the allegations were considered (where appropriate) alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there was one child living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 2 There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded, and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor, and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: 24 September 2024

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/06/2024 Full Inadequate 27/02/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/12/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 4

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Summary of findings

Serious and widespread safeguarding failures and poor leadership and management have had a detrimental impact on the child’s experiences and progress. These weaknesses have led to the child being exposed to harm.

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Summary of findings

There are some strengths. For example, the manager and staff team are committed to learning about the child’s needs. The child’s bedroom is designed to reflect their individuality. Staff support the child’s relationship with their parents, who speak positively about the home environment. However, these strengths do not outweigh the serious safeguarding weaknesses.

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inadequate

Serious and widespread failures in safeguarding arrangements have significantly affected the quality of care provided to the child.

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inadequate

Since the home varied its registration conditions, one child has moved into the home. Leaders and managers worked with the local authority and external professionals to learn about the child’s needs. However, there was no analysis of the staff team’s capacity to meet these needs. The child and the staff team did not meet until the day of the move. Consequently, the child’s needs were not prioritised in planning their move to the home.

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inadequate

Staff do not consistently provide safe care to the child. Weaknesses in staff induction and training arrangements mean that new staff and agency staff are not adequately equipped to meet the child’s complex needs or manage known risks safely. As a result, the child experiences inconsistent care and has come to harm.

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inadequate

The manager and staff team understand the value of education. Staff are providing the child with opportunities for educational activities at home. The manager, however, has not been proactive in ensuring the child has a bespoke education plan. As a result, there is no plan in place, which impacts on the child’s learning, development and opportunity to make friends.

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inadequate

Staff are helping the child to develop some relationships. External professionals say that the manager and staff are committed and learning about the child’s needs. Despite this, staff do not consistently understand the child’s preferred method of communication. This does not support the child in sharing their worries or help staff understand their feelings. These shortfalls do not provide the child with personalised care and support. Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 5 The child is registered with the relevant health services. Staff help the child to attend medical appointments for specialist medical assessments. However, there is no effective communication with medical professionals to agree on the arrangements for the child’s medical care when the child is in crisis. As a result, the child is not being provided with a coordinated approach to their healthcare.

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inadequate

Communal areas of the home’s environment are comfortable. The child’s bedroom is thoughtfully designed to reflect their individual needs. However, the child’s communication tools are not consistently accessible. This does not provide an inclusive living environment.

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

There are significant weaknesses in safeguarding practice. Staff and managers do not demonstrate a sufficient understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities or the procedures required to protect the child from harm. There is an ongoing internal investigation into serious allegations of physical and emotional abuse of the child.

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

Leaders and managers do not consistently share important information with external professionals. In relation to allegations of abuse and harm involving the child, important information was not shared effectively. As a result, the local authority was unable to assess and respond to potential risks effectively, limiting their ability to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities and monitor the child’s welfare. Social work professionals said that these failures had undermined their ability to safeguard the child effectively.

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

The manager and staff do not fully understand the child’s needs or vulnerabilities. This is because they are not yet equipped with the necessary skills to meet them. Staff were not given the opportunity to visit the child and observe their care and routines before the child moved into the home. Consequently, staff did not understand the extent of the child’s needs, particularly their level of risk. This has had an impact on the child’s stability, care and protection.

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

Staff are trained to use physical interventions safely when required. However, they are not consistently provided with opportunities to reflect on their learning from incidents. When the child is in crisis, staff lack the necessary skills and communication tools to consistently help the child share their feelings. This does not create a nurturing living environment or help the child to feel consistently safe.

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

The clinical team provides guidance to managers and staff to understand children’s needs and risks. This includes speech and language assessment and support regarding children’s communication. However, this guidance is not being consistently implemented by the manager and staff. As a result, the child is not being supported in developing their speech and language and in using their preferred communication tools. Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 6 Safe recruitment is understood by leaders and managers. However, some shortfalls have been identified in the monitoring systems for safe recruitment. This does not provide confidence that leaders and managers are consistent in their approach to safe recruitment.

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

Staff are trained to safely administer and store medication. When errors have been identified in medication storage, they have been addressed by managers with support from the clinical team. The manager and staff team have liaised effectively with mental health professionals to explore the impact of specific medication on the child’s wellbeing and safety. This ensures that all professionals supporting the child safely understand their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Significant weaknesses in leadership and management have had a detrimental impact on the child’s safety, experiences and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not proactively assess staff knowledge and skills to ensure they can meet the child’s needs and keep them safe. Agency and non-permanent staff have been used to support the primary staff team. However, these staff do not have the knowledge, experience or skills required to meet the child’s complex needs. This has caused instability for the child and led to the child coming to harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager is currently suspended, and an internal investigation into the leadership and management of the home is ongoing. Although senior leaders have implemented interim management arrangements, it is too early to assess their impact on the quality and safety of care provided to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager and staff team recognise the value of the clinical team. However, staff are not yet receiving the necessary support to develop their understanding of the child’s clinical and communication needs. As a result, the staff team is not being equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand the child’s evolving needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders have established monitoring systems to review children’s progress and staff practice. Regular consultations are held with the clinical team to review the child’s progress. When shortfalls are identified, leaders develop action plans to address them. However, these plans are not consistently implemented by the registered manager. This can affect the quality of support for children and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff working in the home have either achieved their regulatory qualifications or are enrolled to complete them within the timescales. This ensures that the child is cared for by suitably assessed adults. Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 7

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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

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

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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff understand the child’s needs, vulnerabilities and the support they require. Also, they must ensure that staff are provided with appropriate training and support to understand and respond to 24 October Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 8 the child’s evolving needs and how to implement any actions from specialist assessments.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that staff fully understand and follow safeguarding and whistleblowing protocols to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child when serious concerns are raised.

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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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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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. 24 October Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 9 (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that there are sufficient staff with the necessary skills to provide consistent care for the child and protect them from harm. In addition, monitoring systems must be used to review and, where necessary, adapt the support provided to the child and evaluate staffing sufficiency to ensure that it reflects the child’s risks and vulnerabilities.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must follow safeguarding protocols when allegations of harm towards the child are made, to ensure their safety and that safeguarding professionals have effective oversight.

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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; and

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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.

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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

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff have the skills to support the child’s individual needs and risks, including their preferred communication. Also, they must ensure that there is clear planning for staff to meet children and learn about their daily care before they move into the home. 24 October

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— 24 October Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 10 the name of the child;

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must develop appropriate communication tools for the child to share their views, wishes and feelings regarding the measure of control that is used. This must take into account each child’s preferred communication.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 24 October Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 11 that staff—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally; maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child’s learning. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(x)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last full inspection and has been restated.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(e)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that when there is a safeguarding concern for the child, this is communicated accurately and factually to ensure that they have the 24 October Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 12 appropriate oversight of the child’s wellbeing and safety and can make and contribute to ongoing support and safety plans.

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 1231311 13

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cove Care Residential Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 147 Stamford Hill, London N16 5LG

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Inspectors

Siân Heffey, Social Care inspector Hayley Booth, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1231311 14 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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