Children's Home run by Changing Lives Care Group Ltd in DerbyOfsted inspection, 17 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children’s home: 2787278 1 Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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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 privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out. Two children have moved into the home, and they contributed to the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a 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

Date of last inspection: 12 January 2026

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2787278 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/01/2026 Full Good 10/02/2025 Full Good 06/11/2024 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2787278 3

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Summary of findings

Children receive individual care from staff who know them well. They make progress from their starting points and have trusting relationships with staff. Children have a say in their care and enjoy experiences that reflect their interests. Staff understand how to respond to risks and help children learn how to keep themselves safe. The manager has brought greater direction and stability to the home. Staff feel supported and value opportunities to reflect and learn. Staff stability provides children with consistent care and positive experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience planned moves into the home. Staff use available information to understand children’s needs before they move to the home. The manager learned from one child’s time living at the home, which ended after a difficult transition. She used reflective discussion with the in-house psychologist to strengthen future transition- planning arrangements. More recent moves have included introductory visits and seeking further information to support planning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views influence how they experience their care. Staff listen to children during direct work, weekly meetings and looked-after children’s reviews. Two children identified changes they wanted to their family time. Staff helped them share these views through drawings and their own words. One child asked to attend gymnastics and dance, and staff arranged this. The manager spends individual time with children during meals out and visits to the park. This helps children influence decisions about their daily lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress from their individual starting points. Staff explain children’s care plans in ways they can understand. Child-friendly versions use language suited to each child’s age and needs. Children are making progress with their personal care and daily routines. Staff recognise this progress through praise and individual rewards. This helps children build confidence in their developing skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from stability in education, health and family relationships. They attend education on a full-time basis and have remained at their existing schools. One teacher described good communication with staff. They said that one child speaks positively about the staff who care for them. Children’s health needs are well managed. They have in-house therapeutic services to support their emotional wellbeing. Children are making significant progress in their family relationships. This includes telephone contact with parents and overnight stays with a sibling.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience a home where they feel valued. Staff support children to enjoy activities, holidays and family time. Children’s bedrooms reflect their interests and choices. Staff create monthly ‘my journey’ records of children’s experiences. Children Inspection report for children’s home: 2787278 4 also have scrapbooks filled with memories and achievements. Photos around the home capture experiences. This helps children develop a sense of belonging.

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

Staff understand how to respond to children’s known risks. Risk assessments, safety plans and behaviour support plans are updated regularly. Staff read and sign these plans. This supports a consistent approach to children’s safety. Some records focus on actions without clearly identifying the risks. The manager plans to strengthen these records.

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

Staff help children learn how to keep themselves safe. Direct work focuses on risks that are relevant to each child. Staff adapt resources to children’s ages and level of understanding. For example, one child used a sorting activity to explore safe and unsafe strangers. Staff use scenarios to explore what children might do in unsafe situations. Children’s responses help staff understand where further support may be needed.

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

Staff respond appropriately when children are missing from home. During one incident, staff searched for the child. They kept in contact with relevant people. Staff completed direct work with the child following their return. They used this information to review plans and consider future risks. This helps staff adapt their response as children’s needs change.

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

Staff use a consistent and preferred therapeutic approach to support children’s behaviour. This is evident in staff interactions and their written records. Staff use praise and individual rewards to recognise children’s progress. Reward boxes and star jars reflect children’s ages and individual needs. Children choose rewards that are meaningful to them. This helps children receive recognition for their achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has brought greater direction and stability. She understands the home’s strengths and knows where further work is needed. She has clear plans for how she wants the home to develop. The manager welcomes advice and reflection from external professionals. She uses this to strengthen staff practice and children’s care. She is working towards her level 5 qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and opportunities to develop their practice. New staff receive supervision twice each month. Team meetings focus on topics linked to children’s current needs. The in-house psychologist supports staff to reflect on their practice. Staff discuss what went well and what they could do differently. The manager checks understanding through quizzes and learning activities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager recruits staff with skills to meet children’s needs. Some staff bring experience with younger children and others of working with teenagers. This gives the team a wide range of skills. Staff describe good morale and a strong sense of teamwork. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787278 5 Staffing has become more stable. Children now experience greater consistency from the adults who care for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager promotes a culture that includes children and values staff. During a school holiday, a team meeting became a celebration event. Children joined staff and leaders and helped to host the event. The children welcomed guests and offered refreshments and activities. Staff say they are proud of the difference they make to children’s lives. Children benefit from a team of staff who feel valued and work well together. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787278 6

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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: 2787278 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Changing Lives Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, 35-37 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN

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Inspector

Susie Vere, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2787278 8 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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