Children's Home run by LM Care Homes Limited in Warwickshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2849171 1 Registered provider: LM Care Homes 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 privately owned and provides care for up to 2 children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living in the home and spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in October 2025. The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2026 and is working towards their level 5 leadership and management qualification.

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Inspection date: 15 September 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 15 September 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2849171 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home. The manager carefully considered the needs and vulnerabilities of the child moving into the home, alongside the needs of the child already living there. The move was planned sensitively, with opportunities for the child to visit the home and stay overnight before moving in.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff build positive relationships with children. They said that they feel safe living in the home and like staff. These positive relationships help children to feel secure and able to talk with staff about any worries or concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported and encouraged by staff to maintain positive daily routines. Staff take the time to talk to children about their health needs, including the risks associated with vaping and substance misuse. This helps children to better understand risks, make safer choices and develop positive habits.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy a range of activities that reflect their individual interests and help them develop new skills. For example, one child is undertaking driving lessons, which supports them to build confidence and independence skills for adulthood.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff speak confidently about children’s known vulnerabilities and the strategies in place to help keep them safe. Support plans and risk assessments are regularly updated as new information becomes available. Good partnership working with other professionals to review children’s plans ensures that emerging risks are identified and strategies put in place to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff take appropriate action when children go missing from the home. They follow agreed plans, undertake searches and work effectively with other professionals. When children return, staff speak with them to understand their experiences and the reasons why they went missing. This helps to prevent children from going missing from home and strengthens safety planning.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and know how to escalate concerns should they need to. When a child raised concerns about staff practice, these were taken seriously and promptly shared with the local authority designated officer. An investigation was undertaken to ensure that the child’s concerns were fully considered.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager knows the children well and speaks confidently about their individual needs, progress and experiences. He is child focused and demonstrates a commitment to driving improvements in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2849171 3 Staff now receive regular supervision, including during their probationary period. This provides opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice, receive support and discuss the needs and progress of children. This helps the manager to monitor staff performance, identify any learning needs and ensure that staff are equipped to meet children’s individual needs.

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Findings from the inspection

When incidents occur in the home, staff use agreed behaviour management strategies to support children. On one occasion, a physical intervention was used as a last resort to ensure the safety of the child and others. Following the incident, the child was given an opportunity to discuss their views, feelings and experiences. However, not all staff involved were provided with an opportunity to discuss the incident. This reduces opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice and identify areas for development.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has monitoring systems in place to help him review the quality of care provided to children. However, these systems are not always effective. For example, gaps in staff training specific to children’s individual needs had not been identified or addressed promptly. In addition, damage to one child’s bedroom furnishings had not been addressed in a timely manner.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has met 4 requirements made at the last inspection and one has been reinstated. A new recommendation has been made. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2849171 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/04/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2849171 5

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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 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

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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; 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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that monitoring and review systems are effective in identifying and addressing shortfalls in the home’s environment.

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Requirement Due date

Also, ensure that staff have the skills, experience and knowledge required to meet children’s assessed needs. 28 October 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents involving control, discipline and restraint are subject to regular management scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and in line with the principles set out in paragraph 9.35. In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff are provided with opportunities to reflect on and discuss any use of physical intervention following incidents. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2849171 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: LM Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Springfield House, Springfield Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 2RG

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Inspector

Kirsty Truesdale, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2849171 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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