Children's Home run by Lantern Care Homes Ltd in DerbyshireOfsted inspection, 6 Oct 2026

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2838080 1 Registered provider: Lantern Care Homes 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 owned by a private provider and offers care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager position has been vacant since November 2025. A new manager has been recruited and is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, no children were living in the home. One child was on a visit as part of a move in plan, the inspector met and spoke with this child.

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Inspection date: 6 October 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 6 October 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: 2838080 2

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Findings from the inspection

The home provides children with a clean, well-maintained and welcoming environment. Improvements to the décor and communal areas since the last inspection contribute to a more homely setting. Personal touches, including photographs of staff, help to create a sense of familiarity and belonging for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have taken action to improve safeguarding practice. Children’s risk assessments contain relevant information about known risks, and the measures staff should take to reduce these. Managers have reviewed staff training and addressed gaps identified at the previous inspection. Staff have completed training in areas including safeguarding, managing allegations, whistleblowing, notifications of serious events, trauma-informed practice and reflective practice. This has strengthened staff knowledge and understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities.

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Findings from the inspection

There is now a more considered approach to deciding whether the provider can meet children’s needs. For a child who is currently moving into the home, managers have gathered detailed information from the placing authority and other professionals about the child’s history, risks and needs. Multi-agency discussions have taken place, and managers have considered the skills and experience of the staff team as part of the matching process. This enables managers and staff to understand the child’s needs and potential risks before they make decisions about the child moving into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s transition into the home has been carefully planned. The child has visited the home, spent time with staff and stayed overnight in preparation for their move. Staff are using these opportunities to develop their relationship with the child and learn about their needs, routines and preferences. The child spoke positively about moving to the home and about the time they have spent with staff. Staff have also communicated with people who know the child well to develop their understanding of the child’s experiences and needs. This provides the child with a more considered and individualised introduction to the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have improved how children are supported when they leave the home. The child who most recently moved from the home had a planned move which included gradually increasing opportunities to develop their independence. This contributed to a reduction in incidents towards the end of the child’s placement. Staff maintained contact with the child following their move. This demonstrates improved planning for children moving on from the home and helped the child to experience a positive ending.

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Findings from the inspection

A new manager is now in post and has started the process of applying to register with Ofsted. They have started to develop systems for auditing and monitoring the quality of care provided to children. During this period when no children are living here, staff continued to attend for training and supervision discussions. This has Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2838080 3 provided opportunities for staff to reflect on previous practice, learn from previous placements and develop their knowledge and skills. The responsible individual has increased their oversight of the service and maintains regular contact with the manager and staff.

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Findings from the inspection

The provider has improved its review of quality of care. The most recent review meets the requirements of regulation 45, and there are plans to use information gathered through monitoring to identify patterns, evaluate progress and inform future development. However, there have been no children living at the home since the previous child moved out. Consequently, the manager has not yet had the opportunity to demonstrate fully the effectiveness of the new monitoring and quality assurance arrangements in practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Overall, leaders and managers have responded positively to the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. There is evidence of improved safeguarding practice, more thorough matching and transition planning, increased staff training and strengthened management oversight. All requirements and the recommendation made at the previous inspection are met. No serious or widespread concerns were identified during this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2838080 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/05/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/01/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2838080 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Lantern Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: C9 Glyme Court, Oxford Office Village, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1LQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Hodgkins

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Inspector

Lauren Barwell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2838080 6 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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