Children's Home run by Heartwood RSW Ltd in Redbridge

Inspection report for children’s home: SC461865 1 SC461865 Registered provider: Heartwood RSW Ltd

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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 privately run home provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties. The home registered with Ofsted on 8 November 2013.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted on 12 April 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspection started on 18 June 2025. The inspector returned on 29 July 2025 to gather additional evidence in line with Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy.

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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: 26 November 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC461865 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/11/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/08/2024 Full Inadequate 20/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/09/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC461865 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff set clear boundaries and provide consistent care for the child. This has contributed to the child displaying positive behaviour and learning how to better manage and articulate their emotions and feelings. Individual work carried out with the child is reflective of their care plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff ensure that the child is listened to and their views are valued. The child has regular opportunities to discuss any changes in the home that they would like and to choose their own meals and activities. The child is also able to contribute to their own care plans. This ensures that the child feels consulted and respected and that everyone is aware of what the child wants and needs. Leaders and managers, however, need to update care plans and risk assessments promptly when children first move into the home, so staff have access to the most up-to-date information to help inform their practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Positive, warm and nurturing interactions were observed between the child and staff. The child is very comfortable in the company of the staff and has built trusting relationships with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are passionate and devoted in the way that they support the child to do well. They place a strong focus on education, recognising the positive impact this can have on the child’s future life opportunities. Staff have consistently shown that even in very difficult circumstances they never give up on the child. The progress the child is making, considering their starting point, is good.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is given the opportunity to safely develop their independence skills ready for moving on into more independent living. The child has learned how to budget, cook and manage the day-to-day chores.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has helped plan activities with staff during house meetings; they have the opportunity to go out and engage in activities together with staff or individually.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from receiving well-planned, highly individualised care that meets their needs effectively. Staff address any issues experienced by the child, by helping them to work through their problems and fears, and any anxieties.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to spend time with family members who are important to them. The manager has ensured that there are robust plans in place to support the child to spend time with their family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from living in a comfortable, spacious and well-maintained home. They help to choose soft furnishings and any decoration. The child has a lovely bedroom Inspection report for children’s home: SC461865 4 that they decorate to their taste. The child is central to the decisions made about their home, which gives them a sense of pride in where they live.

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

The staff are fully aware of any risks to the child and have a detailed safety plan in place. Staff are well trained in safeguarding practice. They are clear about their responsibilities in safeguarding the child. The staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures and the child’s individual needs.

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

Staff understand the child’s vulnerabilities, and they have clear guidance on how to support the child. This includes updated and detailed risk assessments with appropriate support strategies. Staff address any concerns to mitigate potential risks, and they communicate well with the child’s social worker and other relevant professionals. Staff contribute to a strong multi-agency approach to child protection.

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

The child participates regularly in well-planned, one-to-one discussions with staff. Emerging subjects include managing healthy relationships, street safety awareness and developing emotional coping strategies.

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

Staff take appropriate action when the child goes missing from the home. The child is helped to return at the earliest opportunity. Staff use one to-one work with the child to understand and support their feelings in order to help explore why they went missing.

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

The registered manager takes swift action in response to any safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding referrals are made promptly, and the child’s professionals are contacted without delay. However, on one occasion, a significant safeguarding incident was not reported to Ofsted.

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

The manager ensures that the child is cared for by staff who have the appropriate experience to fulfil their role. Timely safer recruitment practices are in place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager knows the child well and has developed a good relationship with them. She is a strong advocate for them and has challenged any decisions made that she believes are not in their best interests. The manager is dedicated to improving outcomes for the child in her care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager maintains effective monitoring and oversight. She has a well- rounded view of the progress the child is making and the quality of care the child receives from staff. In addition, monthly leadership meetings support her oversight of the home. These meetings also help to identify strengths and weaknesses and develop plans to address any shortfalls. Inspection report for children’s home: SC461865 5 New staff benefit from well-planned inductions before they are introduced on shift. Staff then complete an in-house induction overseen by the manager. This helps to embed their knowledge and build on their confidence in the role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager supports the team to develop their knowledge through relevant training sessions and regular workshops. Staff value the training provided, which includes specific topics that are relevant to the child in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. Supervision covers a range of relevant areas, such as staff well-being, updates on policies and procedures and staff development. This provides them with opportunities to reflect on their personal development and to discuss the needs of the child. Safeguarding scenarios are also discussed in these sessions to support individual learning and practice development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are regular and give staff opportunities to come together to talk about issues. Staff feel valued and contribute to the agenda. Staff say they feel well supported and supervised. Staff Supervision and team meetings, however, do not routinely consider the child’s progression, risks and views. Inspection report for children’s home: SC461865 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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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter. (Regulation 40 (4)(c) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that they inform the regulator of serious concerns about children and the actions taken. 28 August 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that records are kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. In particular, that staff update care plans and risk assessments promptly when children first move into the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)  The registered person should ensure that supervision and team meetings take into account the progression, risks and views of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5) Inspection report for children’s home: SC461865 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: SC461865 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 416 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex IG3 9JX

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Inspectors

Salean Bryant, Social Care Inspector Sadia Akhtar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC461865 9 regulates 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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