Children's home run by GAC Family Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2838204 1 Registered provider: GAC Family Services 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

This home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may require support with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home. Both children were spoken to as part of the inspection.

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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 outstanding

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2838204 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This newly registered children’s home has cared for two children since April 2025.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff speak warmly about children. Staff are proud to work with children and are motivated to deliver good-quality care. One staff member said: ‘Knowing I have made a difference to children brings me joy, it is just amazing.’ Children are able to form trusting relationships with staff quickly, which helps them settle into a new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children told the inspector that the home is the best they have ever lived in. They can talk openly to staff about sensitive issues. One child said: ‘They will never understand how much they have helped me to be able to trust again.’ This is excellent progress for this child. Children seek out staff and enjoy spending time with people who genuinely care about them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children have education places and are working towards GCSE exams. One child is attending an alternative school provision. Another child attends an equine alternative provision. The child is gradually being reintegrated back into school. Children are making good progress within education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to spend time with family members to support enduring relationships. One child is currently learning British Sign Language to support their communication with their mother. One parent said that staff look after her child ‘exceptionally well’ and that ‘I am always included in care decisions and welcomed to the home’. ‘It is the best care home I have seen.’ Parents feel reassured that children receive good-quality care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities. They spend time with friends at home and in the community. Children have enjoyed horse care, basketball activities and day trips. Children benefit from fun and enriching experiences. One child is exploring volunteering opportunities. Children also spent time with other children and adults doing different activities, including celebrating Jamaican Independence Day. The day was inclusive of the local community and neighbours attended.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves into the home are well planned. Their views are well considered. Children move in at a pace that suits their individual needs. The manager finds ways to help children feel at ease. For example, one child wanted her first overnight stay at the home to be with her best friend. The manager understood that this would reduce the child’s anxieties and facilitated the sleepover. Children settle into the home well because they are listened to and included in care planning. Inspection report for children’s home: 2838204 3

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

Staff understand and implement safeguarding procedures. Children feel safe at the home. A parent and social worker feel assured that children are safe at the home.

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

There have been no physical interventions since the home opened. Behaviour support plans are individualised and give staff good guidance. Staff implement the plans and use their positive relationships to support children. There has been a notable decrease in unwanted behaviours.

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

There has been one incident of self-injurious behaviour. Staff managed the incident with sensitivity. Staff provided nurture and reassurance to the child. Because of this approach the child was able to talk with staff about how they can manage difficult emotions safely. There have been no further incidents.

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

Staff have important safety discussions with children. They include topics such as independence, sexual health and personal safety. The sessions are delivered with kindness and are non-judgemental. Because of this approach, children talk openly with staff and are helped to understand important safety information.

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

One child has been missing from home on occasion. Staff generally manage these events well and work closely with police. However, on one occasion staff did not initially manage an incident well. The manager took prompt and effective measures, and no harm came to the child. There has been a notable decrease in missing-from-home incidents. The child attributes this to staff keeping the child safe. The child has an increased feeling of safety in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is highly driven and has ambitious aspirations for children. She has a relevant qualification and is an inspirational role model for staff. Her vision is shared and strengthened by an enthusiastic and skilled deputy manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff describe the manager as exemplary and ‘deeply passionate’. She is relentless in her drive to continually improve the quality of care for children. Her commitment to both children and staff is unwavering. Staff feel valued, respected and empowered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a strong advocate for children and consistently ensures that their voices are heard and their needs are met. She ensures that children have independent advocates. She demonstrates professional courage in challenging decisions to secure the support and education for children to which they are entitled. Through the manager’s persistent efforts to understand and remove barriers to learning, one child is now reintegrating back to school.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A social worker has been impressed with the exceptional care provided to children at the home. She said that the manager treats the children like her own and is a brilliant Inspection report for children’s home: 2838204 4 advocate for children. She said: ‘I wish there were more homes like this.’ She has noticed a significant change in the child and said that the child has ‘blossomed’ since living at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have good-quality training. Staff either hold a relevant diploma in residential childcare or are working towards one within required timescales. Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of the therapeutic model of care. The approach is embedded and is reflected in the consistent nurture and child-centred approach. Inspection report for children’s home: 2838204 5

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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: 2838204 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: GAC Family Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 29a, The Link, 49 Effra Road, London SW2 1BZ

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2838204 7 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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