Children's home run by Safe Support Ventures Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2739888 1 Registered provider: Safe Support Ventures 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 privately run home provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. The inspector spoke with each of them.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2023. The manager registered in October 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2739888 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/06/2024 Full Good 30/01/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2739888 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s experiences of living in the home enhance their lives. The calm, consistent and supportive approach from staff helps children to feel comfortable, secure and able to settle in the home. Staff have a good understanding of the children’s needs and respond with patience and empathy. For example, a child who struggled to manage their emotions and hit staff daily at a previous home has not displayed this behaviour since moving to the home. This remarkable progress reflects the skill of staff in building trust and providing children with a secure base from which to grow and develop.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children make exceptional progress in their personal development. Thorough preparatory work with one child has meant that they have achieved their wish to move on and live with a foster family. A young person who moved on from the home last year continues to benefit from practical and emotional support from staff. Staff proudly talk about the progress that she had made by the time that she left the home, and how she is doing as a young mother. This kind approach includes staff visiting the young person and taking gifts for the baby. This demonstrates staff commitment to each child’s aspirations and long-term outcomes, ensuring that changes in their lives are positive and meaningful.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Education is a strong focus in this home. Children who were previously out of school are now either consistently attending school or making steady progress towards re- engagement. Staff work closely with education providers and use creative approaches to encourage learning and to build confidence. This ensures that every child, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to achieve and experience success.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that reflect their interests and individuality. One child, who loves producing music, visits a professional recording studio and has a personal studio set up in their bedroom, while another child enjoys attending the gym regularly. Children also enjoy cooking, and they take pride in talking about the meals that they can cook. These opportunities help the children to build confidence, develop their skills and explore their identities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff also work sensitively to support children to maintain and build important family relationships. For some, this involves careful work to repair strained relationships caused by previous behaviours, helping children to reconnect with loved ones in a positive and sustainable way. Children also have support to develop and maintain positive relationships with friends. Staff use individual conversations with children to educate them on issues that promote healthy and respectful relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home provides a warm, welcoming and well-maintained environment that children take pride in. Recent redecoration has created a homely atmosphere, and staff respond swiftly to any damage that may need repairing. For example, when a child damaged their bedroom, staff ensured that it was quickly made safe and comfortable again. The Inspection report for children’s home: 2739888 4 child has since expressed pride in their room and said that they intend to keep it nice, showing growing respect for their surroundings, and a sense of ownership.

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

Children say that they feel safe in the home and that they trust the staff who care for them. This sense of security allows them to relax, to form meaningful relationships and to make significant progress in their emotional well-being. As a result, children who had not been able to settle at previous homes are settled and thriving.

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

Children are protected well by the staff, who have a strong understanding of safeguarding practice. Leaders and managers ensure that safeguarding is central to all aspects of their support for the children. Staff demonstrate good awareness of each child’s individual risks and vulnerabilities, and they take effective action to keep each child safe.

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

Staff are highly skilled at managing challenging situations in a calm and consistent way. Their sensitive responses help children to regulate their emotions and develop safer coping strategies. As a result, children’s behaviour has improved significantly since moving into the home. Incidents of aggression or distress have reduced, and children are learning to express their feelings appropriately. Staff use restorative conversations to help children to reflect and learn from their experiences; this contributes to their growing emotional resilience.

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

Incidents of children going missing from the home have significantly reduced. When children do go missing, staff follow clear and effective procedures to ensure their swift and safe return. They work closely with external professionals, including the police and social workers, to understand the reasons behind the child’s behaviour and to reduce the likelihood of this happening again. The engagement of staff and the development of nurturing relationships have played a key role in reducing these incidents, helping children to remain safe, both inside and outside the home.

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

Managers promote openness, reflection and learning from safeguarding events. They ensure that incidents are reviewed thoroughly and that any patterns or emerging risks are quickly identified and addressed. Staff feel confident in raising concerns, knowing that managers act decisively and transparently to protect children. This strong safeguarding culture contributes to continued good practice.

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

Recruitment processes are robust and ensure that only suitable adults work in the home. Checks are completed to verify identity, qualifications and references, and leaders maintain close oversight of recruitment decisions. However, managers recognise that recruitment practice could be further strengthened by consistently exploring and recording applicants’ full employment histories. Plans are in place to enhance this aspect of safer recruitment practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2739888 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers provide strong, ambitious and inspirational leadership. Their clear vision and commitment to developing staff create a culture of high aspiration and excellent care. As a result, children experience exceptionally nurturing relationships that promote their emotional stability, confidence and sense of belonging.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Monitoring systems are robust, and they are used well to assess the quality of care. When areas for development are identified, the manager acts swiftly to implement effective change. This reflective approach ensures that the home continues to evolve and provide exceptional care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager provides clear direction and inspires staff to deliver the best possible care and outcomes for children. Her vision for the home is ambitious and deeply rooted in promoting nurturing relationships and high-quality staff practice. Staff share her enthusiasm and say that they feel proud to work in a home where children’s happiness, progress and safety are at the heart of everything that they do. One member of staff said, ‘It is deeply rewarding to see the progress and resilience of the children, knowing that we are providing a safe space where they can grow, feel valued and reach their potential.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager places strong emphasis on developing staff skills and confidence. Staff receive excellent training and reflective supervision, which enables them to continually improve their practice. However, supervision records do not always reflect the detailed conversations that managers hold with staff. Learning is embedded in the culture of the home and staff are encouraged to share ideas about how to enhance the quality of care. This has created a motivated and capable team, whose members’ knowledge ensures that children feel safe, supported and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is equally committed to developing future leaders. She identifies individual strengths and provides opportunities for staff to take on additional responsibilities and to contribute to the home’s development. Some staff members have already progressed into senior roles, supported by the manager’s coaching and encouragement. This focus on professional growth not only strengthens the team’s capacity, ensuring long-term stability and continuity for the children, but also creates future managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Partnership working is a key strength for the managers. Managers and staff maintain excellent relationships with school staff, social workers, health professionals and families. Professionals consistently describe communication as open, timely and child focused. This collaborative approach helps to ensure that children receive well-coordinated support and that their voices remain central to decision-making. Through strong leadership, a skilled and motivated team and a firm commitment to children’s well-being, staff continue to deliver an exceptional standard of care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2739888 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they maintain good employment practice, as set out in regulations 31 to 33. This should include exploring the applicant’s full employment history. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should keep appropriate records of staff supervision and appraisal. These should reflect staff’s views, and the detailed conversations managers have with staff to explore their development needs and progress. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2739888 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Safe Support Ventures Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 31 Eresby Place, London NW6 4JT

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Inspector

Thobekile Bandama, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2739888 8 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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