Children's home run by First Steps Care Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2819115 1 Registered provider: First Steps Care Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is owned and operated by a private company. It provides care for up to 2 children who may have emotional and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

One child was living in the home at the time of the visit. They spoke with the inspector and shared their views about living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted during the registration visit in June 2025.

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Information about this children's home

The inspection started on 8 January 2026. It was paused in line with Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy. The inspector returned on 12 January 2026 to complete 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 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: 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: 2819115 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who move into and out of the home experience well-planned transitions. The manager ensures that a thorough process is followed to gather detailed information about each child. Assessments carefully consider each child's needs, presentation and risks, as well as the potential impact on children already living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child moved from the home due to safeguarding concerns. This was managed in a planned and coordinated manner to ensure a positive outcome. Leaders worked closely with partner agencies to develop appropriate support and facilitate a successful transition. Therapeutic assessments were completed by the clinical lead and used to identify a suitable placement for the child. This approach to care planning helps children achieve stability and reduces the risk of future placement breakdowns.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress in their education from their starting points. When children are unable to attend school, staff advocate effectively to secure suitable education placements. In the interim, staff and managers ensure that children engage in learning through on-site tutoring and other educational activities. This proactive approach supported one child, who had been out of education for a significant period, to secure a school placement. The child now attends school daily without issue. As a result, children benefit from consistent education, which promotes their learning and enhances their future opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff are committed to promoting the health and wellbeing of children. They ensure that children are registered with all relevant health services and receive age-appropriate guidance about their health. All children benefit from support provided by the home's therapeutic lead, and when additional help is required, staff and managers work with external agencies such as child and adolescent mental health services. As a result, children's physical and emotional health improves, and they develop a stronger understanding of how to manage their wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. Staff facilitate time with family and others, including transporting children over considerable distances. When concerns about safety arise, staff share information promptly with relevant professionals and implement necessary adjustments, which are reviewed regularly. As a result, children maintain safe and positive family relationships that promote their emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from positive and nurturing relationships with staff and leaders. The home is well presented and provides a warm, homely environment. As a result, children feel a sense of belonging and security, which supports their emotional wellbeing and progress. Inspection report for children's home: 2819115 3

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

Staff use a therapeutically informed approach to support children's behaviour and reduce risks. This approach, combined with warm, consistent and nurturing relationships, helps children feel safe and settled. Staff regularly educate children about risks and support them to understand how to keep themselves safe. As a result, children demonstrate reduced risk-taking behaviours and increased emotional stability. One child told the inspector that they love living in the home, feel safe and respect boundaries, saying they are 'better' because of this support.

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

Behaviour management plans are detailed and therapeutically informed. These plans provide clear guidance to staff on how to safeguard and support children during incidents. When de-escalation strategies are not effective, staff use physical intervention appropriately and in line with children's plans to ensure their safety. Managers ensure that children and staff have opportunities to reflect after incidents. This reflective practice helps children learn from their experiences and promotes safer behaviour over time.

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

When children make allegations about staff or peers, managers respond promptly and effectively. Investigations are thorough, and managers consult with relevant professionals and agencies to ensure that decision-making is transparent and safeguarding practice is robust. As a result, children are protected from harm, and concerns are addressed quickly to maintain their safety and trust in the home.

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

When children go missing from home, the actions taken to locate them are robust. Staff follow children's individual plans and respond swiftly to incidents. During one specific missing-from-home episode, the actions of staff and senior leaders demonstrated a coordinated and timely response, ensuring the child's safe return. This proactive and consistent approach helps to minimise harm and reinforces children's sense of safety and security.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a child-centred and aspirational manager who is supported by an experienced responsible individual. Senior leaders are actively involved in day-to-day operations and provide regular oversight. This strong leadership ensures that children receive consistent care and that staff are well supported to meet children's needs. As a result, children benefit from a stable and nurturing environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals and family members speak positively about the care and commitment of staff and managers. One professional commented that a child is the most settled they have been since their involvement. Staff also report feeling well supported by the manager and senior leaders. As a result, children benefit from consistent, high-quality care delivered by a confident and motivated team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular supervision and team meetings provide staff with opportunities to reflect on their practice, evaluate children's progress and discuss safeguarding and training needs. Inspection report for children's home: 2819115 4 This approach promotes staff development and ensures that children's needs remain central to practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Internal audits are robust, and the manager uses a range of monitoring and review tools to maintain oversight of the home. Monthly audits are also completed by the home's compliance officer, providing an additional layer of scrutiny. However, leaders have not ensured that external monitoring is effective. Independent visitor reports have either not been sent or have been submitted late. This shortfall reduces independent oversight and limits opportunities to identify and address issues promptly, which could compromise the quality of care provided. Managers and senior leaders have taken action to address this shortfall. Inspection report for children's home: 2819115 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 registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home's records (except for a child's case records, unless the child and the child's placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person's report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children's well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person's report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(b) (4)(a)(b) and (5))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the provider ensuring that an independent person visits the home each month and provides a report stating their opinion on whether children are effectively safeguarded and their wellbeing is being promoted. The provider must also ensure that the report is sent to Ofsted without delay. 1 February 2026

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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 Inspection report for children's home: 2819115 6 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: 2819115 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: First Steps Care Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Capital Office, 124-128 City Road, London EC1V 2NX

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Inspector

Nateisha Cardoza-Evans, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2819115 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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