Children's home run by Essential Therapeutic Care and Education Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2728200 1 Registered provider: Essential Therapeutic Care and Education 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

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to 2 children who have social and emotional difficulties. There were 2 children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since January 2026

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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 outstanding

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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

Date of last inspection: 19 February 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2728200 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/02/2025 Full Outstanding 06/12/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2728200 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children make exceptional positive progress because of the longstanding and stable relationships they have with staff. Children want to spend time with staff and enjoy undertaking activities, such as cooking, shopping and visiting places of interest with them. One child shared that the staff are ‘so kind and understanding’ and said that they have helped her to take care of herself.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children receive nurturing and considerate care from staff, who prioritise children’s emotional wellbeing. For one child, this support has enabled them to build sufficient confidence to participate in social activities that were previously inconceivable. Another child has developed their capacity for self-care. The impact of these actions for the children concerned is profound and feedback from external professionals is unanimously positive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home has a family feel, and children are comfortable in their surroundings. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and reflect their interests. Photos of the children are displayed in communal spaces, contributing towards their strong sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff know the children extremely well and their practice is underpinned by bespoke training in the home’s preferred model of care. Staff understand children’s needs and provide excellent individualised care and support. One parent said that staff are ‘absolutely fantastic’ and what they have done for their child is ‘amazing’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The diversity and dedication of staff is a strength at this home. Children benefit from a range of differing perspectives as they learn about the world and social difference. Staff provide children with a safe space to explore their heritage and identity. As a result, children thrive and holistically develop a positive sense of self.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children are succeeding in education because staff give purposeful, insightful and practical support. Managers and staff communicate effectively with education providers and advocate strongly for children. This ensures that the children’s specific needs are met through continuous planning and that children are supported to maintain both their attendance and academic progression.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff use their knowledge of the children’s interests to encourage their participation in activities. Enriching experiences such as cultural visits, a holiday abroad and attending large scale music concerts empower children to try new things and have experiences that they will remember. These are captured in memory books, providing children with a meaningful keepsake documenting their experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children know how to make a complaint. There is an innovative and accessible system in place for children to share their views. This technology ensures that communication is sent directly to managers so that complaints can be managed effectively and without delay. Inspection report for children’s home: 2728200 4

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

Children flourish because of the emotional and practical support provided by staff. Children receive help and care to manage their behaviours and feelings safely. Staff use their knowledge and strong relationships with children to understand their behaviours so that they receive swift and coordinated responses from staff, which helps to keep them safe.

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

Staff help children to develop skills and strategies to manage their emotions. Children speak enthusiastically about the help and support they have had and describe the difference that this has made to their lives. One child said that moving into the home was ‘the best thing that had happened’ to her.

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

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and are appropriately trained. The guidance provided by a therapist helps staff to understand the complexities of children’s behaviour and enables them to respond safely. Regular therapeutic team meetings allow staff to discuss their observations and any arising risks so that they can plan the most appropriate support strategy for each child. Consequently, there has been only a small number of incidents in the home during this period.

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

Children say that they feel safe at the home. Staff ensure that there are clear and consistent boundaries in place to support children, who acknowledge the difference that this has made to their lives. One child described how staff supported them to learn about and navigate relationships in a healthier and more respectable way. Children’s understanding of risk and relationships is enhanced and expedited as a direct result of staff support and regular therapeutic intervention.

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

Children’s risk assessments and safety plans are thorough. However, there was one occasion when a child’s plan was not adhered to by staff. Leaders and staff acted swiftly to safeguard the child, taking effective action to minimise harm to the child. Following this, the child’s plans were reviewed and systems improved to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future. This shows an openness to learn and strengthen safeguarding practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A new manager has recently been appointed and has submitted their application to register with the regulator. Children have continued to receive excellent continuity of care and experienced minimal disruption despite these recent managerial changes. The current manager has maintained excellent oversight and has reliable quality assurance processes in place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders are inspiring and proactive; they know the children and staff well. Their passion and commitment to the progress and outcomes of the children is self-evident. Leaders persistently strive to make improvements for children. For example, the improvement of Inspection report for children’s home: 2728200 5 a monitoring and progress document has been shared within the provider’s network of homes to support professional practice and managerial oversight. This means that children live in a home characterised by excellent leadership, where good practice is shared and encouraged.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager ensures that staff who are new to the home are fully vetted and that comprehensive safer recruitment processes are in place. The induction process is comprehensive and effective. Newer members of the team have additional support in place and have a wide range of learning opportunities to develop their skills and practice to best meet the needs of the children they care for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say they are well supported by managers, who take an active interest in their wellbeing. Staff benefit from high quality, individual supervision and meaningful appraisals. Staff speak positively about the support they receive during probation. This leads to the development of confident practitioners who have a solid foundation grounded in the home’s ethos.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children benefit from a welcoming and inclusive environment, where everyone’s contribution is valued and wellbeing is considered. Regular wellness reviews for staff ensure that they feel supported in the workplace and that children receive the best care and support. Team meetings enable staff to focus on what matters most to the children. These reflections help staff to create a safe and positive space for children to flourish.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have tenaciously advocated for timely transition planning for a child who is due to move on from the home. They have proactively challenged drift and delay, escalated their concerns and offered solutions for the benefit for the child. Children benefit from greater stability and predictability as a result of the actions taken by managers and staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2728200 6

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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: 2728200 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Essential Therapeutic Care and Education Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Essential Therapeutic Care, Unit 9, Court Farm, Rag Hill, Aldermaston, Reading RG7 4NT

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Inspectors

Maria Calway-Kennedy, Social Care Inspector Kelly Marchmont, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2728200 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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