Children's home run by Bayleaf Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2844955 1 Registered provider: Bayleaf Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to 2 children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector spoke to one child and spent time with the other child.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in July 2025. There is an interim manager in post who has applied to register with Ofsted. He holds a level 5 leadership and management qualification.

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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: 2844955 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience a stable home environment and make good progress from their starting points. When they move into the home, staff ensure careful and child ‑ centred planning. They have opportunities to meet with staff before moving in and choose the decor and furnishings for their bedrooms. This thoughtful approach helps children to settle and feel a sense of ownership and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to make choices about their activities and take part in enjoyable trips in the community, including visits to parks, zoos and ice ‑ cream parlours. These experiences enhance children’s enjoyment and help them gain confidence when in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Interactions between staff and children are warm, nurturing and relaxed. Staff speak proudly about children’s achievements and offer consistent verbal praise. This helps children to develop strong, trusting relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s individual communication needs. They use visual aids to help children communicate their wishes and feelings, along with words. For example, one child is using more spoken words. The effective support enables children to express choices confidently and ensures they feel understood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have positive relationships with children’s family members. Staff welcome families into the home and help to facilitate meaningful time together, including activities in the community. This strengthens children’s connections with the people who matter most to them. One parent said, ‘I couldn’t be happier with how they care for [name of child]. They are well looked after.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Despite this progress, children’s health needs are not always met. Staff did not explore barriers to one child refusal to attending health appointments. There are missed opportunities to help children understand the importance of good dental hygiene. Furthermore, there has been a delay in the home receiving children’s targets. This impacts on children’s physical health needs.

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

When physical intervention is required, it is used as a last resort to keep children and staff safe. All incidents are reviewed by the managers. There are visual communication supports available to children, which help staff gather children’s views and feelings. Additionally, managers speak with staff to help them reflect and explore strategies to prevent reoccurrence of incidents.

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

Safeguarding responsibilities are understood by staff. They feel confident to raise concerns and escalate them. When concerns are raised about staff, these are taken Inspection report for children’s home: 2844955 3 seriously. Managers share information with other professionals, and ensure concerns are thoroughly investigated. This promotes children’s safety and welfare.

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

Staff understand children’s risks well. Detailed behaviour support plans help staff respond effectively when children are upset or unhappy. They work closely with the home’s therapist to put helpful strategies in place. For example, one child is now using sand timers to support waiting periods and changes to activities. This good support helps children manage their feelings and daily routines more effectively.

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

When children require medication, it is managed well and safely. Managers complete competency checks on staff and regularly review practice. Staff correctly administer medication, resulting in no medication errors.

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

One child uses a restrictive vehicle harness when travelling. This measure has not been regularly reviewed by the manager or professionals. For example, it has not been assessed to see if this restriction is proportionate to the perceived risk. This affects the manager’s ability to review whether this is appropriate and aligned with the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has recently had a change in manager. He is child focused and supported by 2 deputies who know the children well. This change has been handled carefully, helping to minimise disruption for children and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers place children at the centre of practice and promote a strong child ‑ centred culture. Staff share a clear commitment to ensuring children are happy, safe and supported to achieve their goals. They feel supported and valued in their roles. This positive culture helps children experience consistent and nurturing care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and effective supervision. Additionally, team meetings give staff valuable time to share information and talk about children’s progress. Managers use these sessions to support staff development. The involvement of the home’s therapist has strengthened oversight and helps ensure staff practice is guided by specialist advice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to a wide range of mandatory and additional training. Training is tailored to the specific needs of the children living in the home. This gives staff the confidence and knowledge to respond effectively to children’s daily needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is effective partnership working with other professionals. They speak positively about the care children receive and value the regular updates from staff. This good communication means everyone has a shared and accurate understanding of each child’s progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2844955 4

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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

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

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Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

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Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child);

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Requirement Due date

or a child who is accommodated in a secure children’s home from absconding from the home.

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that mechanical restraints are regularly reviewed. 24 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans; 24 April 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2844955 5 understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well-being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that staff explore any barriers to children refusal to attending health appointments and help children understand the importance of good dental care.

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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: 2844955 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bayleaf Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 7 Bankside, The Watermark, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE11 9SY

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Inspector

Kirsty Truesdale, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2844955 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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