Children's Home run by Cedars Childcare Ltd in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2845329 1 Registered provider: Cedars Childcare Ltd 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. It is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025.

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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: 2845329 2

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Summary of findings

The manager, deputy manager and staff work well with children, families and professionals to support children to have positive experiences and emotional wellbeing and make progress towards permanence outcomes. Children and staff have warm and trusting relationships. The staff understand the children’s individual needs, lived experiences and vulnerabilities. The staff are highly creative in their approach to care practice. They draw on a wide range of experiences, skills and professional backgrounds to develop individualised and engaging ways of working with children. The children are encouraged to develop confidence and make positive memories through meaningful experiences and opportunities. Strong leadership, reflective practice and a committed workforce help to create a stable, caring and aspirational environment where children feel safe, valued and supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager has a thoughtful and child-centred approach to children moving into and leaving the home. They work hard to develop their understanding of children’s identities and past experiences. Staff engage in monthly group reflective-practice sessions with a psychotherapist. This provides consistent, nurturing care with a strong focus on relationships. The aim of the home is to support children to move on to a family-based setting where this is possible.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is child friendly, warm and welcoming. Children can spend time in shared spaces or seek time alone when needed. One bedroom has en suite facilities. This supports age-appropriate personal needs and privacy. This helped one child to feel settled and at ease.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to try new experiences and develop their interests. Staff interactions with children are kind, caring and fun. Staff join in activities such as roller skating and using scooters. Children experience days out with staff, for example going to the seaside. Staff create social story picture books of these trips. Children help to create ‘moments that matter’ scrapbooks to preserve memories and achievements. This helps children to see how they have grown in confidence and gives them a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use artistic approaches when tailoring key work to children’s individual needs. A personalised pictorial routine helps one child to structure their evening. This gives them predictability and a sense of control. Staff create visual and interactive resources to help support ‘children’s chats’. One child responded well to this approach, openly discussing anxiety and appropriate touch.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of family time and promote positive interactions. Two staff members spent time building a rapport with one parent. They listened to their Inspection report for children’s home: 2845329 3 worries and concerns and offered reassurance and guidance. This supported a more child-focused family experience.

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

Children are actively involved in developing their own behaviour support plans. Plans are written in an age-appropriate way, with positive and respectful language. Staff respond to incidents in a consistent manner and in line with the children’s plans. Records are detailed and written in a sensitive manner. Reflective discussions take place with children and staff. Children understand their plans and feel involved in the support they receive.

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

Staff use verbal praise to reinforce positive behaviour and promote a sense of belonging for the children. Children’s achievements are recognised and celebrated. One child was rewarded with a sticker book after making improvements in behaviour at school. This helped the child to feel proud of their progress.

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

Children are supported to use mobile phones safely. Clear agreements are in place and discussed with children when they move into the home. Children understand expectations and follow them. This helps to keep them safe.

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

Children understand how to make a complaint. This is outlined in their personalised age- appropriate children’s guide. A confidential worries box is also available for children to share concerns. Children who are unable to read or write can share emotion faces. This supports children to feel heard and confident to raise any worries.

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

Compliments have been received from children who have moved on from the home. Drawings and letters of thanks from children are thoughtfully displayed. This shows children that value is placed on their experiences and relationships.

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

Children feel safe to talk about their past experiences. Staff listen and respond sensitively. Concerns are taken seriously and shared with relevant external professionals. This supports children to feel heard and protected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home benefits from an exceptionally strong and inspirational leadership and management team. The staff are highly qualified and experienced. They are ambitious for children and are great advocates for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff describe managers as approachable, supportive and invested in their wellbeing and professional development. Regular supervision, team meetings and therapeutic consultations provide staff with opportunities to reflect on their care practice, develop their skills and share learning experiences. Staff say that training and clinical support helps them to feel confident in meeting children’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2845329 4 Monthly team meetings discuss the individual needs of each child. Staff discuss consistency in caregiving, clear routines, boundaries and relationships with children. The team shows a shared understanding of providing children with warmth, predictability and fun, alongside therapeutic care. Staff are resourceful and innovative in their key-work approaches.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

External professionals speak positively about managers and the care children receive. Feedback highlights the warm relationships children have with staff, the strong advocacy provided on their behalf and the commitment shown to helping children feel safe, valued and supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children feel confident in the home. There is a homely feel that the children respond well to. Children feel listened to. They like the adults who care for them, which has supported them to build trusting relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a clear, aspirational ethos across the home. Leaders, managers and staff share a commitment to supporting children to move successfully into permanence. This is evident in the workforce and home development plan. Inspection report for children’s home: 2845329 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: 2845329 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cedars Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3rd Floor, Mercury Place, St George Street, Leicester, Cheshire LE1 1QG

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Inspector

Susie Vere, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2845329 7 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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