Children's Home run by Seven Steps Healthcare Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children's home: 2818713 1 Registered provider: Seven Steps Healthcare Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider and cares for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection, one child was living in the home. The inspectors spoke with the child.

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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: 2818713 2

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Summary of findings

Since the home was registered, one child has moved in. The transition plan was strong and informed by the voice of the child. The child has had positive experiences which are underpinned by nurturing relationships with the staff team. The child experiences security and stability, which has resulted in there being no incidents since they moved in. Education is limited for the child, and the model of care is not yet fully embedded in practice. The manager is warm and nurturing towards staff and the child, which supports high morale across the team. The manager knows the home and the areas to develop for continued improvement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child moved in following a stay in hospital. The transition was planned with the child and was lengthy to ensure they had time to meet all the staff. The child commented positively on this time with staff and how this supported them to feel settled and safe. The child was able to choose their own bedroom and how to personalise it.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child experiences warm and nurturing relationships with staff. Staff recognise small signs and triggers to the child’s behaviours and make adjustments to support their ongoing wellbeing. This has ensured that the child has not experienced decline in their mental wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to access a variety of activities, including going to a theme park for the first time and going for nature walks. Staff understand the child’s varied interests and are supportive in taking the child out and about in the local area.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the child’s voice, and ways that they can meet their needs and support them to feel involved in their care. The child is regularly spoken to about important issues and consulted with about their daily care. The child is happy and settled and building positive roots in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time is supported, and the child is repairing their relationship with a parent. Family members feel well informed about the child’s care and recognise the positive progress the child has made since moving into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has a place in education, but is not due to start until the next academic year, there has been no other formal education place in the interim. There is limited evidence of educational activities taking place during the week with the child. Managers have put in place independence plans for the child. However, progress in this area is limited. Staff have not recorded when they have talked to the child about independence, or activities that help to develop these essential skills. Inspection report for children's home: 2818713 3

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

Staff have provided stability, consistency and regular support for the child, who has complex mental health needs. As a result, there have been no incidents of dysregulated behaviour or any further admissions to hospital since the child moved into the home.

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

The child’s risks were considered and understood before they moved in. However, risk planning for how the staff would meet the assessed needs of the child is not clear in the plans that were completed. This includes the skill set of the staff team and how they will personalise the care of the child in line with their significant mental health needs. Additional training for the staff around these needs has not yet taken place.

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

The child takes medication regularly to support their mental health and wellbeing. Medication is regularly audited and recording is clear. The child is supported to administer their own medication, with a personalised plan. There has been one medication error, and this was responded to promptly. Medical professionals have been contacted for advice when needed.

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

Regular conversations take place when the child refuses medication. Staff notice when the child has a dip in their mental wellbeing and make adjustments to the child’s day-to- day routines. Medical professionals involved in the care of the child are consulted with swiftly to ensure action is taken. As a result, the child’s medication has been reviewed and changed to support improved mental wellbeing.

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

Risk assessments are in place and outline the known risks and clear guidance on how staff should respond. Documents are easy to read and understand, making them accessible for staff.

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

There are clear agreements in place that support the child to see their friends and family unsupervised. When there have been changes to the child’s wellbeing, safety plans are in place that ensure they can still see friends and take age-appropriate risks. As a result, the child is not unnecessarily restricted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is knowledgeable about the home. She is dedicated to the staff team and provides a warm and nurturing approach to the child and staff. The manager has a positive relationship with the child, and the child recognises her as an important person in their life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are regular and support staff development. They offer opportunities for staff to discuss housekeeping and support one another. Staff also discuss the child, their routines and areas where continued support may be needed. Inspection report for children's home: 2818713 4 Staff receive regular supervisions and are offered opportunities to talk about their wellbeing and areas for improvement. The child is discussed, which gives staff time to reflect on their own practice and learn from this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they feel well supported in the home, are actively involved and can give ideas on areas for improvement. Staff work well together as a team and morale in the team is high. Staff know the child and talk very positively about them. Staff comment on the support they receive from the manager, who they say is approachable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is present in the home and has good oversight and knowledge of the staff team. She provides in-the-moment feedback to staff on their record writing that supports their continued professional development and improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The model of care is not yet fully embedded in the home and staff practice. It is not embedded in staff knowledge and is missing from children’s documents. The home has a psychologist supporting, the staff team however, there have yet to be any consultations with them about the child and ways staff can be therapeutically informed in their care. Inspection report for children's home: 2818713 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training, or employment and to prepare for future care, education, or employment. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(v)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to ensuring that the home puts in place regular educational activities which support further learning or support with independence skills. Activities should take place throughout the week and records should show how they support learning and development. 24 September 2026

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. 24 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2818713 6 (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to ensuring staff are confident in their understanding of the model of care outlined in the home’s statement of purpose, and that this is embedded throughout practice in the home and in documentation.

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Requirement Due date

This also refers to ensuring that staff receive support, information and training in specific areas of need around mental health diagnoses.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should satisfy themselves, when they accept placements for children, that the home can respond effectively to the children’s assessed needs, and document that they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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: 2818713 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Seven Steps Healthcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 8 Highgate, Leicester LE2 6SH

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Inspectors

Becki Cornes-Sinclair, Social Care Inspector Christie May, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2818713 8 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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