Children's Home run by Higher Hopes Limited in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2531620 1 Registered provider: Higher Hopes Limited Full inspection 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 6 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 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 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: 18 November 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2531620 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/11/2025 Full Good 19/03/2025 Full Good 01/11/2023 Full Good 04/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2531620 3

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Summary of findings

Children are making progress and develop trusting relationships with staff who know them well and provide personalised care. Staff are strong advocates for children, ensuring that their voices are heard and that they feel valued, listened to and supported to achieve positive outcomes.

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Summary of findings

Children receive warm, nurturing and consistent care in a friendly and supportive environment. As a result, they feel safe, develop emotional resilience and make progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, 5 children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved out of the home, and one child has moved in. The inspector met with all 5 children, and 3 children spoke with the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive personalised care from staff who know them well and understand their needs, strengths and life experiences. Children feel relaxed and comfortable with staff and have built positive, trusting relationships with them. Staff interact with children in a warm, caring and respectful way, helping them to feel valued, understood and safe. These strong relationships provide children with stability and security, helping them to build confidence, engage with support and make good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is clean, spacious and welcoming. There are separate areas of the house, including the main house and 2 annexes, that children live in depending on their needs and preferences. The home reflects the children who live there, with photos of children and staff displayed throughout.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to build positive relationships with each other and have regular opportunities to spend time together. Children's achievements, experiences and progress are celebrated through journals, photo albums, certificates and display boards. This helps create a warm and caring environment where children feel valued and able to develop a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of education and encourage children to keep trying, even when they face difficulties. When children experience challenges or setbacks, staff and the manager actively speak up on their behalf and work with professionals to get the right support. As a result, children access education that meets their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy spending quality time with staff and taking part in activities that match their interests and preferences. Staff and children have fun together, including trips to Inspection report for children's home: 2531620 4 the beach and celebrating special occasions. Children also enjoy spending time with friends.

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

Staff have a good understanding of therapeutic practice and consistently use nurturing, relationship-based approaches when supporting children. They work proactively to understand children's needs, reduce anxieties and help them express their thoughts and feelings in safe and positive ways. As a result, children feel listened to, valued and supported.

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

There have been no complaints from children. Physical intervention is rarely used and is only considered as a last resort after other de-escalation strategies have been tried.

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

Staff manage behaviour fairly and consistently using restorative and nurturing approaches. Children are given opportunities to think about their choices and understand the impact of their behaviour. Staff also use supportive strategies, such as offering weighted blankets to help children to feel clam and relaxed.

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

Consequences are proportionate and clearly linked to behaviour, while positive choices are recognised and praised. This balanced approach helps children learn from their experiences, make safer decisions and benefit from positive routines in a supportive home environment.

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

Leaders and managers respond promptly to concerns about staff practice. Where necessary, immediate safeguarding action is taken to protect children. Managers ensure that children's welfare remains the priority throughout any investigation. They also use learning from incidents to improve practice and strengthen safeguarding arrangements in the home.

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

Safeguarding concerns are usually shared appropriately with relevant professionals. However, on one occasion, Ofsted were not notified of a serious incident . This limited the external oversight of a serious incident.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

At the time of the inspection, the registered manager was on leave. The inspection was led by the responsible individual, who provided oversight of the home and supported the inspection process.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The responsible individual is ambitious and has clear plans for the development of the home. She understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She has a strong understanding of the children's individual needs and consistently implements child- Inspection report for children's home: 2531620 5 focused practice. This approach continues to contribute to the quality and stability of children's daily experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager uses internal and external systems to monitor and record children's behaviour, progress and overall experiences. Leaders and managers regularly review these to identify areas for continuous development to deliver attuned care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager values staff and invests in their professional development. She provides staff with regular team meetings that offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities. New staff benefit from a detailed induction. Bespoke training is offered to staff based on the children's individual needs. This means staff can respond to children's complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A clinical therapeutic lead brings further expertise to team meetings and provides additional support to staff. As a result, therapeutic practice is well understood and delivered by staff. These approaches are making a positive difference to children's lives. Inspection report for children's home: 2531620 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they notify Ofsted of any incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home that the registered person considers to be serious. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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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: 2531620 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Higher Hopes Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: The Old Forge Manor Farm, Bygrave, Herts SG7 5EE

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Rebecca Bellairs

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Inspector

Tam Musvaire, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2531620 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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