Children's Home run by Cornerways Care Limited in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2491062 1 Registered provider: Cornerways Care Ltd 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 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 November 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: 2491062 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/11/2025 Full Good 10/03/2025 Full Good 21/02/2024 Full Good 08/11/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2491062 3

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Summary of findings

Since the last inspection, children have made positive progress and developed trusting relationships with staff who know them exceptionally well and provide highly 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. Leaders and managers have an excellent understanding of the strengths of the service and the risks facing children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out and one child has moved in. At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living at the home. One child spoke with the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individualised care from staff who know them well and have a strong understanding of their needs, strengths and lived experiences. Children are relaxed and comfortable in the company of staff and have developed positive, trusting relationships with them. These strong and enduring relationships provide children with a stable and secure base from which they can build confidence, engage positively with support and make sustained progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is welcoming and child-centred, with photos of children and staff displayed throughout. This helps to create a safe and comfortable space where children can relax and enjoy their downtime.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When it is safe and appropriate to do so, staff support children to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. This helps to promote children’s sense of belonging, identity and emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child who has recently left the home continues to benefit from ongoing links with staff. The child successfully completed their exams and has plans in place to continue their education. The 2 children currently living in the home are not in education. Staff are working closely with relevant professionals and agencies and have clear plans in place to support the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children exceptionally well and have developed a detailed understanding of their individual needs. They are knowledgeable about the children’s health needs and work effectively with external health professionals and services to ensure that children receive the support they require.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s achievements and progress are consistently recognised and celebrated. Staff acknowledge both significant milestones and everyday successes through a range of Inspection report for children’s home: 2491062 4 personalised approaches, including photo albums, flowers and celebratory meals. This helps children to develop confidence, self-esteem and pride in their achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children regularly participate in activities they enjoy and are encouraged to explore new opportunities and experiences. They have taken part in a wide range of community and charitable activities, including arts and crafts projects, pottery painting, walk-and-talk events, visits to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and trips to London. These experiences help children to broaden their interests, develop new skills and create positive memories that they can take with them into adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals and family members spoke positively about the care and support provided to children. One Independent Reviewing Officer commented that their child had ‘made tremendous improvement’ since moving into the home.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the children and the risks that may affect them. They demonstrate sensitivity in the way they engage with and support children, helping them to recognise and understand their vulnerabilities and risks in a supportive and age- appropriate manner.

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

There have been no complaints from children, no incidents of children going missing from home, and no physical interventions have been required. Staff show a good understanding of therapeutic approaches when working with children. This has supported children to make positive changes to their routines and behaviours. However, some records contain language that could be perceived as blaming. This is not in line with the home’s Statement of Purpose, which promotes the use of therapeutic, child- centred and restorative language.

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

Staff are supported by comprehensive risk assessments and behaviour support plans. These documents cover a range of areas, including daily routines, behaviour management strategies and known risks. They provide staff with clear guidance and contribute to a strong understanding of each child’s needs, triggers and vulnerabilities. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed, and staff consistently follow agreed strategies to help keep children safe.

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

Leaders and managers have undertaken regular reviews of the home’s location and premises to ensure that the environment remains safe and suitable for children. Staff have a clear understanding of their safeguarding and child protection responsibilities and know how to respond to concerns appropriately.

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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. When necessary, immediate safeguarding actions are 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 within the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2491062 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a qualified and experienced manager. The manager knows the children well and has a good understanding of their individual needs and risks. The manager is reflective and ambitious and has high aspirations for both staff and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager makes effective use of a range of monitoring and quality assurance tools to maintain strong oversight of practice, regularly reviewing incidents, identifying patterns and trends in children’s behaviour, and considering how practice can be adapted to meet children’s changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the support they receive from leaders and managers, describing them as approachable and supportive. This is reflected in feedback from professionals and families, who also speak highly of the manager. One social worker described having an excellent working relationship with the manager, highlighting the positive partnership working that benefits children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers place a strong emphasis on staff development. In addition to completing mandatory training, staff are provided with opportunities to access learning that is tailored to the emerging and individual needs of children. This helps to ensure that staff have the skills, knowledge and confidence to provide responsive and effective care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Generally, communication across the organisation is effective and promotes a culture of learning and reflection. However, concerns were raised by another professional regarding communication arrangements during the manager’s absence. The professional described an incident in which she attended a planned visit to see a child, only to find that the child was not at home. She reported that similar incidents had occurred on more than 2 occasions when the manager was on leave.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are informative and include contributions from partner agencies, giving staff opportunities to share experiences, discuss challenges and explore strategies to support children. As a result, staff feel valued, well supported and equipped to meet children’s needs. The organisation’s commitment to continual learning and collaborative practice helps to create a skilled and motivated workforce that is focused on achieving positive outcomes for children . Inspection report for children’s home: 2491062 6

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Recommendations:

 The registered person should ensure that records are written in a non-judgemental and respectful manner, using language that is appropriate and sensitive to the child’s experiences and needs. Staff should consider that children may access and read their records and ensure that entries are written in a way that is helpful, supportive and promotes the child’s understanding of their experiences. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that they review management cover arrangements to ensure that there are clear arrangements in place to maintain effective management when the manager is absent, off duty or on leave. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

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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: 2491062 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cornerways Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Eastway Enterprise Centre, 7 Paynes Park, Hitchin SG5 1EH

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Inspector

Tam Musvaire, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2491062 8 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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