Children's Home run by Kelwel Care Homes Limited in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2857997 1 Registered provider: Kelwel Care Homes Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to one child with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in November 2025. The manager has been in post since November 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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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

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: 2857997 2

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Summary of findings

The child is developing positive relationships with the manager and staff, who have a warm, nurturing approach to their care. The child’s voice, wishes and feelings inform the plans to support and protect them. Managers and staff listen to and respond to the child’s concerns and have supported them to pursue matters that are important to them.

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Summary of findings

The manager has developed a creative and sensitive approach to meeting the child’s needs, drawing on research and specialist advice to ensure that care is tailored effectively. As a result, the child has made very good progress since moving into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager ensured that the child’s move to the home was well planned with relevant professionals. As a result, the staff received appropriate training to meet the child’s individual needs. Before the child moved into the home, the manager and staff met with the child to build positive relationships. The child’s views and wishes were sought and used to inform the decoration of their bedroom and the function of another room. Consequently, the child experienced a well-supported move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager advocates on behalf of the child and has high expectations for them. When external services do not provide the level of the support required, the manager challenges them. The child has been supported to raise their concerns with services. As a result, the child has been better able to engage with services to support them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively encourage the child’s involvement in activities that are meaningful to them. They recognise and respond sensitively to triggers and anxieties that impact on the child’s willingness to go to events. This support has increased the child’s confidence and enabled them to take part in events and enjoy experiences that they would not have previously chosen to do.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making some progress in education. However, further support is required to provide consistency and structure to the child’s daily routine. The manager has given careful consideration to how the child can be best supported to develop independent living skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is newly decorated and has a fresh and clean look. Photographs of the child and their artwork are on the walls. The child’s toys and models are displayed in the lounge. This creates a nurturing and homely environment that is child centred and assists the child in having a sense of value and belonging to the home. However, the rear garden is bare and lacks outdoor resources, which is not appealing for the child. The manager has plans to improve the garden and has been persistent in seeking permission from the local authority for these plans to be approved. Inspection report for children’s home: 2857997 3

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

The staff use therapeutic practice to understand and respond to the child. The staff adopt a playful and affectionate approach that benefits the child.

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

The plans to support the child and their safety are clear, detailed and regularly reviewed. Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of the strategies in place and implement them consistently and proactively. Following significant incidents, reflective discussions identify staff strengths and areas for development. These support continuous learning and improved practice. The child’s views are actively sought after incidents and are used to inform risk assessments, behaviour support strategies and staff responses. This ensures that the plans remain child centred. As a result, the child’s vulnerability has reduced and they have experienced greater stability overtime.

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

The manager identified patterns relating to the child’s behaviour early on and addressed these by providing increased support at certain times. This resulted in a reduction in the child’s anxiety and behaviours that challenge.

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

When concerns relating to the child have arisen, the manager has made appropriate referrals to relevant safeguarding agencies to ensure that risks are shared. The manager has worked with agencies to gain an accurate understanding of the risks to the child. The understanding of the risk could be further enhanced by greater clarity of recording and decision-making around the child’s mobile phone use.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager demonstrates a creative and child-centred approach to meeting the child’s needs. This includes a holistic approach to the child’s health and wellbeing by seeking specialist advice. The manager uses research well to inform care planning. As a result, the child has made significant progress from their starting point and benefits hugely from support that is tailored to their individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from professionals demonstrates strong and cohesive working relationships with partner agencies. Professionals said that communication is timely, informative and supports them to better understand the child’s experiences, wishes and feelings. As a result, agencies are better equipped to engage with the child and respond appropriately to their identified needs and concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Training and staff supervision are monitored comprehensively through the home’s systems and managerial oversight. The manager and senior leaders have created a positive and supportive working culture at the home. Staff spoke enthusiastically about the support from managers and colleagues and described supervision as a valuable opportunity for reflection and development. Staff said that managers provide additional support when required, particularly following challenging incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Regular opportunities are provided for staff and children to reflect on significant events. Inspection report for children’s home: 2857997 4 Where concerns relating to staff practice have been identified, the manager has responded appropriately and without delay. This has included notifying relevant agencies and undertaking a thorough investigation to establish the facts. When concerns have not been substantiated but potential risks have been identified, the manager has taken purposeful action to safeguard the child. This demonstrates an optimum commitment to maintaining safe care and responding effectively to emerging concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is dedicated and forward-thinking. She ensures that decisions regarding changes at the home are informed by the child’s welfare and best interests. The child has been consulted and kept informed about matters that affect them, including changes to staffing arrangements. Careful consideration has been given to maintaining continuity, familiarity and stability in the child’s relationships with staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Changes in leadership responsibilities have been planned and introduced gradually to minimise disruption. As a result, the child is supported to feel reassured by change and continues to experience stable and consistent care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2857997 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home provides a nurturing environment that is welcoming and supportive. In particular, ensure that the rear garden of the home is developed to be an engaging and nurturing space that the child can access. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)  The registered person should ensure that records clearly reflect how staff assess, monitor and respond to concerns relating to online safety. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2857997 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kelwel Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Jubilee House 3 The Drive, Warley, Brentwood, England CM13 3FR

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Inspector

Daniel Sancto, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2857997 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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