Children's Home run by Capital Children’s Care Ltd in Essex

Inspection report children's home: 2575372 1 Registered provider: Capital Children’s Care 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 is a privately run home that provides care for up to 3 children aged 11 to 18 years who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

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Information about this children's home

The inspector was aware during this inspection that a serious incident has occurred since the last inspection and is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector’s judgement.

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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: 24 November 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2575372 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/11/2025 Full Outstanding 14/01/2025 Full Good 24/05/2023 Full Good 27/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children's home: 2575372 3

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Summary of findings

Children receive good-quality, individualised care from staff who understand their needs and support their progress and wellbeing. Children feel safe, valued and supported to develop positive relationships.

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Summary of findings

Staff respond effectively to risks and provide consistent support that helps children to become increasingly safe and secure.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers provide exceptional leadership and have high aspirations for children and staff. Their meticulous oversight, reflective practice and commitment to continuous improvement strengthen the quality of care. Minor shortfalls do not significantly affect children’s experiences. Leaders demonstrate the capacity and commitment to address these and improve the care provided.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved out and 2 children have moved in. There were 3 children living at the home at the time of inspection. One child spoke with the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress from their individual starting points. Staff provide children with nurturing and consistent care that helps to develop self-confidence. One child requires fewer physical interventions. A parent said that their child has ‘settled really well’ and is happy at the home. Another child’s social worker described significant progress in the child’s personal development, confidence and independence. Overall, children experience greater stability and make meaningful progress in important areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to make good progress in education and overcome barriers to learning. Staff work with children, schools and other professionals to help children engage in education. One child, who had previously struggled to attend school is having a phased return. Staff complement this with everyday activities that help the child to develop their reading and numeracy skills. Another child successfully returned to school following a period away and is making good progress. Older children work towards qualifications and future goals, including completing GCSEs, functional skills and a driving theory test. These help children to develop confidence in learning and achieve educational milestones that are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children form positive and lasting relationships with staff. Staff spend meaningful time with children and create opportunities for them to have enjoyable experiences and make positive memories, including holidays abroad. A social worker said that a child regarded the home as a family environment where they felt ‘safe, valued and cared for’. The child’s relationships with staff and others in the home contributed greatly to their Inspection report children's home: 2575372 4 emotional wellbeing. These warm and trusting relationships help children to feel secure, valued and cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop skills for adulthood. Leaders and managers have implemented a structured plan to support a child’s preparation for independence. Staff have helped the child to access work experience, search for employment and explore career pathways. This helps children to become increasingly independent and develop aspirations for their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves into and from the home are carefully considered. Before children move into the home, leaders and managers complete detailed assessments. These consider children’s known needs and how children may interact with each other. On occasions when increasing risks meant that they could no longer safely meet children’s needs, difficult decisions were made to end placements. Although 2 children needed to move from the home at short notice, staff supported this sensitively. Outreach support continued for one child following their move. This provides children with continuity and helps to reduce the potential impact of significant changes in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain positive relationships with people who are important to them. Staff develop constructive relationships with children’s families and recognise the important role that they can play in children’s lives. Families are provided with a sensitive and helpful guide to the home. Staff provide thoughtful support to families during difficult times. This considerate approach helps to strengthen relationship with families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides children with a welcoming and nurturing environment that feels like a family home. Children personalise their bedrooms to reflect their individual tastes. There is some writing on a bedroom wall that means children do not consistently experience an environment that is respectful.

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

Children’s risks are well understood and managed. Risk assessments and behaviour support plans contain relevant information about children’s known risks and behaviours. These provide staff with clear guidance about the strategies to use to help children regulate their emotions. Plans are reviewed and updated as children’s needs and circumstances change. This helps staff to provide consistent care and take appropriate action to keep children safe.

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

Staff manage challenging incidents well and respond to children with care and kindness. Staff understand children’s individual needs and recognise when they may be distressed. During incidents, staff remain calm and provide children with reassurance and support. Physical intervention is used when necessary to keep children or others safe and is proportionate to the presenting risk. Children and staff are given opportunities to reflect on incidents and share their views afterwards. As a result, children are supported safely during times of heightened distress and are helped to regulate their emotions. Inspection report children's home: 2575372 5 Managers use learning from incidents effectively to improve the care and support that children receive. This learning has contributed to a significant reduction in physical interventions for one child. This reflective approach helps staff to respond more effectively to children.

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

Staff take appropriate action when children go missing from the home and work with them to reduce further incidents. Staff follow children’s individual plans and take appropriate steps to support their safe return. Positive reinforcement has contributed to a significant reduction in one child’s missing episodes. This consistent approach helps children to understand the risks associated with going missing.

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

Children receive individualised support to help them understand risks and develop strategies to keep themselves safe. Staff talk openly with children about risks and help them to understand how their choices may affect their safety and wellbeing. The staff have completed direct work with children about healthy relationships and appropriate boundaries following missing-from-home incidents. They have helped children to identify alternative ways of managing difficulties in their relationships with others.

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

Staff respond appropriately when children share information about their experiences or raise concerns. Following information shared by a child, staff took appropriate action to explore their concerns and ensure that there were no immediate risks to the child. However, a significant conversation with the child about these concerns was not recorded. This means that there is no record of the actions taken by staff or the information shared by the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers know the children exceptionally well. They ensure that children’s needs and experiences are at the centre of all decision-making. Leaders and managers are highly ambitious for children. This is evident in the expectations that staff have for children and the encouragement that they give them to succeed. One child said, ‘Everyone pushes you to be the best version of yourself. None of them want to see you fail. They try to give you everything you want and need.’ Leaders and managers are immensely proud of children and celebrate their achievements. Consequently, children experience care from staff who are unwavering in their commitment to helping them flourish and achieve their potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is equally ambitious for staff and creates a culture in which they are encouraged to contribute and professionally develop. Staff are empowered and provided with purposeful opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills. One member of staff is completing additional training in play therapy. Staff have undertaken research projects and shared their learning with colleagues, strengthening the wider team’s knowledge and practice. This commitment has created a confident and motivated staff team with the skills to provide children with high-quality, individualised care. Inspection report children's home: 2575372 6 The management oversight of the home is exceptional and leads to tangible improvements in children’s care. Leaders and managers are meticulous in their scrutiny of practice and proactively identify learning that can be taken forward. Incidents are systematically reviewed to identify patterns and develop a greater understanding of what

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

may contribute to children becoming distressed. This analysis has enabled managers to identify significant factors affecting behavioural responses and ensure that staff adapt their support accordingly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have confidence in leaders and managers and feel highly valued and supported in their roles. Feedback from staff is overwhelmingly positive. One member of staff said that the registered manager ‘goes above and beyond’ and that ‘the young people are always at the centre of every decision she makes’. Leaders are visible, accessible and provide staff with the support and guidance to fulfil their roles effectively. This inspiring and supportive leadership creates a cohesive staff team that is consistently focused on providing the best possible care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers establish highly effective relationships with partner agencies and education professionals to enhance outcomes for children. Professionals are overwhelmingly positive about communication and partnership working with the home. One social worker said, ‘Management and staff consistently provide comprehensive reports which reflect a clear understanding of the child’s needs, progress and presenting concerns. Leaders and managers are proactive in sharing information and working collaboratively with the professional network so that children’s needs remain central to planning. As a result, children benefit from cohesive and well-informed multi-agency working that supports their current care and future plans. Inspection report children's home: 2575372 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of children. In particular, ensure that the physical environment is maintained to provide children with a welcoming and respectful place to live. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home's policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, significant conversations with children and any actions arising from these should be recorded consistently. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report children's home: 2575372 8

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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 children's home: 2575372 9

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Capital Children’s Care Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 4 Pike Way, North Weald, Epping CM16 6BL

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Inspector

Emilja Myers, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2575372 10 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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