Children's Home run by New Forest Care Limited in HampshireOfsted inspection, 9 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children's home: 2571846 1 Registered provider: New Forest Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private organisation that operates several registered children’s homes. This home is registered to provide care for up to 5 children with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, 5 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in June 2020. The manager registered in July 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2571846 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/09/2024 Full Good 21/06/2023 Full Good 21/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2571846 3

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Summary of findings

Children experience exceptional, nurturing care in a spacious and welcoming home where they feel safe, valued and listened to. Warm, trusting relationships help children make significant progress in understanding their emotions, building confidence and developing independence. Children benefit from highly individualised support; they enjoy positive relationships with their families and access a wide range of enriching experiences. All children are engaged in education and are making good progress from their starting points. Safeguarding practice is thoughtful, skilled and reflective. Strong, trauma-informed leadership has driven sustained improvements since the last inspection, resulting in children thriving emotionally, socially and educationally.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children experience exceptional, nurturing care in a warm and welcoming home where they feel a strong sense of belonging. The home is well maintained and reflects children’s individual needs and preferences. Children are actively involved in decisions about their home and are encouraged to share their views, which are consistently listened to and acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of each child’s history, strengths and needs. Strong, trusting relationships enable children to feel confident seeking support and guidance. Through meaningful daily conversations and planned one-to-one sessions, children are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings and actively participate in decisions about their lives. As a result, children are emotionally secure, feel valued and make significant progress from their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children benefit from highly individualised care that promotes confidence, resilience and independence. Staff celebrate achievements and provide a wide range of meaningful opportunities that broaden children’s experiences, develop their skills and support their personal growth. Equality and diversity are embedded throughout practice, ensuring children feel accepted, respected and confident in their identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Support for children to build and maintain relationships with family members and people who are important to them is inspirational. Staff actively listen to children, manage complex situations with sensitivity and work tirelessly to strengthen important relationships. Children also enjoy a wide range of activities, clubs, holidays in the UK and abroad and community opportunities that enrich their lives and allow them to enjoy positive childhood experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Education is a significant strength of the home. All children are in full-time education and are making good progress from their starting points. Children who previously struggled to engage with education now attend full time; they enjoy learning and speak positively about their school experiences. Staff are strong advocates for children and work Inspection report for children's home: 2571846 4 effectively with education providers to ensure children receive the support they need to succeed. As a result, children are developing confidence in their abilities, achieving educationally and enjoying the benefits that education brings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A particular strength of the home is the stability it provides. No children have moved into or out of the home since the last inspection, reflecting the team’s commitment to maintaining stable and lasting placements. The consistent and dedicated staff team provides reliable care and enduring relationships, helping children feel settled and secure. As a result, children thrive and enjoy exceptionally positive experiences and outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Professionals are highly complimentary about the care afforded to children. They report strong and effective partnership working and highlight significant improvements in children’s confidence, emotional wellbeing and behaviour. Professionals describe children as thriving, making excellent progress and enjoying positive childhood experiences.

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

Children feel safe and are safer because of the care and support they receive from staff who know them exceptionally well. Staff provide a calm, nurturing and well-structured environment where children feel valued, secure and able to express themselves openly. When children display behaviour that challenges, staff respond with sensitivity and skill, supporting not only the child involved but also providing reassurance to others who may be affected.

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

Children have made notable progress in understanding and managing their emotions, resulting in a significant reduction in incidents, risk-taking behaviours and the use of physical intervention. Staff use consistent, nurturing and trauma-informed approaches to understand the underlying causes of behaviour and provide effective support before situations escalate. As a result, children experience increased emotional stability and wellbeing.

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

When physical intervention is required to keep children or others safe, it is used appropriately and only as a last resort. Management oversight is strong, with comprehensive records, reflective debriefs and robust evaluation of incidents. This learning informs behaviour support plans and helps ensure practice continues to evolve in response to children’s changing needs.

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

Safeguarding concerns are responded to promptly and effectively. Allegations made by children are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated, with managers working closely with professional networks to ensure appropriate action is taken. Children are supported to understand outcomes and engage in restorative discussions that rebuild trust, strengthen relationships and help them feel heard and supported.

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

Staff communicate effectively with children about risk, safety and personal responsibility, encouraging them to contribute to plans designed to keep them safe. As a result, children are developing a greater understanding of risk and making safer choices. Inspection report for children's home: 2571846 5 However, the continued use of door alarms and hallway sensors may not be proportionate and reflective of children’s current needs and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and responsible individual are inspirational leaders who promote a highly aspirational, child-centred ethos throughout the home. Relationships are at the heart of practice, underpinned by trust, nurture and love. Their unwavering commitment to children, including those with highly complex needs, has created a culture where practice consistently exceeds good, and children experience sustained and meaningful progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak with genuine pride about the children and demonstrate a reflective, proactive and solution-focused approach to their work. They report feeling exceptionally well supported through regular supervision, team discussions and a wide range of training opportunities. This investment in staff development has created a skilled, confident and resilient workforce that is well equipped to meet the diverse and complex needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a strong and cohesive team culture in which support is readily available from both managers and colleagues. Practice is adapted creatively and responsively to meet children’s changing needs, including the effective use of familiar staff from other homes or schools in the organisation who have established trusted relationships with children. As a result, children benefit from consistent care and support from adults they know well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Training, supervision and team learning opportunities are highly effective and tailored to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children. Team meetings are purposeful and reflective, promoting shared learning, professional challenge and a strong focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for children. Staff demonstrate a high level of confidence and competence in identifying concerns and responding proactively to safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Monitoring and quality assurance systems are highly effective and provide strong oversight of the home. Regular audits and reviews help leaders identify strengths and areas for development, driving continuous improvement and maintaining high standards. Robust management oversight promotes safe practice, strengthens accountability and ensures children consistently receive high-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Since the last inspection, leaders have driven significant and sustained improvements across the home. Their dedication, visibility and high expectations have strengthened practice, enhanced children’s experiences and created a positive culture where children flourish and staff feel valued, motivated and proud of the care they provide. Inspection report for children's home: 2571846 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the use of electronic bedroom door alarms and upstairs hallway sensors is regularly reviewed, involving parents, children (if possible) and social workers to consider if it continues to be necessary for safeguarding purposes, in accordance with regulation 24. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.16)

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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: 2571846 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Forest Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: West Shore House, West Street, Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 6AA

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Francesca Clayton

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Inspector

Sharron Dormand, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2571846 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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