Children's Home run by LeoCrys Care Limited in EssexOfsted inspection, 15 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children’s home: 2849770 1 Registered provider: LeoCrys Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A small private provider owns this home. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. The home was registered with Ofsted in August 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 2 children living in the home at the time of inspection.

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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: 3 February 2026

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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: 2849770 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/02/2026 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2849770 3

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Summary of findings

Staff advocate for children with a focus on achieving positive experiences for them. The effective use of risk assessments and partnerships with professionals ensure that the children’s exposure to risk is limited, while enabling them to develop. Managers and staff provide a stable and supportive environment where children feel safe and cared for. As a result, children are making positive progress in all areas of their development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are settled and happy in this home. They have been supported to develop a sense of belonging. They have developed strong relationships with managers and staff built on trust and respect. Staff adopt a caring and thoughtful approach to children, which engages children and encourages interaction. These caring relationships and the stability provided for children have supported them to make measurable progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to remain connected with those who are important to them. They recognise that strengthening family bonds is vital to the children’s identity and overall wellbeing. When appropriate and safe, they collaborate with families and professionals to foster and maintain positive relationships. For one child, this approach has supported them to spend additional time with family members and work towards successful overnight stays.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote practical independence skills, including budgeting, meal preparation, travel experience and managing finances. This supports children to develop their independence skills and prepare for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At times, children have struggled to maintain positive relationships with one another, and this has led to disagreements. Staff have challenged this behaviour and encouraged children to repair differences through conversations and shared activities. Staff spend time talking to children about positive behaviour towards each other, reinforcing house rules, personal space and respect. This approach supports children to positively move on from differences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to attend education provisions that meet their individual needs. Staff work well with educational professionals to support children’s learning. As a result, children have been supported to sit their exams and make evident progress with their learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have taken part in a range of fun experiences, including shopping, arcades, swimming and short breaks at a seaside resort. Children’s experiences are thoughtfully captured in photos and shared with the children. These experiences support children to share experiences with others and enjoy life. Inspection report for children’s home: 2849770 4 Professionals and parents speak highly of the care received by children, and they raise no concerns regarding the quality of care provided to children.

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

Staff understand children’s vulnerabilities. They manage and reduce children’s risks by working with relevant professionals to develop strategies and plans to help keep them safe. Incidents of concerning behaviour are rare, but when they do occur, staff respond in the best interests of the children. They recognise the value of clear, consistent boundaries and support children to reflect on how they could manage their emotions more positively in future.

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

Staff work with children to help them have a better understanding of their vulnerabilities and how to manage them. Staff support children with well-thought-out conversations, helping them to develop strategies to manage any challenges they have.

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

There have been some incidents where children have gone missing from the home. The staff have responded appropriately. Staff try to locate the children, working with their families and other professionals. When children return, they are warmly welcomed home. If there are concerns about risks, staff respond well. This includes effective communication with other professionals to consider how to support children to reduce the risks they face.

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

Managers respond appropriately when children raise concerns about staff, demonstrating that they listen to children. They follow established safeguarding procedures and consult with the relevant professionals. Detailed investigations take place, and the outcomes are shared with external professionals and the children.

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

Staff use fair and proportionate consequences, with a focus on restoration for children. However, records do not always indicate that managers have reviewed consequences in a timely way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager left her role in July 2026; however, they have remained a visible presence in the organisation, applying to become the home’s responsible individual. A new manager was appointed in July 2026, and she has worked closely with the previous registered manager. This has enabled a detailed handover of the management arrangements. Her application to register as the manager has also been submitted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders are focused on enriching and improving the lives of children in their care. Staff speak exceptionally highly of managers and are proud to work in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The positive culture is supported by a stable and well-trained staff team. Leaders ensure that staff understand the values that underpin practice and demonstrate exceptional Inspection report for children’s home: 2849770 5 warmth, empathy and understanding of the impact of trauma on children’s development. The stability of the staff team enables children to develop trusting and meaningful relationships with familiar adults, which has been central to their emotional security and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from excellent supervision that is reflective and child focused. Annual appraisals are constructive and supportive, which supports staff to develop their practice and skills. Goals are achievable, but support staff to stretch their knowledge and have a greater understanding of the ethos of the home and the children they look after.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders ensure that children’s views are central to the running of the home. Children are actively involved in the recruitment of staff and take part in staff interviews. This provides children with a meaningful opportunity to influence who is appointed to work with them and demonstrates that leaders value and act on their views.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff embrace diversity. Children share excellent experiences with staff, who encourage them to be accepting of differences and value their own unique identities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders have vigorous auditing systems in place and quickly identify shortfalls. When shortfalls are identified, these are used by leaders as an opportunity to implement effective improvements and shared with the wider team. This enables leaders and staff to reflect openly and improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Consultations take place regularly with the home’s clinical lead, who offers therapeutic insight into the children’s needs and suggest ways for the staff to individualise their practice towards the children. Staff put these suggestions into practice. This has helped staff to have the tools and knowledge to provide individualised care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2849770 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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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: 2849770 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: LeoCrys Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Flat 47, Granard House, Bradstock Road, London E9 5BN

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Inspector

Syvanna Matthew, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2849770 8 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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