Inspectors have praised the leadership of a children’s home as “outstanding” and said staff at the home had built trust with the children and helped keep them secure and safe.
Ofsted inspected Church View Children’s Home in Kirkleatham, near Redcar in May and June and rated it ‘good’ overall.
The home, which is owned and managed by the council, provides residential care for up to six children with social, emotional, or mental health difficulties and four were living there during the inspection.
It also works alongside outreach services for children living with families or elsewhere and at the time of the inspection four children were living at the home.
The report rated the overall experiences and progress of children and young people as Good, the support and protection of children as Good, and the effectiveness of leadership and management as Outstanding.
Inspectors praised the registered manager, Laura Wedgewood, for her proactive and collaborative approach, stating:
“The manager has built highly effective working relationships with other professionals involved in the children's lives. She ensures that all professionals are acting in the best interests of children and challenges appropriately when plans are not being progressed.”
(See below for profile on Laura)
They went on to highlight the manager’s persistence and creativity in achieving outcomes for children that exceeded expectations. Communication with families and professionals was described as a particular strength, with one professional commenting: “The leaders are absolutely amazing.”
The report went on to say that children at Church View benefit from trusted relationships with staff, who provide emotional support and a sense of belonging. The professionals also encourage participation in education, sports, and community activities, helping to build self-esteem and strengthen bonds, the inspectors said.
The home’s outreach work also received praise, with parents reporting improved relationships with their children and valuing the support provided.
In terms of safeguarding, the report noted that children are helped to understand risks such as substance abuse, exploitation, and extremism. Staff are vigilant and responsive, with clear plans in place to support children during crises. When children go missing, staff act swiftly and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure their safe return. The inspector added that children feel listened to and supported, with complaints handled sensitively and promptly by the manager.
Councillor Bill Suthers, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said:
“This is an encouraging report that reflects the dedication and professionalism of the team at Church View. The outstanding leadership and the strong relationships built with children and families are making a real difference. One of the real positives of ‘in-house’ care by the council’s own dedicated professionals within our borough is it can help maintain a child’s relationship with their own communities and families when appropriate. That can have enormous benefits for a child. We are proud of the service and the positive impact it is having on the lives of young people in our borough.”
The full Ofsted report is available on the Ofsted website.