The Old Vicarage Outstanding

Restorative Social Care Services is celebrating an exceptional achievement following a recent Ofsted inspection at its newest children’s home, The Old Vicarage, which received an overall judgement of Outstanding in all areas.

The inspection, carried out in early January 2026, recognised the home as providing exemplary care, support and leadership for children and young people. The Old Vicarage opened in 2025, welcoming children, the registered manager and an established care team who transferred together from Church View. This thoughtful transition ensured continuity of care for the children, while Church View is now being redeveloped into a specialist school for Restorative Social Care Services.

Overall Experiences and Progress of Children and Young People – Outstanding

Ofsted praised the warm, loving and nurturing environment created at The Old Vicarage. Children reported that they genuinely enjoy living in the home and have developed strong, trusting relationships with staff who understand and meet their needs exceptionally well.

Inspectors noted the calm atmosphere of the home, with children describing it as a “nice place to live” where they feel listened to and supported. Children spoke positively about being able to have meaningful conversations with staff, helping them to understand important aspects of their lives and emotions.

Staff were described as very caring, with children sharing that they are happy and feel valued. Several children who had previously struggled in education are now achieving well at school, attending regularly, and forming friendships. Their hard work and progress are consistently celebrated and rewarded, and learning is actively promoted to help children understand the importance of education.

Two children who moved to The Old Vicarage with the established staff team expressed how much they love their new home. A comprehensive transition plan was put in place prior to the move, ensuring children fully understood the process and felt secure and confident. As a result, they settled in extremely well.

Children are also actively involved in their local community, with their daily lives enriched by a wide range of social activities and first-time experiences. These include holidays with friends, attending clubs, and even receiving personal phone calls from Santa – moments that create lasting positive memories.

How well children and young people are helped and protected – Outstanding

The inspection highlighted that children are helped and protected exceptionally well by skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. Children with complex needs are supported to settle quickly and feel safe. They told inspectors that they enjoy spending time with staff, who help them understand and manage emotions that were previously overwhelming.

Children are proud of the progress they have made and feel confident talking openly with staff about their feelings and worries. Regular one-to-one discussions support children to understand risk and learn how to keep themselves safe, while staff carefully balance protection with helping children develop independence appropriate to their age and abilities.

Positive behaviour is consistently promoted and rewarded, and staff demonstrate strong professional curiosity, sharing learning, research and ideas. They work closely with external professionals and psychologists to manage and reduce risk. Ofsted noted that risk management is exceptional, with clear plans and structures in place to safeguard children effectively.

The effectiveness of leaders and managers – Outstanding

The effectiveness of leadership and management was also judged Outstanding. The registered manager, Nick, was described as an inspirational role model who makes a genuine and positive difference to the lives of children in care.

Inspectors recognised the manager’s strong oversight of the home, high standards of care, and commitment to continuous improvement. Robust quality audits and proactive reviews ensure every aspect of the home functions to a high standard and remains a safe, nurturing space for children.

Staff spoke very positively about the leadership, valuing both the professional guidance and personal support they receive. There is a strong, positive culture within the home, with a shared ambition for children to achieve their goals. The manager was described as extremely knowledgeable, approachable and a great leader who actively promotes staff development and enthusiasm for their roles.

Newly appointed staff benefit from a strong induction process, including a comprehensive in-house programme developed by the manager, ensuring they are fully prepared to deliver high-quality care.

This outstanding inspection outcome is a fantastic achievement for The Old Vicarage, Restorative Social Care Services, and everyone involved. Congratulations to registered manager Nick and the entire care team for their dedication, passion and commitment to improving the lives of children and young people.