AN “outstanding” children’s home is having a significantly positive impact on the lives of the young people it supports, inspectors have found.
Gem Cottage, part of Keys Group, was found to be outstanding in all areas when Ofsted carried out its latest inspection of the home, which supports children and young people who have social and emotional difficulties.
The team at Gem Cottage was praised for helping children feel safe and make significant progress in all areas of their lives, including educationally. All children, inspectors said, made “excellent educational progress from their starting points” and noted that staff are “aspirational and ambitious” for the children.
The report added that one child has made so much progress since moving to the home they have been able to move from a special school and are now making progress at a mainstream school.
Inspectors found the home has a “nurturing and positive culture” and is a place where children are encouraged and enabled to try new things. It is, they said, a place where their talents and skills are recognised and celebrated. All of this, the report noted, increases the children’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem.
Staff, inspectors said, provide “excellent support” for the children at the home and added: “Staff are committed to improving the outcomes for the children in their care. They have high aspirations and facilitate opportunities for the children to succeed.”
David Manson, Chief Executive of Keys Group, said: “We’re delighted that the positive care and support of the kind offered at Gem Cottage has been recognised by Ofsted in their outstanding rating.
““I’m delighted for team who work tirelessly to maintain such high standards, and for the children and families who benefit from their outstanding service.”
