Three county council children’s homes rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted

Ofsted confirmed that the council’s short breaks home for disabled children, continues to be rated ‘Good’. Inspectors recognised that children experience “warm and nurturing care from staff who know the children well and understand their individual needs.”

Two homes for children in care have also recently had their first Ofsted inspections and were rated ‘Good’.

Inspectors highlighted that at one of these homes, “children have made progress at the home, even though this has not always been straightforward”. They also noted that children feel safe, listened to and cared for, with one child describing the home as “the first time since being in care that they have felt cared for.”

At the second home, also judged ‘Good’, inspectors reported that children had made “considerable and meaningful progress” since moving in.

This means all the council’s homes have been judged to be ‘Good’ overall. The council welcomes these outcomes and continues to be ambitious for its children and services. It aims to learn from the inspections and take action to strengthen practice where needed to ensure children continue to receive the best possible care.

All three homes are part of Gloucestershire County Council’s Children’s Residential Service portfolio. Its newest home was registered in March 2026 and recently welcomed its first child.

Cllr Ben Evans, Cabinet Member responsible for Children's Safeguarding and Care at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We want to ensure that every child in care in Gloucestershire is given the love, care and support they need to thrive.

“I am delighted that the hard work of the staff at our children’s homes has been recognised by Ofsted with these three reports.

“We are committed to making Gloucestershire a great place to grow up where children and young people thrive and live lives of choice and opportunity.”