Celebration at Hazel Brook: Ofsted Rates Us ‘Outstanding’!
We are absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news with our community, partners, and families. Following our most recent Ofsted inspection on 17 and 18 February 2026, Hazel Brook has been officially rated Outstanding in every single category!
This result is a testament to the dedication of our team and, most importantly, the amazing progress of the children who call Hazel Brook home.
Our Scores at a Glance
Ofsted’s report confirmed that our home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed standard expectations. Here is how we were graded:
| Inspection Category | Judgement |
| Overall experiences and progress of children |
Outstanding
|
| How well children are helped and protected |
Outstanding
|
| The effectiveness of leaders and managers |
Outstanding
|
What Makes Hazel Brook Special?
The inspectors highlighted several areas where our home truly shines:
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A True Sense of Home: Inspectors noted that the child living here feels part of a family. From jigsaws and stuffed toys to being involved in menu planning, we ensure our environment is warm, welcoming, and centred entirely around the child’s needs.
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Exceptional Progress: We are so proud to see our children flourishing. Whether it’s overcoming anxieties about medical check-ups or engaging more consistently with education through our close work with schools, the progress made here is life-changing.
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Safety and Support: Safety is our top priority. The report praised our “thoughtful and caring” approach to helping children understand and manage their emotions. By viewing behaviours as a form of communication, we’ve seen a significant reduction in incidents of distress.
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Strong Leadership: Our management team was recognised for being “highly ambitious and aspirational”. We pride ourselves on a “no-blame” culture that focuses on constant improvement and advocating fiercely for children’s rights.
A Heartfelt Thank You
One of the most touching parts of the report was hearing that the child currently living with us expressed that he “wants to stay until he is an adult” and doesn’t want to live anywhere else. Knowing that our children feel safe, loved, and heard is the greatest reward we could ask for.
We want to thank our incredible staff, our registered manager Lauren Follett-Smith, and our partners at Kennet Care Limited for their unwavering support.
“The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.”
