Supporting children's homes with experience, integrity and expertise.
Established in 2018, Nurturing Steps provides a comprehensive range of support services for Ofsted-regulated children's homes and 16+ supported accommodation provisions — led by Tanya Humphries, with over 20 years of experience in therapeutic, trauma-informed residential care.
Aligned with the standards that regulate our sector
We develop and deliver the best solutions for every client's needs
Established in 2018, Nurturing Steps provides a comprehensive range of support services for Ofsted-regulated children's homes and 16–18 supported accommodation provisions, working with both established providers and those looking to launch new services nationally.
We support EBD (Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties) / SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) and LD (Learning Disabilities) provisions nationally, alongside delivering CPD-accredited training to strengthen knowledge, confidence, and practice across teams to ensure high quality care is provided to children and young people.
Our services include the development of bespoke policies and procedures, safer recruitment guidance and oversight, the creation and implementation of effective reporting and recording systems, and independent Regulation 44 visits. We also provide professional supervisions, service development strategies, compliance action plans, management mentoring, and independent investigations into complaints and safeguarding concerns.
At Nurturing Steps, we offer end-to-end business development and operational support, aligned with OFSTED regulations, helping providers deliver safe, compliant, high-quality services where children and young people can thrive.
The principles that guide everything we work for
Integrity
We work openly, ethically, and responsibly, building trust through honesty, taking ownership of our impact, and delivering support that leads to real and measurable improvement for children, teams, and services.
Quality
We deliver the highest standards through flexible, tailored support, promoting best practice, strengthening compliance, and achieving positive outcomes for every home we work with.
Innovation
We take a solution-focused approach, bringing fresh thinking and practical strategies that evolve with need, strengthening services, improving practice, and achieving better outcomes for children and young people.
Excellence
With sector-leading experience, we believe therapeutic, trauma-informed care starts with strong leadership, and we support providers to build stable, confident teams and nurturing environments where children and young people can thrive.
Years of experience
Planning applications supported
Homes & provisions supported
CPD-accredited training
Tanya Humphries
Director / Consultant
I'm Tanya, an award-winning social care leader with over 20 years of experience working within children's residential services, across both SEMH and LD provisions. Throughout my career, I have championed therapeutic, trauma-informed practice, supporting services to create safe, nurturing environments where children can build trust, develop stability, and thrive.
I have extensive experience establishing new companies, setting up new homes, and successfully operating existing Ofsted-registered services to consistently achieve Ofsted-recognised "Good" and "Outstanding" standards. This includes leading improvement journeys, lifting homes out of compliance, overseeing turnaround services, and developing and implementing robust business development plans.
I am also the creator of an in-house therapeutic model of care, The Nurture Therapeutic Model of Care, designed to embed trauma-informed principles into everyday practice and strengthen the culture of care through strong leadership and consistent approaches across staff teams.
In addition, I have successfully supported over 30 planning applications for children's homes nationally, helping providers turn their vision into reality and bring high-quality services to life.
Nationally, I have carried out independent Regulation 44 visits for SEMH and LD homes across both private and local authority providers, as well as delivering quality assurance visits for 16+ supported accommodation provisions. Driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people, I have also developed a range of specialist training courses and I am an accredited CPD trainer, delivering programmes tailored to the needs of children's residential care teams.
Residential care consultancy in practice
From sector learning to on-site consultancy and training delivery, our work focuses on practical support for care teams and leaders.
Conference speaking and sector learning
CPD-accredited training for care teams
Collaborative consultancy with leadership teams
Practical support for children's home providers
Two decades of raising standards
20+ years in children's residential services
A career spanning SEMH and LD provisions — championing therapeutic, trauma-informed practice throughout.
Good & Outstanding standards
Successfully operating existing Ofsted-registered services to consistently achieve 'Good' and 'Outstanding' standards.
Leading turnaround services
Leading improvement journeys, lifting homes out of compliance and overseeing turnaround services.
Nurturing Steps incorporated
Providing comprehensive support for OFSTED regulated children's homes and 16–18 supported accommodation provisions.
Creating a therapeutic model of care
Creator of The Nurture Therapeutic Model of Care, embedding trauma-informed principles into everyday practice.
30+ planning applications & Reg 44 visits
Supporting planning applications nationally and carrying out independent Regulation 44 visits across private and local authority providers.
Consultancy Services
Ofsted registration support, Regulation 44 inspections, policies and procedures, leadership development, training and more.
Explore consultancyRecruitment Services
Permanent, direct-hire recruitment for Registered Managers, Responsible Individuals, Deputy Managers and Residential Support Workers.
Explore recruitmentQuestions about Nurturing Steps
The most common questions we receive about our consultancy, our approach and our Director.
Tanya Humphries is the Director and Founder of Nurturing Steps Care & Consultancy. She is an award-winning social care leader with over 20 years of experience working within children's residential services across SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) and LD (Learning Disabilities) provisions. Tanya has overseen Ofsted OUTSTANDING homes, is an accredited CPD trainer, and is the creator of The Nurture Therapeutic Model of Care.
Connect Tanya's expertise to the support your children's home needs
Discover how Nurturing Steps can support your children's home
Ready to elevate the standard of care?
Book a confidential consultation with our specialist team.