Specialist consultancy for Children's Homes & Supported Accommodation
From first idea to ongoing compliance — specialist consultancy led by Tanya Humphries, with over 20 years of experience in therapeutic, trauma-informed residential care.
Specialist support, tailored to your provision
Nurturing Steps provides consultancy for both new and established providers — from start-up support packages to ongoing quality assurance for established organisations.
Providers we work with
We work with new and established providers across England — from first conversations about opening a home to ongoing compliance for established services.
New Providers
Those looking to launch new children's homes and 16+ supported accommodation provisions — from first idea to registration granted.
Established Providers
Existing Ofsted-registered services seeking ongoing quality assurance, compliance support and continuous improvement.
SEMH & LD Provisions
Homes supporting children with Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, and Learning Disabilities.
Leadership Teams
Registered Managers, Responsible Individuals and Nominated Individuals developing their leadership, confidence and practice.
A structured, transparent approach to every engagement
Every assignment follows a clear process — from working agreement to delivery, review and ongoing support. Fees are agreed in writing before any work begins.
Working Agreement
We agree the scope, outcomes and fees in writing before any work begins. You know exactly what's included and what it costs.
Initial Assessment
Where needed, we conduct an initial visit or document review to understand your provision, your challenges and your goals.
Delivery & Support
We deliver agreed services — coaching, documentation, inspections, training — with clear communication and evidence at every stage.
Review & Improve
Every engagement ends with clear actions, recommendations and pathways for ongoing support. Nothing is left to chance.
Registration & Compliance
Specialist support for Ofsted registration, Regulation 44 inspections and quality assurance — for children's homes and supported accommodation.
Ofsted Registration Support
Full registration support for children's homes — three-year cash flow forecast, business plan, location risk assessment, Statement of Purpose, Children's Guide, core policies, forms SC1/SC2, RI/RM coaching and interview support.
£9,000 + VATLearn moreSupported Accommodation Registration
Registration support aligned to the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023 — as a full package or flexible ad-hoc support following initial assessment.
From £5,000 + VATLearn moreOfsted Compliance Support
Rapid evidence reviews, urgent support and monthly assurance for children's homes and supported accommodation.
Reviews £750 + VATLearn moreRegulation 44 Inspections
Independent monthly inspection visits, detailed reports covering safeguarding, outcomes, leadership and equality — submitted to Ofsted.
From £400 + VATLearn moreMock Ofsted Inspections
A two-day on-site mock inspection, detailed report and prioritised action plan to prepare your team and your home.
£1,500 + VATLearn moreSupported Accommodation Quality Assurance
Quality assurance visits and reports for 16+ supported accommodation provisions, supporting continuous improvement and compliance.
£350–£500 + VATLearn morePolicies, Systems & Documentation
Robust, compliant documentation and operational systems that keep your provision safe, evidenced and inspection-ready.
Children's Home Policies & Procedures
Full HR and homes policies, including employee handbook — compliant with UK Employment Law and the Children's Homes Regulations 2015.
From £3,000 + VATLearn moreSupported Accommodation Policies & Procedures
Full HR and provision policies, including employee handbook — compliant with UK Employment Law and the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023.
From £3,000 + VATLearn moreOperational Reporting Systems
Reporting and recording systems and templates for staff development, induction, probation, safer recruitment, disciplinary and grievance.
£3,500 + VATLearn moreLeadership & Development
Developing confident, capable leaders through mentoring, supervision and management workshops.
Leadership & Management Workshops
A 12-month group programme developing future managers in leadership, staff management, recruitment, retention, recording, budgeting and compliance.
£800 + VAT/delegateLearn moreOne-to-One Mentoring
Tailored mentoring for managers, RIs and Nominated Individuals — face-to-face or via Zoom, with recommended 5–10 sessions.
From £75/hr + VATLearn moreProfessional Supervision
Two-hour professional supervision with agreed targets, actions and a supervision report suitable for Registered Managers and RIs.
£250 + VATLearn moreResponsible Individual Support
Part-time Responsible Individual support with ongoing on-call for safeguarding concerns and Regulation 40 notifications.
£750 + VAT/dayLearn moreBusiness & Strategic Support
Strategic, commercial and planning support to build and sustain a viable, high-quality provision.
Tender & Bid Writing
Fixed-fee tender and bid writing for framework applications — children's homes and supported accommodation, tiered by project size.
From £2,500 + VATLearn moreBusiness Plans & Financial Forecasts
Bespoke business plan and three-year cash flow forecast for Ofsted, commissioners and investors.
£2,500 + VATLearn morePlanning Permission Support
Support with C3B lawful change of use or C2 full planning change of use — location risk assessment, business plan, Statement of Purpose and example rota.
£2,750 + VATLearn moreIndependent Investigations
Independent safeguarding concern, disciplinary and grievance investigations — face-to-face or remote.
From £75/hr + VATLearn moreAd Hoc Consultancy
Advice, guidance and document review — available face-to-face or remotely at flexible hourly, half-day and full-day rates.
From £75/hr + VATLearn moreNeed to recruit permanent staff?
We also provide permanent, direct-hire recruitment for Registered Managers, Responsible Individuals, Deputy Managers and Residential Support Workers — with a clear 10% fee structure.
Questions about our consultancy
The most common questions we receive from providers about our consultancy services and commercial terms.
We support Ofsted-regulated children's homes under the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, and 16+ supported accommodation under the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023. We work with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) and LD (Learning Disabilities) provisions.
Not sure which service you need?
Book a confidential, no-obligation discovery call with Tanya to find the right support for your provision.