Jewish children’s home receives its fourth ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating

“They know the children extremely well and consistently support them to share their wishes and feelings,” it said. “They encourage children to express their personalities and celebrate their achievements with them. This promotes consistent care, a deep understanding of each child’s journey and a strong commitment to their progress.”

Bayis Sheli, which is Orthodox, has strictly kosher facilities and runs activities to enable residents to engage in Jewish festivals. 

“This helps children maintain a strong sense of identity and remain connection [sic] to their faith, replicating the traditions celebrated within their families,” the report said. “All staff receive training to ensure that they understand the children’s cultural and religious practices.”

The rating was made up of two separate components – how well the children are looked after and the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Both received individual "outstanding” ratings. 

The home's softplay area (photo: Bayis Sheli)[Missing Credit]

Micki Herzog, director of care and manager at the home, was “delighted and very proud” of the achievement.

“It is a team effort and the result of the total commitment and dedication of our exceptional staff team at Bayis Sheli,” she said, adding that it was testament to their efforts to replicate a home environment for the children who are in their care.

“Our goal is to provide a home away from home,” she continued. “Apart from ensuring that their personal care needs are superbly met, we also employ a home mother to provide the children with a home experience, a chef who prepares homemade nutritious and delicious meals, and an activity coordinator who ensures that the children have meaningful and fun activities.”

The home’s chair of trustees, Yanky Sorotzkin, said that he was “thrilled that Ofsted’s recent report has recognised the hard work of the whole team at Bayis Sheli, led by Micki Herzog, who continue to ensure the provision of the highest quality care and educational and therapeutic frameworks to all those living in the home”.

The report highlighted progress made by individual children. “One child now manages their personal care independently, supported by the patience and consistency of staff,” it said, and “another child has developed a strong understanding of road safety and recognising money”.

It repeatedly praised the staff for their diligence and dedication to their jobs. “Staff promote inclusivity by using a variety of visual communication aids that help children to participate in decisions about their daily lives,” it said, adding that they were “professionally curious and develop innovative approaches to engagement”.

The routines provided to children were described as “highly consistent and nurturing”, as “children know what to expect throughout the day, and staff are exceptionally attuned to children’s individual cues”.

Leaders and managers were hailed for their “exceptional ambition for their service”, with “unwavering commitment to excellence”, which had fostered a “strong family atmosphere in the home”.

One of the Ofsted inspectors wrote a short letter addressed to the children, saying: “Your rooms and your home are lovely and I think Micki and staff look after you very well. I think your home is excellent”.

Click here to find out more about Bayis Sheli.