Action for Children's Pembrokeshire children's home gains 'Excellent' inspection report
Action for Children's Ty Hydref children's residential home near Narberth has achieved an 'Excellent' rating across all areas in its first Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) inspection since opening less than 12 months ago. Inspectors praised the home's therapeutic approach, dedicated staff and unwavering focus on children's wellbeing, safety and development.
The outstanding inspection report found that children at Ty Hydref benefit from an excellent service that places their wellbeing, safety and development at the heart of everything it does.
Inspectors highlighted the warm, trusting relationships children have with staff who know them well and provide highly personalised support tailored to each child's individual needs. The report found that children are encouraged to build confidence, develop independence, achieve personal goals and maintain important relationships that matter to them.
CIW praised the home's therapeutic approach, noting that children receive highly personalised care from skilled staff who work closely with health, education and social care professionals to ensure they receive coordinated support that delivers positive outcomes.
Inspectors found that comprehensive assessments, effective care planning and robust safeguarding arrangements help ensure children remain safe while promoting choice, independence and personal development through trauma-informed, least restrictive approaches.
The report also recognised the quality of the home's environment, describing Ty Hydref as a warm, welcoming and highly personalised home that provides children with a strong sense of belonging.
Children benefit from safe, comfortable and well-maintained living spaces, including high-quality indoor and outdoor environments that support relaxation, recreation, social interaction and the development of independence. Inspectors noted that children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and contribute to decisions about their home.
Lisa Mansell, Registered Manager at Ty Hydref, said: "We are absolutely delighted with this first inspection outcome and incredibly proud that Care Inspectorate Wales has recognised the excellent care and support provided at Ty Hydref.
"Our children are at the centre of everything we do. Creating a safe, nurturing and therapeutic home where children feel valued, listened to and supported to achieve their goals is our priority every day.
"This report reflects the dedication, compassion and professionalism of our team, who build meaningful relationships with children and work tirelessly to help them overcome challenges, develop confidence and achieve positive outcomes.
"I would like to thank our staff, children and partner agencies for the important role they all play in making Ty Hydref such a special place to live and grow."
The inspection also praised the leadership and management of the service, highlighting the positive therapeutic culture created throughout the home and the strong governance, quality assurance and safeguarding arrangements that support continuous improvement.
Inspectors recognised that staff feel valued, well supported and appropriately trained to meet children's needs, helping to create a stable and nurturing environment where children can thrive.
Charlotte Phillips, Children's Service Manager for Action for Children in West Wales, added:
"Achieving an Excellent rating across all areas is a tremendous achievement and reflects the exceptional commitment of the team at Ty Hydref.
"The fact that this was the home's first Care Inspectorate Wales inspection makes the outcome even more remarkable. To achieve the highest possible ratings across every inspection area demonstrates the strength of the therapeutic care being provided and the dedication of everyone involved in supporting our children.
"The report demonstrates the positive difference that skilled, therapeutic and child-centred care can make in young people's lives. We are particularly pleased that inspectors recognised the strong relationships between children and staff, the personalised support provided, and the home's commitment to helping children feel safe, secure and empowered.
"We want every child in our care to feel a genuine sense of belonging and to have the opportunities and support they need to realise their potential. This inspection confirms that Ty Hydref is delivering exactly that.
"I would like to congratulate Lisa and the entire team on this fantastic achievement and thank them for their continued dedication to improving children's lives."
The report concludes that children at Ty Hydref benefit from a nurturing, therapeutic and well-managed service where they feel safe, valued and supported to thrive and achieve excellent outcomes, making the home's all-Excellent result in its first CIW inspection an especially significant achievement.