Ofsted & CQC Settings

Specialist HR and employment law support for Ofsted and CQC registered settings in Salisbury, Wiltshire, as well as remotely across England.

With legal expertise and first-hand experience owning an Outstanding early years setting, Leo HR helps organisations strengthen safeguarding, recruitment, policies, and staff management to ensure their HR practices meet regulatory expectations.

Why HR Matters in Regulated Settings

HR practices are closely connected to inspection outcomes. While inspectors focus on safety, quality, and staff effectiveness, these outcomes rely on strong HR foundations behind the scenes.

Small gaps in recruitment, safeguarding, training, leadership, or policy application can create compliance risks - even in otherwise well-run settings. Ensuring processes are clear, consistent, and documented is essential for demonstrating that regulatory requirements are met. Many nurseries also require broader HR support, we can help with this too.

What Inspectors Expect

Both Ofsted and CQC look for evidence that workforce management supports safe, high-quality services. This includes:

Safe Recruitment Practices
Clear recruitment processes and accurate documentation that demonstrate staff suitability.
Staff Suitability and Safeguarding Checks
Evidence that staff are safe to work with children or vulnerable adults, including appropriate checks for those who have lived or worked outside of England & Wales.
Training, Supervision and Support
Staff induction, ongoing training, and regular supervision ensure employees are competent and supported.
Policies, Procedures and Governance
Policies must reflect legislation and practice. Leadership should demonstrate how these are implemented and reviewed.
Leadership and Oversight
Consistent decision-making, clear accountability, and proactive management are key to a well-led service.

Specialist Support

HR within regulated environments requires more than generic advice. Leo HR’s expertise comes from real-life operational experience, legal qualifications, and a deep understanding of regulatory requirements such as the EYFS.

This allows advice to be practical, proportionate, and aligned with inspections, giving providers confidence that their people practices support safe, well-led services. Whether preparing for an inspection, managing workforce matters, or reviewing processes, specialist HR support ensures your organisation is fully compliant and inspection-ready.

Ofsted Support Available‍ Here | CQC Support Available Here | Service Packages Available Here

HR for Early Years Book

Are you a leader, manager, or practitioner in an early years setting? Do you want to ensure your staff are confident, the children are safe, and your setting is inspection-ready?

HR for Early Years is a practical, hands-on guide designed specifically for Ofsted-registered settings. Inside, you’ll discover:

Recruit and vet staff safely and robustly
Build a confident, capable, and well-supported team
Manage performance and handle difficult conversations professionally
Embed safeguarding through strong leadership and staff accountability
Develop staff through supervisions, CPD, and reflective leadership
Understand what inspectors really look for during visits

Your journey to confident leadership in Early Years starts here.

Order Today!

Early Years Professional Development

We recommend National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) training for all early years practitioners.

NDNA training is designed specifically for the early years sector, providing practical, up-to-date guidance on safeguarding, child development, SEND, health and safety, and behaviour management. Courses support Ofsted compliance, professional development, and consistent high-quality practice across settings.

With flexible online and in-person learning options, NDNA training is ideal for staff induction, annual CPD, leadership development, and whole-setting improvement.

Health & Social Care Professional Development

We recommend Care Skills Academy for health and social care practitioners.

Care Skills Academy provides practical, regulation-focused training designed for real care settings. Courses cover key areas including safeguarding, dementia care, medication, infection control, leadership, and care fundamentals, helping staff build confidence and competence in day-to-day practice.

With flexible online, blended, and in-person learning options, the training supports staff induction, refresher training, leadership development, and preparation for CQC inspections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Based in Salisbury, Wiltshire, we can assist and visit your settings with ease. For settings further afield we can still offer specialist support and advice via calls/Teams/Zoom.
Yes. Our HR support is tailored specifically for Ofsted and CQC regulated environments, and based on first hand setting ownership. We understand the importance of safeguarding, safer recruitment, staff suitability and clear employment processes within regulated frameworks, as well as the day to day aspects of owning and running a highly regulated setting.
Inspections focus on whether our most vulnerable are safe and making progress. To meet this, inspectors look at how staff are recruited, trained, supported, and managed. Strong HR systems underpin inspection readiness, ensuring policies are consistently applied, staff files are compliant, and evidence can be easily demonstrated.
Yes. We help early years, education and care providers prepare for inspection by ensuring HR documentation, safer recruitment practices, staff records and employment procedures meet regulatory expectations. We’re also on hand for when settings experience an undesired inspection outcome to help create a practical action plan and provide the required services and resources to improve standards.
We review key employment documentation including contracts, policies, staff records, recruitment documentation, disciplinary processes, safeguarding practices, evidence of staff supervision and more. We focus on ensuring documentation and practices are compliant, consistent and inspection-ready.
Yes. We provide practical HR support following Ofsted or CQC feedback, helping you address workforce-related actions quickly and effectively. This may include policy updates, management guidance, staff process improvements or ongoing HR support to demonstrate continuous improvement.
Both options are available. Some providers work with us for a one-off inspection preparation or HR audit, while others choose ongoing HR support to ensure continued compliance and confidence throughout your inspection cycles.

We commonly support employers with:

Contracts, Handbooks and Policies
Managing Sickness & Disability Absence
Disciplinary & Grievance Concerns
Recruitment Compliance
Inspection Preparation