Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 1 Registered provider: Surrey County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since April 2024.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 3 December 2024

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 3

p.2

improvement to be good

Staff treat children with care and respect. They show interest and investment in children’s views and experiences and promote a sense of fun in everyday interactions, which helps children feel cared for. The relationships children have with staff have helped them make progress in some areas, such as talking about emotions and building independence skills.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff spend individual time with children to discuss things they need help with, such as family time and peer relationships. Staff approach these conversations helpfully and provide sensitive guidance to children in relation to important life skills. However, for some children, this does not happen frequently enough, and as a result, support around some issues is not delivered at the pace they need.

p.3

improvement to be good

Two children have come to live in the home since the last inspection. Before both these moves, managers considered an appropriate range of information and made reasonable decisions about whether children should come and live at the home. Managers considered the needs of children already resident. However, managers did not fully facilitate a positive experience for the children moving in.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff promote children’s education and learning. Managers and staff have worked closely with education colleagues to progress plans for all children. When children are not attending school, staff provide them with structure, routines and suitable educational activities. The work of staff in this area has helped two children who have been out of education for some time to begin attending.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children are positive about the care and support they receive from staff. They know how to make complaints and are actively encouraged to have advocates to ensure that their wishes and feelings are heard. Residents’ meetings are held regularly and provide helpful forums for encouraging children to express their views and feel heard.

p.3

improvement to be good

One child reported that they did not feel safe due to a specific recent event. Managers are aware of this and have made plans to support and reassure the child. However, there has been a delay in implementing these plans, which may have contributed to the child’s continuing worry.

p.3

improvement to be good

In line with their local authority care plans, children generally receive well-supported family time. Staff help children express their wishes and are proactive in promoting these arrangements so that the time is as positive as possible for them. However, for one child, there is not a clear understanding of their plan with respect to family time. This is a missed opportunity for the child to stay connected with the people who are important to them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 4 Two children have left the home since the last inspection. Staff supported them well with these moves and helped them have a positive ending, despite significant challenges in doing so for one child. The staff team provided helpful outreach support to both children, which promoted better outcomes for them in their new homes. One child who has left maintains a strong connection to staff, who are supporting them with an important

p.3

improvement to be good

The home is comfortable and furnished in a child-friendly manner. There have been improvements since the last inspection with the addition of photos of children in the communal areas. Staff help children personalise their bedrooms in a manner of their choosing, which helps them feel at home.

p.4

improvement to be good

The rear garden would benefit from attention in some areas to ensure that it is in good repair and welcoming to children. In addition, repairs to the closing mechanisms on two fire doors have not been carried out in a timely manner. The doors were observed to be propped open, which could constitute a fire hazard. Managers began to attend to these repairs during the inspection.

p.4

improvement to be good

All children have detailed risk assessments and safety plans that are kept updated with changes. They cover relevant areas of concern, and most provide clear guidance to staff about the action to take in the event of concerns. However, some do not provide clear guidance in all areas, and some contain direction that differs from that given by managers verbally or in other documents. Although this has not affected children, there is potential for confusion about how risks are managed.

p.4

improvement to be good

Concerns about online safety for one child have not prompted effective and timely action. Clear plans have not been in place to manage known risks, and there has been a delay in implementing support for the child. Furthermore, there is a lack of consistent management oversight of actions agreed in response to concerns. As a result, the child has not been sufficiently supported to be safer. Managers were taking action to address renewed concerns during the inspection.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff and managers have a clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and of children’s individual vulnerabilities. As a result, staff take prompt and effective action when there are concerns that children may not be safe, such as if children self-harm or there are worries about risks in the community. Concerns are promptly reported to managers, and there is evidence of effective joint working to safeguard children and review plans for most risks.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children do not go missing from the home. One child has left the home on occasion, and staff have followed and redirected them, guided by a clear protocol. This reflects the vigilance of staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 5 Most allegations and concerns about staff practice are followed up promptly by managers, in consultation with others, such as the local authority designated officer. Suitable action is taken to manage risks, support children and improve staff practice. This helps to ensure that children receive safe care. There was a delay in acting on one allegation against a member of staff. Since then, the manager has addressed the reasons for this delay and taken robust action regarding the practice concerns.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff are guided to respond to children with respect, patience and interest. If children are upset, staff seek to understand, support and de-escalate the situation. Physical interventions are rarely used, and there are explicit expectations for staff about the circumstances in which they should be used. Following the use of physical interventions, children are always spoken to, and their welfare is considered. However, there is not always a discussion with staff to help them reflect and consider any support or training needs.

p.5

improvement to be good

Before new staff start, managers carry out a range of recruitment checks to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. This covers most areas of the regulations, although the reasons for leaving previous roles with children or vulnerable adults are not consistently verified.

p.5

improvement to be good

Electronic door alarms are in use for some of the children. These are used with good intent for safeguarding purposes, and written consent is provided from the placing authority. Their use is informed by a risk assessment for each child.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, management arrangements have been stable. A suitably qualified and experienced manager leads the home, with the support of an experienced and skilled deputy. Staff are positive about the support they receive from managers, who have a thoughtful, child-focused approach that provides good modelling for them.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers strive to recruit and retain staff. Since the last inspection, there have been some changes due to staff leaving, and there is still work to be done to establish a stable staff team. However, managers are actively recruiting and understand the importance of children receiving consistent care. There is currently regular use of bank or agency staff. However, managers use familiar staff who are known to the children to minimise any effect on them.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff receive a range of training to carry out their roles. This training is relevant to children’s needs. Staff’s progress with training and qualifications is monitored effectively through individual supervision and appraisal. However, team meetings to share practice and embed learning do not take place routinely. This is a missed opportunity to share learning and for staff to learn from each other.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Managers have worked to improve the quality of induction for new starters. For example, new staff members receive a detailed induction handbook to help them understand their Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 6 roles and the organisation. However, staff sickness and leave have negatively impacted the experience of three staff members who have recently started.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Permanent staff receive regular supervision in line with company policy. Supervision sessions are used constructively to provide staff with sensitive support, reflection and challenge when required. However, bank staff are still not receiving regular supervision. This is particularly important due to the current frequent use of bank staff.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders, managers and staff understand the importance of working relationships with other professionals. External social care professionals are positive about the quality of children’s care, communication with key staff and safeguarding.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

An independent person carries out monthly visits to the home. Managers constructively respond to their recommendations. However, there was a delay in several of these reports being shared with Ofsted, which managers have now addressed. The reports indicate that the independent visitor does not spend consistent time with children or include the views of children’s relatives. This limits the independent person’s ability to have a full understanding of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 7

p.6

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.7

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(v))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that there is consistent management oversight of all safeguarding concerns and that risk assessments, safety plans and clear guidance to staff are implemented without delay. 19 November 2025

p.7

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose; 19 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 8 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.8

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.8

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(g)(ii))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all staff, including bank staff, receive supervision in line with company policy, that discussions with staff involved in physical interventions are held in line with regulations, and that regular, recorded team meetings are held as detailed in the home’s statement of purpose.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.8

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

p.8

Requirement Due date

that, subject to regulation 22 (contact and access to communications), contact between each child and the child’s parents, relatives and friends, is promoted in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(d))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that any plans for a child moving into the home include how they will be helped to have a positive experience of moving in, and ensure that each child’s plan for seeing and keeping in touch with their family is understood and implemented. 19 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 9 The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.9

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.9

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; ensure that staff—

p.9

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.9

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

p.9

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

p.9

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.9

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(v)(vi)(c)(i)(ii))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that there is prompt attention to maintenance and repair and that children are provided with regular one-to-one support at a pace that meets their needs. 19 November 2025

p.9

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that each employee receives an appropriate induction and is suitably supported during this period. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that thorough safer recruitment checks are carried out in line with regulations. This includes ensuring that the reasons for leaving any previous roles with children or vulnerable adults are verified, as far as it is reasonably practical to do so. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 10  The registered person should ensure that the independent person makes a rigorous assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. This should include spending sufficient time with

p.9

Recommendations

children and obtaining the views of the children’s relatives, where appropriate. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

p.10

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 11

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Surrey County Council

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Reigate RH2 8EF

p.11

Inspector

Jacob Robson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2784702 12 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.11

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.12

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.12

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.12