Children's home run by Reamcare Limited in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for children’s home: SC481369 1 SC481369 Registered provider: Reamcare Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to eight children who have learning and physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 14 January 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC481369 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/01/2025 Full Outstanding 27/02/2024 Full Outstanding 21/03/2023 Full Outstanding 11/01/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC481369 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home has a nurturing and inclusive approach where children receive high-quality care and support. Staff know each child exceptionally well and are proud of their individual achievements and progress, no matter how small.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Relationships between staff and children are warm, playful, respectful, trusting and consistent. Children’s voices are regarded as essential to every aspect of daily life, and staff use creative communication techniques to ensure that all children are fully involved in decisions that affect them. The use of social stories, sign language and the development of soundboards for the children demonstrate that staff consistently seek to learn from each child to deepen their understanding of their personalities, feelings and views. A social worker commented, ‘Children are seen and heard as individuals beyond their disabilities, which is a significant strength of the home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s records are comprehensive and well written in child friendly language, with a clear emphasis on the individual child’s personality and presentation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Education and social development outcomes are excellent. The family atmosphere of the home promotes children’s social development. Children enjoy being together and peer relationships are encouraged, building confidence and self-esteem. Children are supported to develop independence skills, with one social worker reporting a child’s excellent progress in self-care, due to skills learned at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff work tirelessly to ensure that all children’s learning needs are met. They advocate strongly for the children and work with families and professionals to ensure that the educational arrangements are the right fit.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s activities are varied and tailored to individual interests, such as a personalised birthday experience involving a wildlife encounter. Children’s individual achievements are celebrated monthly through award ceremonies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home environment is warm and cosy, with children’s rooms reflecting their individual tastes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Admission procedures are thorough and child-centred, including introductory visits and sleepovers. Transitions are handled sensitively, with farewell plans tailored to each child’s pace. Children leave with memory books documenting their life at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481369 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Staff are aware of children’s vulnerabilities and know how to keep them safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Detailed risk assessments and individualised care plans are in place, and they are regularly reviewed. Daily staff handovers ensure that emerging information is shared promptly, enabling staff to identify and respond to risks effectively. This contributes to a safe and well-monitored environment for children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Staff support children to self-regulate their feelings and to express themselves in a safe way. Behaviour management practices are effective in helping children to develop safer behaviours, and the children respond well to routines and boundaries.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Community-based activities are thoroughly risk assessed. Staff are well informed about potential risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure children’s safety.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Each child has a detailed and individualised missing-from-care protocol in place, although incidents of children going missing are rare.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Physical intervention rarely happens at this home. When required, interventions are minimal, proportionate and safely implemented.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Leaders, managers and staff take allegations and safeguarding matters seriously. Incidents are rare, but when one did occur, leaders and staff responded promptly and followed appropriate safeguarding procedures. They worked transparently with external agencies and parents to ensure the child’s welfare.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Feedback from professionals and parents is consistently positive, with no safeguarding concerns raised.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager provides highly effective monitoring and oversight of the home. She is a committed and aspirational leader who consistently strives to deliver excellent care and to develop a skilled and cohesive staff team. Staff, parents and professionals report that she ‘goes above and beyond’ in her role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Recent changes to the management structure have been implemented thoughtfully, with the registered manager and responsible individual creating opportunities for staff development and progression. The staff team is skilled, passionate, caring and dedicated to the children. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with staff frequently describing the home as a ‘family’. One staff member said, ‘There’s a real culture of respect, warmth and shared commitment to providing the very best care and opportunities for the children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision, most of which is reflective and well documented. However, some inconsistencies remain in the recording of these sessions. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481369 5 A culture of continuous learning is embedded in the team. Reflective practice is prioritised during team meetings and staff feel confident in sharing ideas, knowing that they will be heard and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are encouraged to undertake specialist training, such as sensory integration, to enhance their practice. The manager has high aspirations for the service and has developed clear action plans, including the creation of an in-house sensory team to provide tailored support and assessment for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is a strong advocate for children and families, with the amplification of the child’s voice being given high priority in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC481369 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that a record of reflective supervision is consistently kept for staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.15 and page 61, paragraph 13.3) Inspection report for children’s home: SC481369 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 100 Thorkhill Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0UW

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Inspector

Amanda Burrows, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC481369 8 regulates and inspects to 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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