Children's home run by Ownlife Residential Limited in Kingston upon Thames

Inspection report for children’s home: SC483779 1 SC483779 Registered provider: Ownlife Residential 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 run home provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in March 2015. The manager registered in June 2023 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC483779 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/08/2024 Full Good 23/05/2023 Full Good 16/08/2022 Full Good 12/05/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC483779 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children living at the home have made positive progress from their individual starting points. Two children have lived at the home for a long period of time. Through support from staff, they have stability and a sense of belonging. Two children who have moved into the home since the last inspection felt welcomed. Their moves were carefully planned and managed by the registered manager, enabling both children to settle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have warm and supportive relationships with staff. Three children say that the staff ‘feel like family’. Children are happy and feel secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access a range of activities and services that broaden their learning opportunities and support the development of new skills. As a result, they show improvement in key areas, including education, training and employment. Children who were previously not engaged in education are now enjoying meaningful work experience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prepare children for their futures and to live independently. With support, children develop essential self-care and independence skills, including cooking, cleaning and budgeting.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm and welcoming and feels cosy. One child has a pet cat that they care for. Children are relaxed and comfortable in their home.

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

All children say they feel safe. Children have regular, purposeful conversations with staff that are unique to them and their needs. They reflect on their life experiences and develop a greater understanding of how to reduce the risks and challenges they encounter.

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

Professionally curious staff implement support strategies and contribute to the assessments made to help children who are at risk of exploitation. One child’s parent, social worker and youth offending worker all recognise how influential this has been in helping the child.

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

Children’s risk assessments and care plans are detailed and accurately reflect each child’s needs. They clearly outline the actions required by staff to reduce risks and support each child effectively. Children are actively involved in their care planning and are aware of their future arrangements.

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

In the case of children who have gone missing from home, such incidents reduce over time. Staff follow safeguarding protocols and act immediately when a child goes missing from home. They record all incidents and contact the child’s support network promptly. Upon the child’s return, staff welcome them warmly and review their safety and Inspection report for children’s home: SC483779 4 wellbeing. The registered manager reviews each occurrence. However, these evaluations are generic and do not critically evaluate the child’s support.

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

There have been no incidents requiring physical intervention since the previous inspection. Staff know children well, and they are alert to how children present. Staff encourage children to make positive choices and actively recognise and reinforce children’s progress and achievements.

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

Children have no complaints living at the home. They have regular opportunities to talk with staff about what is going well and what they need, which staff act on.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager, deputy manager and operations manager take pride in the support that children receive. Leaders are passionate and committed to delivering positive outcomes for children. They champion children’s rights and ensure that children have access to support to advocate for themselves confidently independently.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers use systems to monitor and review the care that children receive. This level of monitoring helps managers to have a good level of oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have developed a cohesive workforce. There is an established, stable, qualified and skilled staff team. The entire team role models positive behaviours to inspire children to pursue their ambitions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to a range of training and development opportunities, including both in-person and online sessions. All staff are trained in first aid, enabling them to support children confidently. Staff have good training; this includes individualised training to meet each child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular supervision. These sessions provide staff with support and constructive challenge about children’s care. Supervision and appraisals place equal emphasis on staff and the children’s needs, ensuring progress and growth across the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483779 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that records of children’s missing-from-home episodes evaluate the support that children have received and are clear in the action that should be taken as a result. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.31)

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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: SC483779 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ownlife Residential Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ownlife Ltd, Legion House, 75 Lower Road, Kenley CR8 5NH

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Inspector

Richard Wyper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC483779 7 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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