Children's home run by River Valley Care Limited in South Oxfordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1214396 1 Registered provider: River Valley Care Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to 2 children who may have experienced social and emotional difficulties and associated complex needs.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2025.

p.1

Inspection date: 13 January 2026

Date of last inspection: 1 September 2025

p.1

Inspection date: 13 January 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 13 January 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1214396 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, no children have move into the home. At the time of the inspection, one child was moving out of the home. The managers have ensured collaborative working with professionals to support a positive transition. This approach contributes to the child’s’ positive experience.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child is cared for by staff who know them well. Staff support independence and encourage healthy relationships. They have supported the child to access a wide range of social opportunities, including spending time with loved ones.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff promote education. When the child declined to attend formal education, staff encouraged constructive activities such as one-to-one tuition, bike riding skills and CV writing. As a result, the child continues to make progress with their learning.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

On one occasion, the manager did not follow the correct process when the child raised concerns about staff practice. The manager failed to notify relevant authorities and did not complete an internal investigation. Furthermore, the manager did not provide the child with an outcome to their concern. This does not provide assurances that action is taken when the child raised concerns.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers do not take sufficient action when responding to known information about the child’s risks. For example, the manager did not challenge or escalate concerns effectively when police officers failed to respond to their request for further information. This lack of due diligence undermines safety and leaves the child vulnerable.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Managers have provided staff with ongoing training to improve skills and knowledge. However, staff skills in report writing require further development. Not all incident records contain information regarding the de-escalation strategies used. At this inspection, managers provided assurances that record-keeping training had been scheduled.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

External professionals spoke positively about the care provided by staff and managers. One social worker commented on how they felt listened to and that the child they work with is valued and well supported.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Managers have made efforts to improve monitoring systems. Since the last inspection, managers have created an action plan to address shortfalls and have developed internal monitoring tools. Managers have made some progress in addressing the previous requirements and recommendations. However, they have not been effective in addressing all areas for improvement. Shortfalls raised during Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1214396 3 this inspection were raised at the previous inspection and are now repeated. Managers said that they are determined to rectify them. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1214396 4

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/09/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/07/2024 Full Good 05/12/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/02/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1214396 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

The provider must ensure that when concerns about staff practice are made by young people, they are responded to in line with safeguarding procedures and that outcomes are shared with the young people.

p.5

Requirement Due date

Furthermore, the registered manager must ensure that when there are concerns, these are escalated effectively.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at last inspection and is restated. 10 February 2026

p.5

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.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and 10 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1214396 6 promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; and

p.6

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; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(d)(f)(h))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure that staff are provided with sufficient training and have the skills to meet children’s needs.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Also, that there are effective systems in place to evaluate the quality of care, and that monitoring processes can identify any shortfalls in staff practice that require improvement.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Furthermore, managers must ensure that staff understand their responsibilities with regard to record-keeping.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at last inspection and is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1214396 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: River Valley Care Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Stables, Chestnut Farm, Cuxham, Watlington, Oxfordshire OX49 5ND

p.7

Inspector

Sophie Hills, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1214396 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

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 .

p.8

Inspector

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8