Children's Home run by Canterbury Care and Support Limited in Croydon

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2652402 1 Registered provider: Canterbury Care and Support Limited

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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 three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted on 13 April 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in post since 2 December 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has appointed a new responsible individual, and Ofsted are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Inspection date: 19 March 2026

Date of last inspection: 16 December 2025

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Inspection date: 19 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 19 March 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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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: 2652402 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection there has been some progress to address the concerns. However, there are still a number of improvements needed and requirements that are not yet met.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the inspection two children were living in the home. No children have moved in or out since the last inspection. Children said they felt safe and have trusted relationships with adults caring for them. Children said they was happy living at the home and their parents and professionals confirmed this.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s progress in education remains consistent. Targeted support is in place for a child who continues to experience barriers to attendance. Staff implement clear strategies and maintain consistent boundaries resulting in improved engagement. Children said that they enjoy school.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children through key-working sessions on matters that help children’s development. Some of the work includes promoting independence through tidying and maintaining the cleanliness of their bedrooms. However, some areas of their bedrooms could be cleaner, and staff need to support children to understand the need for consistency and hygiene standards.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s wishes and feelings are not regularly sought about the things that matter to them. Staff have introduced activity planners, but these planners do not reflect children’s individual needs and interests. Staff do not consistently provide opportunities for children to engage in a range of activities.

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Findings from the inspection

Children continue to enjoy relationships with their families. Staff promote and support family involvement in all aspects of children’s lives where this is safe and appropriate.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, incidents have remained at a low level, and staff respond appropriately when they occur. One child went missing for a short period of time and staff managed this well by following the appropriate protocol. One child who previously had a high level of staff supervision is no longer subject to this level of intervention.

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Findings from the inspection

Maintenance arrangements have improved and furnishings are promptly repaired or replaced. However, children’s bedrooms remain insufficiently personalised and this remains a shortfall from the previous inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a strong drive to recruit suitable staff which has improved staffing stability. Staff morale is high and staff report that they enjoy their roles. Staff feel Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2652402 3 well supported by the deputy manager and receive training that enables them to carry out their roles effectively. Safer recruitment checks have strengthened to ensure that staff working with children are appropriately vetted and suitable.

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Findings from the inspection

The management structure remains unsettled and unstable. The manager that was appointed has resigned and withdrew their application to register with Ofsted. A newly appointed deputy manager is overseeing the day to day running of the home. Leaders have not implemented structures to ensure that there is adequate oversight and support for the newly established staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

Shortfalls in financial resources were identified at this inspection which has contributed to restrictions and gaps in provision for children. Similar issues were identified at the last inspection. The proposed responsible individual did not identify these concerns until they were highlighted at this inspection. The proposed responsible individual acknowledged these issues and stated that they are working to address them, but this remains a recurring theme at this home.

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Findings from the inspection

Six requirements were made the last inspection and only one has been met. Five requirements have been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2652402 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/12/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/02/2025 Full Good 19/03/2024 Full Outstanding 28/03/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2652402 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, staff must carry out direct work with children to help them understand their risks and develop strategies to reduce risks.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 20 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the home is decorated and maintained to a good standard. That repairs are completed in a timely manner.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 20 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2652402 6 The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which —

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Requirement Due date

are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that staff record all work they do with children, and that records are accurate.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 20 April 2026

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 20 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children s care and welfare and their lives.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child. (Regulation 7 (1)(c) (2)(a)(iii)

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the provider ensuring that children 20 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2652402 7 are offered activities, included in decisions in the home and that these are recorded.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2652402 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Canterbury Care and Support Limited

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Inspector

Jo Tarbie, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2652402 9 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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