Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068827 1 SC068827

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Registered provider: Surrey County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a local authority and provides care for up to 4 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 4 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since August 2025.

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Inspection date: 24 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 24 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: SC068827 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. All requirements raised at the last full inspection have been met, and one additional requirement has been raised.

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Findings from the inspection

Most children are preparing to move on from the home. One child has been supported in visiting a semi-independent provision in preparation for their move. Staff advocate for children to ensure that they receive the right help and feel prepared to move on as they approach adulthood. However, children’s access to snacks is restricted because they are locked away. This reduces children’s opportunities to make age-appropriate choices about food and maintain a healthy diet.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a well-maintained and comfortable home. Children engage in education or undertake meaningful activities, such as work experience. One child is studying for their GCSEs, and 2 children are preparing for employment. Staff help children apply for jobs and prepare for interviews. This helps enhance their self- esteem and future employment prospects.

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Findings from the inspection

Regular key-work sessions take place that focus on the individual needs of children. Staff ensure that children can discuss their feelings following an incident. Staff are sensitive to children’s experiences and demonstrate an empathetic, nurturing approach. This helps children feel supported and understood.

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Findings from the inspection

With staff support, children have a deeper understanding of risk and the impact of risk-taking behaviour. As a result of this support, there has been a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of incidents, including missing-from-home episodes.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, a new registered manager has been appointed. Staff feel positive about the care they provide to children and are confident in the leadership of the new manager. Children’s family members echo this view. One child’s parent said that there has been improved communication from staff and reported positive outcomes for their child.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff listen to children, take their views seriously and act on them. The manager thoroughly investigates any allegations children make about staff. The manager consults the local authority designated officer as required and notifies Ofsted. Staff have received additional training to ensure that they know what actions to take when a child makes an allegation.

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Findings from the inspection

When issues regarding staff conduct arise, the registered manager carries out investigations and consults the local authority designated officer and the police if necessary. The manager is considering changes in recruitment practices to ensure Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068827 3 that staff are the right fit for the home. This ensures that the standard of care that children receive is maintained. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068827 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/09/2024 Full Good 06/12/2023 Full Good 07/03/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068827 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children are supported in understanding how to make age-appropriate dietary choices and can access food and snacks without unnecessary restrictions. 1 June 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068827 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Surrey County Council

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Stephanie McDonald, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC068827 7 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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