Children's Home run by Linden Oak Homes Ltd in Sutton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2794124 1 Registered provider: Linden Oak Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted on 12 August 2024 and is privately owned. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager registered with Ofsted in February 2026.

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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

Date of last inspection: 3 February 2025

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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: 2794124 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/02/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2794124 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they are happy, and they report honest and open relationships with staff. Children are settled and feel supported with their day-to-day needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming and comfortable and provides a warm and nurturing environment where children feel at ease. Children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms to reflect their preferences, and photos of their activities are displayed in the communal areas, helping them feel a sense of belonging. The home benefits from a garden space that children regularly use and enjoy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care plans are individualised for each child and clearly describe how staff support them and their routines. Leaders thoroughly understand each child’s care planning arrangements and keep their plans under review; they also work closely with placing authorities to ensure that care remains safe, suitable and reflective of children’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager takes an active role in supporting children’s education and has worked closely with placing authorities to secure education arrangements that are suitable for each child’s needs. This has resulted in education planning progressing for one child to start school in September, and a secondary school place being secured for the other child, supporting continuity in learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are met. Staff register children with local health professionals and encourage them to attend appointments as needed. Leaders have arranged access to a therapist, whom children see regularly. This provides children with a safe and trusted space to discuss their feelings and experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say staff encourage them to participate in activities at weekends, such as going to local parks, museums and a trampolining centre. Staff also encourage children to explore individual interests and hobbies. For example, one child enjoys baking, and another enjoys fashion. These experiences help children build confidence, develop new skills, and enjoy positive time away from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children understand what is likely to happen next for them. The registered manager works with placing authorities to plan children’s moves carefully, so changes take place at a pace children can manage and understand.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff make time to listen to children. They use ‘time to talk’ conversations, supported with observations, to understand children’s wishes, worries and views. This supports staff in building trusting relationships and helps children feel included and valued in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2794124 4 Staff help children explore their identity and culture and learn about equality. They use children’s preferred names and encourage them to participate in cultural and religious activities that matter to them. For example, staff helped one child prepare and observe the beginning and end of Ramadan in a safe and meaningful way.

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

Staff know the children well. They understand children’s needs, behaviours and vulnerabilities, and they provide support that helps them stay safe. Staff take time to speak with children about situations that may place them or others at risk, helping children understand their own safety and the safety of others living in the home.

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

Staff have clear procedures to follow when responding to concerns, allegations and complaints or when physical interventions are necessary to ensure children’s safety. The registered manager ensures that care plans are reviewed when children’s behaviours or needs change over time. Where appropriate, leaders seek oversight from the local authority designated officer to provide transparency and reassurance. These arrangements support children’s safety both in the home and in the wider community.

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

Children are increasingly settled and able to manage their behaviours more positively. Staff consistently support children and help them develop safer ways to manage their emotions and behaviours, which has contributed to improved wellbeing. The registered manager oversees this practice effectively, ensuring that children continue to feel safe and supported.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff follow agreed procedures to help them return home safely. Missing-from-home episodes are recorded and shared with other professionals so that information and actions are coordinated. When children return, staff support them sensitively by speaking with them about what happened and how they are feeling. Staff and leaders reflect on each episode and use learning to strengthen safety planning and reduce the likelihood of such incidents happening again.

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

Safer recruitment procedures are followed. Leaders ensure that all required checks are carried out and that only suitably experienced staff work with children in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last full inspection, leadership arrangements have changed. A newly appointed manager, previously the deputy manager, registered with Ofsted in February 2026. The registered manager is working towards achieving the required leadership qualification in line with regulations. A new responsible individual has been in post since May 2025 and has been assessed as suitable by the regulator.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers set an ambitious direction for the home. Leaders actively plan and invest in workforce development to improve children’s experiences and progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2794124 5 Leaders and managers work closely together and lead the home with purpose. They build positive relationships with staff and children and model respectful, professional practice. Staff speak positively about leadership and say that leaders create a culture that helps them provide consistent and good-quality care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak warmly and positively about working with children. They work collaboratively as a team and support one another in practice. This teamwork contributes to stable relationships, positive routines and children’s progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders ensure that staff receive appropriate training and develop a strong understanding of the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders support staff through regular supervision and meaningful appraisals. Leaders organise frequent, structured supervision that helps staff reflect on practice, understand children’s needs, and develop confidence in day ‑ to ‑ day care. Leaders also receive appraisals consistently and keep them up to date. During appraisal discussions, leaders explore staff roles, challenges, strengths and development needs, and they also recognise individual achievements. The registered manager records reflective appraisals that demonstrate a clear understanding of each staff member’s development and how leaders can support continued professional growth.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals report positive experiences of working with the home. Social workers report good working relationships with staff and say that they communicate reliably and share information openly. Professionals highlight that staff are attentive, responsive and transparent, which supports effective partnership working and positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2794124 6

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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: 2794124 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Linden Oak Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 112 Morden Road, London SW19 3BP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Tania Richardson

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Inspectors

Stella Namakula, Social Care Inspector Kelly Monniot, Regional Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home: 2794124 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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