South London Children's Home Achieves Outstanding Ofsted Rating
A children's home in South London, operated by Southwark Council, has received the highest possible rating from Ofsted, being judged as Outstanding in its recent inspection. The home, which opened in 2024 and cares for five children with social and emotional difficulties, was inspected on December 9 and 10 last year, with the report published in January.
Children Described as Flourishing in Supportive Environment
Inspectors noted that children living at the home are flourishing and thriving in all aspects of their lives. The report highlighted the genuine care and affection shown by staff, which has fostered strong, trusting relationships. One child remarked, If they didn’t care, it wouldn’t be like this, would it? demonstrating how children feel valued and safe in this environment.
The home was rated Outstanding in three key areas:
- The overall experiences and progress of children and young people
- How well children and young people are helped and protected
- The effectiveness of leaders and managers
Educational Progress and Innovative Support Initiatives
Inspectors reported significant improvements in children's engagement with education due to the quality of care provided. All children are making good progress, with some who had been out of education for several years now successfully attending school. Others receive tailored support to meet their individual needs.
To further strengthen educational outcomes, the home has recently established a closer partnership with the local authority's virtual school. As part of this initiative, a teacher now works full-time in the home, liaising with schools and working directly with children to support their attendance and learning. Although this program is new and its impact is still emerging, inspectors noted it sends a powerful message to children that they matter and that staff have high aspirations for their future.
Investment in Local Care Provision
The children's home was jointly funded by Southwark Council and a government grant, with nearly £3 million spent on transforming a previously vacant property into a modern care facility. This investment has enabled children to stay closer to their families, schools, and communities, which has contributed to improved stability and outcomes.
Councillor Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader of Southwark Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Refugees, commented: This outstanding Ofsted judgement is a huge testament to the dedication of our staff and wider support teams. This is fantastic news and I hear that the children told inspectors that they 'loved' living there.
She added: At a time when many councils are being forced to place children far from home due to a lack of quality provision, Southwark is proud to be investing in local, council-run care that puts children first.
The council remains committed to recruiting local foster carers for Southwark children, emphasising their ongoing dedication to providing high-quality care within the community.
