Ofsted rate children’s residential home ‘outstanding’ for second year running

For the second year running, Ofsted inspectors have rated a Shropshire Council-run children’s home ‘outstanding’. Inspectors were effusive in their praise, with Chelmaren House achieving the top ratings in ‘overall experiences and progress of children and young people’, ‘how well children and young people are helped and protected’, and ‘effectiveness of leaders and managers’. 

Inspectors concluded that Cherlmaren House ‘provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improve outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care’.  

Cherlmaren House is one of seven residential homes run by Shropshire Council. The long-term aim is to help children move onto foster care, or return to their families. Children and young people in the seven homes are given the professional help and support they need to thrive.  

Chelmaren and the other six houses represent a breakthrough in residential care. By developing its own homes and employing its own staff, the council can reduce the need to use private care providers. This makes it easier for vulnerable young people to stay in Shropshire, so that they are close to their family, friends and schools.  

The development is part of the council’s plans to transform social care for children in Shropshire, giving better opportunities to the most vulnerable young people in the county, whilst reducing its spending with third party providers at a time when it must make significant savings. 

Ofsted inspectors highlighted the significance that staff and managers place on building strong and positive relationships with children, noting that ‘one child said, ‘I love all the staff’. According to the report, staff support ‘children to make exceptional and sustained progress in their lives’ so that ‘children leaving the home have extremely positive experiences’. 

Inspectors praised how children are sensitively introduced to the home, allowing children to settle in quickly. (Photo from other residential children’s home.)

Inspectors also recognised the quality of leadership and management, and praised staff, saying: ‘The home has a diverse core team of staff who are experienced and highly skilled. Turnover of staff is minimal’. The report continues: ‘Staff morale remains high, and they are positive about the nurturing support they receive from the manager. The stability and expertise of the staff team contribute to achieving excellent outcomes for children.’ 

Shropshire Council continues to invest in new residential care homes for children, and the latest ‘outstanding’ rating comes soon after the opening of Pebble House, another new home.  

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said: 

“This is an absolutely incredible achievement, and I cannot praise highly enough the whole team at Chelmaren. To receive an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted for two consecutive years is absolutely exceptional as to do so means that the team have actually improved upon their work from the previous year.

“The team deserve their plaudits: the quality of care they provide, day-in, day-out, makes such a massive difference to the lives of Shropshire’s vulnerable children. This is fantastic news for everyone involved.” 

Read the full Ofsted report here: 50245719 (ofsted.gov.uk) 

We’re looking for more fantastic care professionals to join our children’s residential home teams across Shropshire. Right now, we’d love to hear from the following: 

Deputy Managers: Deputy Manager – Children’s Residential Care – Shropshire Council 

Shift Leaders: Shift Leader – Childrens Services – Shropshire Council 

Full-time residential care workers: Residential Care Worker – Child Services – Shropshire Council 

Part-time residential care workers: Residential Care Worker (PT) – Child Services – Shropshire Council