Children make ‘exceptional progress’ at ‘Outstanding’ Extended Hope home for Surrey children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties

Extended Hope, a Surrey residential home providing a short-break service for children and young people who are facing a mental health crisis, has been graded as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted following an inspection in August 2024.  

In a glowing report, Ofsted’s inspectors noted, “Children make exceptional progress in relation to their emotional well-being when they come to stay at this home. This is because they are looked after by staff who are deeply committed to building and maintaining positive relationships with them.”   

The home, which cares for up to two young people at a time, is operated by Surrey County Council in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. It offers support to children and young people facing an emotional and mental health crisis requiring, following assessment, a respite or crisis bed for up to seven days. As well as supporting the young person themselves, Extended Hope and its staff also support the family to create a plan of care to support the young person and their family when they go home. 

Recognising the care received from professionals in the home, Inspectors noted; “The processes that are followed when children move into and out of the home are extremely thorough and thoughtful” with one child quoted as having told them that “The staff should be praised for what they do, they meet us with open arms, and they make us feel safe.’ 

Ofsted’s report goes on to state that children and young people at Extended Hope “benefit from having opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities. This includes activities that introduce them to therapeutic strategies that help to improve their confidence and self-esteem.” The report adds that “parents and external professionals spoken to during the inspection were unanimous in their praise for the quality of care that the children receive”. 

Reflecting on this outcome, Clare Curran, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, said: 

“I’m delighted to see the Extended Hope service getting the recognition it deserves. One of the priorities in the Surrey Health and Wellbeing Strategy is to support children and young people with their mental health, including focusing on access to early, appropriate support to prevent further escalation of need, and supporting the emotional wellbeing of parents and care givers. 

“Extended Hope, and the wider Hope Service, play an important part in delivering this for children and young people across Surrey at a challenging time in their lives. Ofsted’s judgement makes clear they are doing so to a high standard for which they can be proud.”  

The full inspection report can be found on the Ofsted website: 50256331 (ofsted.gov.uk). 

You can read more about the Hope Service, including the Extended Hope crisis service, Hope school offer, and free fortnightly online parent and carer support sessions on a range of topics on the Hope Service website. 

Notes to editors: 

• Read the full Ofsted report for the Extended Hope Service following the inspection which took place on 6 and 7 August 2024 here: 50256331 (ofsted.gov.uk) 

• Extended Hope was previously rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted in May 2023: 50219502 (ofsted.gov.uk) 

• Extended Hope is a crucial service offering young people support close to home, in Surrey. Being close to home makes it easier for children to stay connected to their families, friends and their local communities, which is so important for their wellbeing, and ultimately their outcomes.  

• Alongside a short-breaks home, the Extended Hope service also provides an out of hours emergency support service maintained by psychiatric nurses who can give support and care at a time when most day services are closed. 

• Extended Hope is part of the Hope Service, a multi-agency service for young people in Surrey aged 11-18 who are experiencing complex mental health, emotional, social and behavioural challenges which cannot be met by one agency alone and could cause a placement breakdown or may require a psychiatric hospital admission. 

• It is a joint partnership between health services, children’s services and education – provided by Surrey County Council and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – who work together to provide support to young people in the community and through day programme provision. 

• The service is provided by a dedicated team of social workers, nurses, teachers, psychologists, art/drama therapists, psychiatrists, a systemic family worker and activity workers. 

• Free, online support sessions are available to any Surrey parents/carers, with upcoming sessions covering topics including self harm, transition to adult services, online safety, substance and alcohol misuse and child exploitation and county lines. To find out more or to book (for free), parents/carers should visit: Parent and carer support | Hope Service. 

• Surrey Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Surrey Health and Well-Being Strategy – update 2022 | Healthy Surrey.