Guildford children’s home achieves Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating, setting the benchmark for excellence in residential services across Surrey 

Surrey County Council is delighted to announce that one of its children’s homes based in Guilford has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted.  

Following an inspection in November 2025, Ofsted praised the home for delivering highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good, contributing to ‘significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children who need help, protection, and care.’ 

This achievement reflects the exceptional care and support provided by the residential staff to children and young people in Surrey, ensuring they thrive in a safe, nurturing environment. 

Children at the home make exceptional progress thanks to a dedicated, empathetic staff team that build warm, trusting relationships and provide tailored support to meet individual needs. The report noted that ‘staff understand the significant impact of their work and how it contributes to children’s development.’ The care model used at the home ensures that children receive individualised support that promotes emotional, social, and educational growth. 

Families describe the care as transformative, with one parent noting their child has ‘grown in confidence and is beginning to believe in themselves again.’ 

This success is underpinned by inspirational leadership from the home’s manager and her team, whose vision and commitment to continuous improvement have created a culture of excellence. The report notes that ‘as a result, staff practice is informed, innovative and consistently meets the highest standards.’ 

Professionals and the Council have recognised this home in Guildford as a model of best practice, which will serve as a benchmark for all local residential services. Its approach will guide improvements across Surrey’s network of homes, ensuring every Surrey child receives the same outstanding care. 

Cllr Jonathan Hulley, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning, added: “This achievement is a fantastic example of what can be accomplished when we put children at the heart of everything we do. This home has set the standard for excellence, and we will use this as a benchmark for all our homes. I want to thank the home manager, her leadership team, and every member of staff for their unwavering commitment to helping children and young people achieve the best possible outcomes. You are making a profound difference to their lives and futures.” 

Surrey currently operates 13 Ofsted-registered residential homes, with five more in development as part of an £18m investment programme. Our goal is to create Surrey homes for Surrey children – keeping children and young people connected to their families, communities, schools, and support networks, and creating the stability they need to thrive.