Amegreen receives hat-trick of ‘Outstanding’ awards from Ofsted

Three children’s homes across Hampshire and West Berkshire are celebrating after receiving ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted judgments following recent inspections.

Jasper House and Barn Owl were awarded the Outstanding rating in all three assessment categories. Willow Brae was awarded the Outstanding rating in two categories and good in the third.

Run by Amegreen Children’s Services, Willow Brae is a three-bedroom home for children aged between five and 18 with learning disabilities. Jasper House and Barn Owl are three and five-bedroom homes for five to 18-year-olds with social, emotional and mental health issues. 

Jasper House received an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted grade for the second year running since its opening in 2022. 

Based near Reading, independent Amegreen provides a community of small, bespoke children’s homes across rural West Berkshire and Hampshire for some of the most vulnerable children in society. 

The reports said the homes provide highly effective services, contributing to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care. 

Ofsted reported that the children at Jasper House receive exceptional care from dedicated, skilful staff, who have created an environment where the children feel safe and secure. 

The children living at Willow Brae are reported to be thriving. Staff are attuned to the children’s needs and ‘excellent care and consistency from the staff have contributed to children making significant progress’.

At Barn Owl there is ‘great focus from staff on supporting children to better manage their emotions and to express themselves positively. This has led to children becoming safer and more confident’.

Director of Amegreen Children’s Services Rachel Redgwell said: “Hampshire desperately needs more homes like ours to help vulnerable children and particularly allowing them to stay as close to home as possible, something the government is very behind in supporting ‘local homes for local children’. We have made a commitment to supporting local children and their families in enabling children to remain in their local communities and attend local schools where at all possible. 

“We pride ourselves on creatively developing each of our homes to the needs of the children, whether they have learning disabilities, mental health concerns, or have experienced significant loss and trauma. 

“We are exceptionally proud of our teams, who work consistently to ensure our children feel part of a community. This collection of Ofsted Outstanding judgments is a great recognition of all their hard work.”

Amegreen has just announced the opening of Squirrel Lodge, its newest children’s home for children aged eight to 18 based in Hampshire.