Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC390785 Inspection date 08/01/2014 Inspector Kevin Whatley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 22/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is owned by a private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation to three young people of either sex who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The organisation also provides on-site education through its independent school which is DfE registered.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection, May 2013 the home was judged as being adequate; one requirement and four recommendations were made. A vast majority of these have now been addressed. However, one recommendation could not be fully reviewed on this occasion.

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Progress

Young people are no longer assisted to purchase cigarettes. staff are fully aware that to do so, would be collusive and not in keeping with the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Where it had been suspected that some young people had been obtaining cigarettes from certain shops, the police have been informed.

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Progress

Behaviour management in the home has improved. No further significant incidents of bullying type behaviours have occurred with staff implementing appropriate boundaries in a more consistent manner. Young people more vulnerable to intimidation or harassment have engaged in key-work sessions aimed at raising their awareness of what is expected from appropriate relationships to ensure they do not feel obliged or pressured into negative peer activities. Similarity those young people who display bullying type behaviours have been given clear messages that this will not be tolerated and have discussed their issues with staff which has resulted in a more settled and relaxed home.

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Progress

Young people who had previously engaged in high levels of offending behaviour have substantially decreased them; to an extent where they are no longer involved in the committing of crime. Staff provide good support to those young people subject to criminal court orders and encourage them to learn from the consequences of their actions and lead more socially acceptable lifestyles. Physical intervention training is now provided to staff in good time. A vast majority of staff are now trained in the model of restraint adopted by the home, while new staff are scheduled to undertake this in the very near future. The homes approach to managing challenging behaviour continues to place de-escalation as a guiding principle. This results in a culture where no restraints have been required since the last inspection and indeed for some time prior to that.

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Progress

On-site education is currently not provided at the home and has not been since shortly after the last inspection; there are no immediate plans to offer this, although the on-site provision remains registered with the DfE. This means that the final recommendation concerning the need for care and education staff to work together in a more cohesive fashion cannot be assessed. All young people are currently accessing education outside of the home. Attendance rates vary from very good to low; however for this cohort of young people to access the levels of education they do is a marked improvement and confirms a greater emphasis on supporting their individual learning needs. Staff provide extremely good support and guidance including accompanying young people in college. For some young people this has assisted them to make significant progress, not only in their education, but also in their personal development within social settings which in turn has considerably

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Progress

improved their levels of confidence and self-esteem.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the home has continued to offer young people a suitable standard of care. A number of transitions have occurred including the Registered Manager being promoted to a more senior role within the organisation and subsequently a new acting manager being appointed. Young people say, 'things are going really well' and that they have no concerns or complaints. The acting manager displays an enthusiasm and keenness to raise standards further and to improve the quality of care provided. Placing social workers and family members praised the efforts of the acting manager and staff team in general, in particular their commitment towards supporting young people who display particularly high risk taking behaviours and the progress they are making. Comments included, 'the home cannot do enough…communication is excellent'. Staff speak positively of the support and guidance provided by the acting manager and note the improvements made

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Progress

since his appointment, such as more consistent boundaries and structures.

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Progress

The acting manager is aware of the need to submit an application for him to be put forward for the vacant Registered Managers position; the practice manager for the organisation confirmed the application is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to Ofsted in the very near future.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) Appoint an individual to manage the home; in particular ensure if a new manager is in post and is not registered, there is an application in process, received by Ofsted, within 28 days of the appointment. (Regulation 7 (1)) 28/02/2014

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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