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

Unique reference number SC029865 Inspector Kevin Whatley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person My Choice Children's Homes Limited Registered person address My Choice Childrens Homes Ltd, Unit 3/A Mill Green Business Estate, Mill Green Road HAYWARDS HEATH West Sussex RH16 1XQ Responsible individual Peter Christopher Kazmarski Registered manager Eva Samantha McNeil Date of last inspection 20/02/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 07/08/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

The home has improved effectiveness since the last inspection, in March 2014. No requirements or recommendations were made on that occasion and none are made as a result of this inspection.

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This inspection

The home continues to make progress in a number of areas with the individual needs of young people remaining the guiding principle of care and practice. An experienced and skilled Registered Manager leads a stable, committed and motivated staff team to consistently deliver high quality care and intervention. As a result young people benefit from living in a settled environment where they make significant progress.

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This inspection

There have been occasions when young people new to the home have displayed increased levels of challenging behaviours, such as damaging property. However a motivated and committed staff team have met the challenges with determination, skill and focus. As a result, the problematic behaviours have decreased significantly, with them responding well to firm, but fair, boundaries, routines and expectations. This has been particularly successful with young people who had histories of running away from care and placing themselves at risk of harm. The levels of restraint at the home are very low. Social workers speak positively of the running of the home and note that they are 'impressed' with the work being done and the significant progress made by young people.

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This inspection

Young people are fully supported to maintain contact and, where necessary, rebuild relationships with parents, carers and others who are important to them. Where appropriate, the organisation funds external individual and family therapy sessions to assist in repairing difficult relationships. Contact arrangements are well known to staff, who assist young people to have positive visits and discuss with them any feelings these can raise. In an excellent approach to this, staff travel with the young 3 of 5 people to support them and ensure they are safe on trips abroad to attend important family occasions. As a result, young people are able to maintain their personal and cultural identities, and develop enhanced levels of self-esteem and confidence.

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This inspection

Young people speak positively of the home and, in particular, the standard of care they receive. Comments included: 'staff really care…I feel safe and I am well looked after.' The home is settled and relaxed, with young people and staff sharing positive relationships. Staff understand the specific needs of young people and encourage them to lead productive lifestyles. Attendance rates for education are very good, which is further supported within an environment where learning is seen as important. The levels of attendance of some young people have shown a significant improvement since they moved into the home. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home caters for up to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2014 Interim good progress 21/10/2013 Full good 10/01/2013 Interim good progress 02/08/2012 Full adequate Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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