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

Unique reference number SC014650 Inspector Emeline Evans 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 Lorna Jayne Roberts Date of last inspection 13/05/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 13/01/2015

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Previous inspection good 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 sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has experienced a change with the group dynamics in the home. Staff work in partnership with professionals to assess young people’s needs prior to moving into the home. The recent transition has been managed well by staff and has resulted in new challenges for the staff team. Young people are benefitting as a result of a nurturing environment with clear boundaries and beginning on the journey of reflecting on the impact of their behaviours. However, some young people continue to be absent without authorisation and place themselves at risk. The home is working with professionals and the young people to enable a reduction in these behaviours. Despite young people’s engagement in these behaviours young people report that they feel safe and that staff try their best to provide them with advice and guidance.

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This inspection

One young person has left the home since the last inspection. This was a very well facilitated planned move to the family home. The home receives positive feedback from the young person, who continues to flourish and is engaging and achieving in a local college. The home worked closely with the placing authority to ensure the welfare of the young person was a priority during the transition process.

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This inspection

Prior to this inspection, concerns were raised to Ofsted. These concerns were looked at during the course of the inspection and no evidence was found at this time to indicate this to be the case. Staff set clear boundaries and young people know what is expected of them. As a result, young people continue to benefit from a child- centred approach from the staff team. Since the last inspection, there has been a high amount of risk taking behaviours recorded. In particular, young people missing from care. Staff are actively concerned for the young person’s safety and all that is possible is done, in line with each young person’s protocol and risk assessments, to locate the young person and return them home. There is effective liaison with families and the police, and staff look at minimising the risk of recurrence. However, 3 of 6 there is no evaluation of this behaviour to examine trends or issues, therefore staff

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This inspection

are not fully able to reflect and learn to inform future practice.

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This inspection

Young people live in a home that is comfortable and young people can personalise their bedrooms to their own taste. The young people have incentive plans in place to keep their rooms clean and tidy. Staff will encourage young people to engage and support them as necessary to achieve these goals. This is an ongoing process with some young people and work is being focused on building on their self-esteem. It was noted that there was mould around the windows in some areas. There is currently no cleaning schedule in operation to ensure these areas are kept clean. The use of bedroom door alarms is currently in operation for the purpose of safeguarding young people. This use of surveillance is detailed in young people’s placement plans however; the home has not sought consent from the placing authorities on the use of this measure. In November due to concerns a young person may be leaving the building at night and also allowing other unknown people

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This inspection

into the building; new lighting and motion sensors were installed externally. In addition, restrictors were replaced and are checked daily by staff.

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This inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations set at the last inspection. Monitoring takes place as required, by the independent visitor and the manager. There is a current annual development plan which has been informed by the monitoring. The manager is currently reviewing this for the forthcoming year. There has been two complaints from young people since the last inspection. These have been fully investigated and the young person were happy with the outcome from the home. This demonstrates to young people that their views are listened to and acted upon.

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This inspection

The home continues to work effectively in partnership with external agencies such as substance misuse workers, projects specialising in child sexual exploitation, sexual health clinics and the local police. Allegations or suspicions of harm are promptly shared with external safeguarding agencies for consultation and appropriate action taken. This helps to safeguard young people. Significant events relating to the safety and welfare of young people have been notified to Ofsted appropriately. This ensures the regulator is kept up-to-date with matters of safeguarding within the home. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children's home that is registered to accommodate three young people who have emotional and or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/05/2014 Full good 25/02/2014 Interim inadequate progress 23/07/2013 Full good 09/01/2013 Interim satisfactory progress

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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) obtain consent from the children's placing authorities for the use of surveillance. (Regulation 22 (1)(a)) 28/02/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 review incidents of challenging behaviour in particular children missing from care, to examine trends or issues emerging from them (NMS 3.21)  ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment, which is clean and free from hazards with specific reference to, having a cleaning schedule is in operation. (NMS 10.3) 5 of 6 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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