Children's Home run by Child First Limited in West Sussex

Unique reference number SC044259 Inspector Jennie Christopher Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Child First Limited Registered person address Child First Ltd PO Box 2050 Steyning West Sussex BN44 3XQ Responsible individual Terry Goble Registered manager Sandra Jane Whyte / POST VACANT Date of last inspection 20/06/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 28/01/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

The home was last inspected in June 2014, where it was judged as adequate overall and good in outcomes for young people and in the quality of care provided. Staff continue to make a positive difference to young people's lives. A young person’s mother commented positively about the home and staff and was particularly pleased they had supported her child to reduce their drug use and gain part- time employment. Staff form positive relationships with young people, ensuring they continue to make progress. Young people comment positively about the home and their relationships with staff, suggesting ‘everything is good’ and that they have ‘no problems at all’. Those who have moved on maintain strong links with staff through use of the on site independent living provision in preparation for their next move.

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This inspection

Planning prior to young people moving into the home is thorough, to ensure staff are fully aware of individual's needs and risk. The staff and management team are thoughtful in how they will meet individual’s needs safely while in the home and community. Records are clear and effectively evaluate young people’s progress. This includes for some, significant decreases in substance misuse, offending and incidents of being missing from care. Attendance in education and training is positive. Those who struggle in formal education benefit from planned daily activities, including working towards qualifications in key skills. When approaching adulthood, individuals benefit from a clear, well planned package of independent living skills, ensuring they are ready for their next move.

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This inspection

Staff strive to create a calm environment where young people feel safe. Overt bullying has dramatically decreased. However the message of anti-bullying is not promoted regularly in group meetings. Consistency in approach to behaviour management leads to limited use of restraint. Staff increasingly focus on de- escalation and redirection rather than holding. Sanctions are fair and proportionate with much less reliance on financial penalty and withholding of money. Evaluation of 3 of 5 the impact and effectiveness of sanctions results in a young person- centred approach to unwanted or anti-social behaviour. Child protection and safeguarding concerns are responded to swiftly and in an appropriate manner.

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This inspection

The home currently does not have a Registered Manager. However the acting manager has been deemed appropriate and is awaiting final checks. They have worked in the organisation for many years and have developed their skills effectively since the last inspection. This includes increased organisation and reflection and the ability to motivate the team. Staff are confident in their roles and understand the needs of all young people living in the home. Key workers are well informed and actively seek good outcomes for their key child. Partnership working is entrenched in daily practice and sound relationships with youth offending teams, education, the police and specialist support agencies ensure young people continue to have the support they require. Communication between family and key professionals is consistent and agreements effectively recorded. External monitoring in relation to Regulation 33 highlights areas for improvement. Quarterly evaluation by the home

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This inspection

manager identifies any significant trends and patterns and when required, informs practice development. The home's development plan reflects external and internal monitoring. Complaints are responded to swiftly and resolved to the complainant’s satisfaction. Notifications are timely in their arrival to those listed in Schedule 5. The requirements and recommendations made in the previous inspection have been mostly met. The building now has a homely feel and young people are pleased with the colour schemes, décor and soft furnishings. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation. It is registered to accommodate up to five young people of either gender who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and who are unable, for the moment, to live in a family setting. The home aims to support young people to return to family, move to foster carers or to move on to independent accommodation.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2014 Full adequate 31/10/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 30/05/2013 Full adequate 03/12/2012 Interim good progress

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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

 ensure staff in the home recognise and deal with any indications or incidents of bullying promptly and intervene positively, engaging with those who bully as well as those who are bullied (NMS 3.12) 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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