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

Unique reference number SC390785 Inspector Stephen Collett 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 Kenneth Michael Bedwell Date of last inspection 11/09/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 27/02/2015

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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

The home was judged to be good for overall effectiveness at the last full inspection in September 2014, and this standard of practice has been maintained during the intervening period. At the full inspection one requirement and three recommendations were made, relating to how practice could be further improved. The requirement has been met, and the majority of recommendations acted upon.

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This inspection

Risk assessments undertaken to ensure the welfare and safety of young people are now more robust, and staff are familiar with the content of these and strategies in place for each young person. Staff implement the strategies identified in individual risk assessments and consequently young people are better protected from harm.

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This inspection

Although significant progress has been made in terms of implementing effective risk assessments, these documents do not always make reference to all the known vulnerabilities associated with individual young people, particularly in relation to background and historic concerns.

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This inspection

Two of the three recommendations made at the last inspection have been acted upon. Young people's meetings are now a more effective forum for young people to express their views on the day-to-day running of the home, and young people make a full contribution towards the agenda. Management take young people's views into account, and respond to the issues highlighted by young people in these meetings.

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This inspection

Careful consideration is given to whether individual young people would benefit from accessing the organisations therapeutic resources, and where it is felt that young people's needs would be better met through accessing external specialist support, referrals are made in a timely manner. Young people consequently benefit from receiving support tailored to their individual needs. 3 of 5 There is a development plan in place for the home, but the recommendation made at the full inspection has not been fully acted upon. The plan has a strong focus on maintaining good day-to-day practice, and does not focus on what developments would ensure continuous improvement. Actions do not have associated timescales and identified individuals with responsibility for progressing these.

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This inspection

Overall, young people make good progress at the home, and benefit from living in a calm, well-managed environment, where they develop a sense of security and belonging. Young people generally engage well in their chosen college courses and school timetables. Some young people make excellent progress in college, and this develops their self-esteem and motivates them to engage with their independent living skills plan. Other young people experience more challenges in relation to preparation for leaving care, but additional support has been provided where this occurs.

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This inspection

Staff have a thorough understanding of the individual needs of young people, and provide consistently good levels of care. A key-working system is well embedded in practice, and staff are familiar with the responsibilities the role brings. Young people enjoy positive relationships with the staff and feel well supported. One young person commented 'I love it here'. Peer relationships are excellent, and young people support one another and celebrate individual achievements.

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This inspection

Any child protection concerns are promptly shared with the appropriate authorities and measures are put in place to support the young people concerned. A pro-active response is taken when young people go missing from the home and agreed protocols and procedures are implemented. Young people report that they feel safe in the home and there are no concerns relating to bullying. Management and staff have a thorough understanding of young people's vulnerabilities and are alert to the potential risk of sexual exploitation.

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This inspection

The home is well managed and staff feel they receive the support needed to ensure their professional development. The organisation provides a comprehensive range of training opportunities, and staff are able to access courses which are relevant to the particular needs of young people residing in the home. The home is well maintained and provides a calm and homely environment where young people feel secure and well supported.

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This inspection

As a result of this inspection two recommendations are made to further improve and develop practice in the home. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

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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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/09/2014 Full good 08/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 22/05/2013 Full adequate 07/01/2013 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 children's safety and welfare are promoted in the home; specifically, ensure that risk assessments relating to keeping young people safe, take account of historic information regarding young people's individual vulnerabilities. (NMS 4.1)  ensure there is a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home; in particular ensure the plan identifies actions to be taken, accountability and timescales. (NMS 15.2) 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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