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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection in September 2014, the home has sustained the good level of care and support provided to young people. The recommendations made have been acted upon.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two recommendations were made at the interim inspection in February 2015. The Registered Manager has ensured that young people’s risk assessments take into account relevant background information. Consequently, risk assessments are a more effective tool in helping staff prevent young people coming to harm.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The development plan now contains more specific detail regarding actions to be taken, and identifies timescales and those responsible for progressing these.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have made significant progress in some aspects of their lives. They are learning independence skills and becoming more self-confident. One young person has developed a good social network of friends, and enjoys attending local community clubs and leisure facilities

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people make excellent progress at school and college. They are supported and encouraged to do well in their studies, and as a result some have done exceptionally well in their examinations. When young people do experience difficulties at their education setting, staff quickly liaise with teachers to help the young person resolve the issues.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has made a successful transition to semi-independent accommodation. Staff assisted the young person to make his views known during the planning process. This helped ensure he was provided with good accommodation and appropriate levels of support following the move. Staff maintained contact with the young person in the weeks after he left the home, ensuring that he did not experience a sense of isolation.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has moved into the home in recent weeks. The Registered Manager and staff thoroughly assessed the likely impact this would have on the current residents and put in place strategies to address any issues. As a result, there has been minimal impact, the young person has settled well. He has quickly established positive relationships with staff and young people. A Social Worker reported that ‘staff set boundaries in a nurturing way, and provide young people with good information about how they will be cared for’ when they are new to the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff quickly develop a thorough understanding of the needs of young people admitted to the home. A good standard of care planning ensures high priority needs are immediately addressed. Despite this generally good standard, the Registered Manager was not aware of the change in legal status of one young person. Consequently, no planning had been undertaken for keeping the young person informed of developments.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say they feel safe in the home and they identify staff they can speak to about their worries. One young person spoke about the sensitive approach staff take when she experiences high levels of anxiety, and the actions they take to keep her safe. The Registered Manager effectively challenges other agencies, and advocates strongly for young people to receive specialist services to overcome their difficulties.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Robust policies and procedures are followed when young people are absent or go missing from the home. Staff are familiar with the vulnerabilities of each young person and therefore escalate concerns appropriately when a young person is identified as being at risk of harm. Positive working relationships with external agencies, such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, facilitate good consultations. This enables staff to adopt therapeutic approaches in their interactions with young people.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people develop age appropriate independence skills, making them better prepared for semi-independent living. Managers and staff liaise with placing authorities regarding transition arrangements for young people preparing to move on. Despite this, one young person said that she was not being kept informed of progress on her transition plan by her placing authority.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff feel well supported by the Registered Manager. They express confidence in his ability to resolve any misunderstandings among the team relating to best practice. Staff receive regular supervision, allowing them to reflect on their practice and identify their development needs. Team meetings provide opportunities for the team to negotiate consistent approaches to caring for the young people.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The organisation provides a comprehensive training programme, enabling staff to develop the knowledge and skills required to meet the specific needs of young people at the home. However, not all staff are up to date with team teach training, which underpins the home’s approach to behaviour management. Although physical restraint is rarely used the shortfall relating to team teach training means staff have not had the opportunity to update their awareness of best practice in this area of work.

p.3

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 education through its independent school which is DfE registered.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

27/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

08/01/2014 Interim Satisfactory progress

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure the registered person has a high level of understanding of the needs of the children in their care; specifically, the Registered Manager should ensure he is kept up to date regarding young people's legal status, so that young people can be appropriately advised and supported during care proceedings. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 52, paragraph 10.5)

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should work with the placing authority to ensure that each child's transition is planned; specifically, ensure that transition plans are regularly reviewed to avoid delay in the planning process. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 57, paragraph 11.9)

p.6

Recommendations

 Ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs; specifically, ensure that staff undertake updated team teach training. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

p.6

What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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.

p.7

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people, and each other, and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people, and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.7

Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.8