Children's Home run by Bramley Care Limited in West Sussex

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The staff are committed to working positively with the young people.  The young people benefit from their good relationships with all members of the stable staff team.  Staff understand the importance of education and there are good links with the school and colleges.  Staff are enthusiastic and work hard to give young people positive experiences.  The home has good links with outside agencies.  Young people say that they feel safe living in the home.  Staff have a good understanding of young people’s behaviours.  Young people are supported to attend a wide range of activities.

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Requirements

Notify, without delay, the local authority for the area in which the children’s home is located of every admission of a child into the home and every discharge of a child from the home. (Regulation 41(1)) 15/12/15

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Requirements

Ensure an independent person inspects such of the home’s records as the may be required. In particular seek permission from placing authorities to review their records when relevant. (Regulation 44 (2)(b) 15/12/15

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Requirements

Ensure that children’s case records are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(c) 15/12/15

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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

The children’s guide should help children understand what the day to day routines of the home are (what happens in the home). (Guide to Children’s homes Regulations, page 24, paragraph 4.22)

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Information about this children's home

 The home is a privately owned therapeutic unit and provides care and accommodation for up to six boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

good

The young people have begun to progress well since moving into the home, one young person has successfully moved on and remains in contact with the staff.

p.6

good

Although the home has only been in operation since February 2015, all the young people have come from the company’s other homes, and were given the opportunity to move. They already knew each other from school and staff from the other homes transferred, this meant that the transition was easier and young people could continue to have positive relationships with a staff team that already knew them and understood their behaviours.

p.6

good

Staff spend quality time with young people. On their return from school they have a snack and talk to staff about their day. There are daily handover meetings where young people talk about any issues from the previous evening or from school. They are supported in challenging each other’s behaviours within a safe supportive environment. When asked about the handovers, a young person reported ‘they are useful, it’s better to tell people how you are feeling so they can help you’. A relative commented, ‘X has a good therapist he can talk to and he attends handover meetings which he says really help him.’

p.6

good

Staff see education as an important part of young people’s lives. The organisation has its own school, all the young people are in full time education spending time between school and college. Some young people had concerns about starting college and the issues this could have for them. Over the summer, holiday’s staff were able to talk through scenarios and any concerns which helped the young people’s transitions. Staff from the home support the young people in school and college and will supervise breaks and lunch times.

p.6

good

The school has a handover every morning so they are aware of any issues; they also give a handover to the home at the end of the day. The young people were observed completing homework during the evening with support from staff. A relative commented, ‘X is in college two days a week and is really enjoying his course; he has done very well educationally.’ Another commented, ‘X is doing really well at school, I’m really pleased.’

p.6

good

The young people have several forums where they can bring up complaints; this can be done in a daily handover meeting, house meeting, keywork or through the therapist. There have been no complaints since the home opened, a young person spoken knew how to complain if he wanted to but said ‘everything’s good’. The young people are supported to begin to learn independence skills. They are given the opportunity to undertake a four-week programme where they receive the equivalent of job seekers allowance and have to budget for food, clothes, toiletries and activities. They complete a healthy balanced menu and go food shopping with staff. One young person who was doing very well was eager to show off his menu and talk about how he planned his budget, he commented, ‘I like doing my independence; I’m getting really good at budgeting.’

p.6

good

The young people are in good health and are all registered with the local GP, dentist and opticians and all checks are up to date. As part of their independence, young people are encouraged and supported to make their own health appointments.

p.7

good

Staff support young people in attending a wide variety of activities, due to the high risk of the young people, these are individually risk assessed to ensure that they are safe. Young people will talk openly in handover meetings if there have been any issues during or after activities have taken place.

p.7

good

Staff understand the importance of family contact and support and facilitate this to happen. Each young person has a contact plan in place and staff record behaviours before and after contact in order to monitor any potential issues. One family member commented, ‘I can’t travel to the home but have met staff that have brought X to see me. I think the staff know and understand him very well.’ Another commented, ‘I have regular contact by phone and attend every meeting; I am fully involved in X’s life.’ Another commented, ‘I have visited the home and was made to feel very welcome.’

p.7

good

There is a robust medication policy in place, staff regularly check medication and it is stored and administered appropriately. There are consent forms on file and a letter from GPs stating what household medication the home can administer to young people.

p.7

good

The home is decorated to a very high standard and the young people take pride in their environment, one commented, ‘I love my bedroom it’s really big and I keep it tidy.’ Young people are involved on a rota basis in cooking and clearing away, they also have weekend chores such as hoovering and polishing, this supports their sense of belonging. A family member commented, ‘I have visited the home and thought it was lovely, X keeps his room tidy and has everything he needs.’ Judgement grade

p.7

good

The young people live in a safe environment. All health and safety checks are completed and up to date. They have regular fire drills including night evacuations ensuring that they know how to leave the building safely.

p.8

good

Due to the level of risk there are extra security measures in place; each bedroom is alarmed and a listening device is on the upstairs landing to ensure that young people are safe. Social workers, parents and young people have signed to say that they are in agreement with this.

p.8

good

All staff have undertaken training in safeguarding as well as child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and self-harm, in order to recognise concerns and keep young people safe.

p.8

good

A family member commented, ‘I don’t know what would have happened to X if it wasn’t for the home, I know that he is happy and safe.’ An independent reviewing officer commented, ‘the home works closely with myself and the social worker, X is safe in the home.’

p.8

good

Before coming to the home young people and families are spoken to about its ethos and expectations. A family member commented, ‘the home does a brilliant job, X’s behaviour has improved, he knows what’s expected of him and I’m very proud of him.’

p.8

good

The young people are given a young person’s guide prior to coming to the home, this is informative and child friendly but does not inform them of the day to day routine of the home.

p.8

good

The young people are supported by staff and the therapist in preparing for their reviews, this enables them to be fully involved in their care planning. An independent reviewing officer commented, ‘the quality of reports for reviews is good and young people have input into these; staff have been able to support X in being able to express himself in his review.’

p.8

good

There have been no incidents of young people going missing since the home opened, there is a good staff ratio and they are aware of the missing from home policy and the action to take if young people do go missing. There are good links with the local missing person’s team and the home informs them of all admissions and discharges. The manager completes a pro forma which is sent to the team with a photo, this means that if young people did go missing the police are aware of the risks and will respond straight away, this safeguards the young people.

p.8

good

The home does not notify the local authority of admission or discharges into the home and this needs to be completed due to the high risks involved.

p.8

good

The young people spoken to say that they feel safe in the home and that they would talk to staff if they felt they wanted to abscond.

p.9

good

The young people have risk assessments on file which are monitored by the manager and updated when necessary.

p.9

good

The young people do not have access to a computer in the home due to the level of risk; they can however use computers at school and college, which are secure and monitored.

p.9

good

When they started college the young people asked the manager if they could have a mobile phone, this was discussed with the staff and therapist. Staff understood that young people might feel isolated from their peers by not having a phone. It was agreed that they could have a phone without a camera or internet access and have to be handed in when they got in the car to return to the home. This has given the young people a sense of responsibility while risks are still managed.

p.9

good

Recruitment is robust; all checks are completed and verified before staff begin work. The home uses the Disclosure and Barring service updates, a copy is kept in the home.

p.9

good

The manager has been registered since the home opened in February 2015 and has the relevant experience having previously worked in the company’s other homes. She is currently completing her Level 5 qualification.

p.9

good

The manager and staff have a good insight to the needs and behaviours of the young people and have high aspirations for them. An IRO commented, ‘I have regular progress reports and staff work in the best interest of young people now and for the future.’

p.9

good

Feedback is obtained from young people, families, social workers and other professionals in order to improve practice. Staff meetings are held weekly and there are fortnightly meetings with the therapist ensuring that all staff are consistent with boundaries. This safeguards both the young people and staff. A staff member spoken to commented, ‘staff meetings and meetings with the therapist are invaluable, it means that we all work the same way, if staff wanted to have a one-to-one session with the therapist this is always facilitated.’

p.9

good

Supervisions are held monthly with new staff receiving this fortnight during their probation. There are no appraisals in place yet due to the home only being in operation for six months.

p.10

good

The independent visitor makes monthly reports but has not yet sought permission of placing authorities to review files and this may limit the impact of these reviews.

p.10

good

Managers have not, to date, informed the local authority in which the home is situated of all admissions, as is required by law.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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

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Information about this inspection

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 .

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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,

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

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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

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