Children's Home run by Southern Adolescent Care Services Ltd in West Sussex

The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people say they feel cared for and looked after while others speak positively of the home and the progress made by young people.  The new Registered Manager and her deputy have installed a sense of stability where practice has improved to provide young people with consistent care and intervention.  A committed team of staff show resolve in the face of challenging and risk taking behaviour/s. This results in a home that does not give up on young people.  Young people who arrived with highly vulnerable and risk taking behaviours have settled, formed meaningful relationships and become safer.  Older young people who display understandable levels of anxiety are prepared to manage their moves into adulthood and life out of care. On- going outreach support enables them to continue to receive essential support after leaving.

p.3

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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the standards, with particular reference to helping young people to behave well, staff must: 30/01/2016 2 (xi) – de-escalate confrontations with or between young people, or potentially violent behaviour by young people; in particular those behaviours that place other young people and staff at the home at risk of harm

p.3

Requirement Due date

7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children’s wishes and feelings standards, with particular reference to the way that young people have their requests responded to, the registered person must:

p.4

Requirement Due date

2 (a) (iii) help each young person to understand how their views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the young people reasons for decisions; in particular that a robust process is in place to provide young people with clear responses to their requests. 30/01/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the education standards, with particular reference to engaging young people in their education, training or employment, the registered person must:

p.4

Requirement Due date

2 (a) (x) help each young person to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations within the young person relevant plans; in particular seek ways to increase the levels of attendance and engagement for older young people. 30/01/2016

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

12/08/2015 CH - Interim declined in effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

03/09/2014 CH - Interim declined in effectiveness

p.5

people living in the home are

Young people generally make good progress. In some instances this is significant given their poor starting points. A number of young people have lived at the home for several years and benefit from stable and supportive care. These same young people have struggled at times as they prepare for adulthood and life outside of residential care. The resolve of staff and their commitment to not giving up on them through difficult periods is a strength of the home. As a result young people feel cared for and make successful moves into independent living.

p.6

people living in the home are

Young people said, ‘I get on well with staff…they look out for you’. Other young people noted, ‘this is the longest placement I have ever had…I like it here’.

p.6

people living in the home are

Comments from family members and social workers praise the care and support provided to young people. Social workers say they are, 'amazed' with the efforts put in by staff and the, ‘unstinting’ focus on meeting their specific needs. A family member noted that, ‘(name of young person) has made great progress since moving in’.

p.6

people living in the home are

Young people share meaningful relationships with staff which usually help them to settle and progress within a caring and supportive environment. Behaviour is generally good although some young people have been involved in incidents directed at the home and staff. Staff utilise their relationships with young people to help them to learn why this is not acceptable and seek thoughtful resolutions. This helps to settle the home swiftly, improve the behaviour of young people and overall atmosphere.

p.6

people living in the home are

Effective procedures are in place to obtain the views, wishes and feelings of young people. House meetings take place regularly with young people noting that, 'we do get listened to'. This includes contributing to menu and activity planning. Although no young person raised any issues regarding the process there is currently no written procedure for confirming the outcomes of their meetings.

p.6

people living in the home are

A robust procedure is in place to address matters of concern or complaint with young people saying they understand how to do so. Since the last inspection just one complaint has been made; this was not of a significant nature. The matter was resolved swiftly and to the satisfactory of all concerned. No young person raised any concerns or complaints during the inspection.

p.6

people living in the home are

Care planning is good with a high standard of assessment, planning and review ensuring young people have their specific needs met. Programmes of care take a full account of the holistic needs of young people and involve them, and those important to them, in their development. A new format, completed against the quality standards, provides staff with clear guidance as to how to meet the needs of young people which they follow in practice.

p.6

people living in the home are

Young people receive good health care with particular emphasis on meeting their emotional and psychological well-being. Close inter-agency working ensures young people receive help when they need it. This is particularly effective with the local Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service. Such an approach ensures that addressing mental well-being is seen as a normal part of growing up.

p.7

people living in the home are

The home promotes learning and support and encourages young people to attend education, training and employment. The organisations education co-ordinator links well with schools and colleges to ensure young people have appropriate programmes of education. Some young people engage well, vastly increase their attendance to school from poor starting points and sit exams. Other young people have managed to obtain weekend work which has improved their self-esteem and provided them with valuable experience. However, and despite considerable staff support and guidance, some young people who are approaching adulthood attend only sporadically.

p.7

people living in the home are

Young people enjoy activities and pursuits that match their individual wishes. The routines of the home are set to provide structure, but at the same time are flexible and responsive to each young person's individual needs. Staff are motivated to encourage young people to participate in meaningful pastimes. This results in young people regularly engaging in healthy physical activities, such as going swimming. This assists in channelling their energy and reduces levels of stress and anxiety. Young people try new and exciting pursuits. In particular horse riding. This has provided an excellent outlet where young people have been able to attend regularly and gain considerable therapeutic benefit. As a result they have learned essential skills, improved their levels of confidence and been able to enjoy unconditional fun.

p.7

people living in the home are

Young people live in a home that provides a good standard of accommodation. The home is clean and well maintained with Christmas decorations chosen by young people and staff currently adorning communal areas. Young people personalise their rooms which allows them to take ownership of their surroundings. They are also involved in helping to create new murals which are adding character to the living environment.

p.7

people living in the home are

Young people receive considerable support to help them prepare for life as an adult. A majority of the current group of young people are aged 17. They are all subject to undertaking the homes independence programme. This includes shopping to a budget and preparing and cooking meals. Young people say this is helping them, ‘get their heads around living on their own’. Young people can continue to receive support from staff once they leave. Packages of outreach support are developed in cooperation with placing authorities and agencies providing post-18 accommodation and intervention. This ensures young people do not feel rejected at the point of moving on and can continue to rely on the guidance of adults whom they have known for many years. This helps to alleviate uncertainty and greatly improves the chances of them making successful transitions to independent living in the community.

p.7

people are helped and protected

Staff work hard to keep young people safe. For many this means reducing their negative behaviours and learning better ways to cope with their feelings. In some cases young people have made considerable strides in reducing their vulnerability to exploitation and have become significantly safer.

p.8

people are helped and protected

There has been a few occasions when the behaviour of older young people has been poor with police needing to be involved. This included careless actions that placed the well-being of other young people and staff at risk of harm. The efforts of staff to work alongside these young people and assist them to behave well has been successful in curbing any significant reoccurrence.

p.8

people are helped and protected

Staff are fully aware of the risks young people may pose to themselves or others. They are trained in safeguarding matters with the home taking a preventative stance with issues that indicate a child protection matter. This has been particularly effective for young people who have histories of sexual exploitation. Multi-agency safety plans include young people meeting regularly with experts to explore their vulnerabilities and gain an awareness of appropriate relationships. The impact of such plans are reviewed routinely with input from staff, police and children’s social care. Social workers note that young people have made, ‘massive progress’ and have all but curtailed their most highly risk taking behaviours within a relatively short timeframe.

p.8

people are helped and protected

There have been times when young people have left the home without permission. However the vigilance and commitment of the staff team has led to a vast reduction in the past few months. Risk assessments focus on key areas of concern and the actions that staff must take to reduce them. Staff actively seek young people and liaise effectively in reporting them missing to the police. They provide young people with continued support to consider the risks they place themselves in with clear messages that they are cared about. Young people who had previously run away from care on regular occasions now seldom leave. As a result a majority of incidents now relate to older young people failing to return home on time rather than going missing. The local police described the work undertaken by the home in regards missing young people as considerably improved.

p.8

people are helped and protected

Staff enable young people to consider the consequences of their behaviour and attitude through positive reinforcement and an appropriate use of sanctions. The number of sanctions given is relatively low. Procedures continue to move away from punitive measures toward implementing a more restorative approach. For instance, after causing damage a young person helped staff clear up the mess. This approach has seen a reduction in damage and the young person being able to discuss their anger issues with staff.

p.9

people are helped and protected

The use of physical intervention is appropriate. The levels of restraint are very low. Suitably trained staff use the relationships they share with young people to de- escalate situations when they are angry, frustrated or stressed. This culminates in an environment that feels lively but predominantly calm and relaxed.

p.9

people are helped and protected

The home consistently follows good, safer recruitment practice.

p.9

people are helped and protected

The completion of health and safety checks ensure the well-being of all who live and work in the home. Fire drills regularly provide young people with opportunities to practice evacuation procedures. The servicing and testing of fire-fighting equipment, gas and electrical appliances further supports the maintaining of a safe environment.

p.9

leaders and managers

The management of the home is efficient and effective with young people benefitting from living in an environment where their needs come first. Considerable improvements since the last inspection has seen the home settling back down after a period of disruptive and risk taking behaviour. The newly Registered Manager has brought about a calming influence with consistent boundaries, routines and care now expected as the norm in staff practice.

p.9

leaders and managers

The Registered Manager has considerable experience of working with young people in residential care and of managing staff to meet their needs; she is currently undertaking the Level 5 Diploma in Management. The Registered Manager and her deputy understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home and aspire to build on the progress of recent months to bring about long term stability and continued improvements. Feedback from relatives and social workers was overwhelmingly positive with high levels of communication and professionalism the hallmark of the home. The home has addressed the requirements made at the last inspection. This includes staff following agreed strategies for keeping young people safe and addressing their challenging behaviour/s, the reviewing of policies and procedures to assess the impact of new admissions, and staff receiving training to meet specific needs. As a result young people are cared for more consistently, have

p.9

leaders and managers

reduced their negative behaviours and learned to lead safer lives.

p.10

leaders and managers

Effective monitoring ensures the home is providing acceptable standards of care. The Registered Manager completes regular reviews which evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of service provision. This reflective work has enabled specific areas of care to be analysed leading to improved outcomes for young people. For example, by amending the approach toward the giving of monetary rewards and installing a less institutionalised system. Independent monitoring takes place monthly and always includes consultation with young people and those responsible for them. The detailed reports provide an evaluative narrative that is both informative and appropriately critical.

p.10

leaders and managers

Good numbers of staff, who are committed and motivated, provide young people with individualised care which meets their complex needs. The resolve of staff during periods of disruptive and challenging behaviour is particularly strong. This culminates in a culture where adults do not give up on young people. Most staff are qualified to the required level with good continuing training opportunities provided. Recent training has included child sexual exploitation and the risk of radicalisation. Staff receive regular formal supervision and note they are well supported by the Registered Manager and her senior team. Staff said: 'things have really improved in the past few months…young people make real progress and we work together as a team.’

p.10

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.

p.11

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

p.11

What the inspection judgements mean

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

p.11

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

p.12

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 .

p.12

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.13

Information about this inspection

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

p.13

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.13

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.13