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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements and recommendations of the last inspection have been effectively met. There is now a thorough risk assessment in place in relation to the use of door alarms on young people’s bedroom doors. All notifications have been sent to Ofsted in line with regulations

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been four young people admitted since the last inspection. Placement plans and thorough impact assessments assessed the suitability of placing the young people with those already there. Risk assessments, compiled with professionals involved in their care and the young people, provided strategies to protect them. However, two young people continued to put themselves at risk and were moved to more secure placements. Another young person settled initially and engaged with staff and her safety plan; however, she went missing, returning on the day of the inspection. Staff did not keep to the home’s missing from care protocol and the young person’s risk assessment. They did not contact the police and local authority immediately; however, they did search for the young person and reported her missing when they were unable to locate her.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have successfully worked with one young person whose risk of being exploited has significantly reduced. She was judged as high risk; but now is considered as low risk. Staff worked with her, her family and professionals to enable her to commit to the home and safety plan.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another young person who recently moved into the home was observed to be enjoying positive interactions with staff. Her admission was well planned. Staff provided photographs of the home, themselves and an informative welcome booklet. They liaised closely with her family, social worker and previous placement to complete a comprehensive placement plan and thorough risk assessments. This means staff are equipped with the knowledge required to meet her needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions from the placement are effectively planned. One young person who recently left the home has successfully moved into independent living with a package of care and access to specialist support. The Registered Manager remains in contact with the young person. She continues to advocate on another young person’s behalf regarding delays to his transition plan.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a warm, nurturing relationship between staff and young people with humour playing a large part in interactions. Staff play games with young people and enjoy their company. Staff ensure that young people have positive experiences outside of the home, one young person chose to go on holiday with staff to Barcelona, other young people attend a local dance and music club.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are actively involved in making decisions about their environment and activities. They attend young people’s meetings and make good use of opportunities to make positive changes. Young people requested a larger television, additional access to television channels and another sofa to make the environment more communal. Staff listened to this request and responded positively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work proactively to increase young people’s academic success. One young person has enrolled in a Level 3 course and mathematics GSCE, her ambition is to carry on with her education to the highest level that she is able to achieve. Staff liaised closely with the virtual school head to secure funding for an additional tutor. Young people who are not accessing education undertake independence and life skills training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Inter-agency working is strong. One Social Worker said ‘staff have been brilliant, everything I have asked for has been done, they have gone over and above what was expected’. A parent reported ‘they are doing better than anticipated, staff are supportive of my child, I am really relaxed with her being there’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff receive regular and effective supervision, allowing time for reflection. The Registered Manager is recruiting at present to ensure they have experienced staff who can care for young people. However, some staff are not qualified in accordance with regulations. The Registered Manager acknowledges that this needs to be addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff promote positive contact with family and friends who are welcomed to the home where appropriate. Staff arranged for one young person to stay in a hotel overnight with his family to celebrate his eighteenth birthday. A parent reported ‘they help me to have quality time with my son’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

External independent monitoring visits take place monthly and are suitably challenging of care practice. The manager uses these reports and internal monitoring to evaluate the quality of care provided in the home. She has a good understanding of the strengths of the home and areas in need of improvement.

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Information about this children's home

This setting is registered to accommodate four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is managed by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure -

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Requirement Due date

(2) (a) (vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies, in relation to missing from home policy. 31/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): Ensure agency staff meet the requirements in regulation (32)(4) regarding mandatory qualifications (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 54, paragraph 10.16)

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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.

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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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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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 .

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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

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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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