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 recommendations and requirements from the past inspection have been effectively met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager is dedicated to maximising the outcomes for young people. Staff promote achievement, monetary rewards for completing daily living skills, such as washing laundry, and keeping rooms tidy, are effective. Staff encourage young people to complete independence programmes to prepare them for when they leave the home. Two young people proudly discussed how they cook, shop and budget together.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work proactively to support young people to attend education and achieve their ambitions. One young person has successfully made the transition to the organisation’s school and is applying for apprenticeships. Another young person has achieved 3 GCSE’s and is studying for a further 5. Staff support young people to complete their homework and attend additional revision classes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments, completed with young people, inform staff of potential concerns and preventative measures needed. Young people actively take responsibility for plans made for them. Staff are trained to recognise child sexual exploitation (CSE) and the preventative steps and actions necessary to reduce risk. One young person’s risk of CSE has significantly reduced because of staff’s intervention; she is now judged to be at low risk.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is being re-decorated. Bedrooms are personalised and young people take pride in their home. However, alarms fitted to bedroom doors to alert staff if young people leave, have not been individually risk assessed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff educate young people in regards to personal safety and important issues during key work sessions and young people’s meetings. The strong relationship between staff and young people means there is a high level of trust and respect for each other, this enhances the key work relationship. Young people enjoy nurturing relationships with staff who are committed to meeting their emotional needs. Positive interactions were observed, one young person said ‘everything’s cool here’. Another young person reported that ‘staff care about me, I feel safe’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no admissions or transitions since the last inspection. Staff are introducing one young person to prospective carers; they promote contact by travelling long distances with the young person to and from the carer’s home. They keep in contact during visits and are available for support. Staff remain committed to young people after they have left the home; an outreach service is an integral part of the transition plan.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are suitably checked and vetted prior to appointment. Young people undertake second interviews as part of the recruitment process. The Registered Manager ensures that staff are trained and have the necessary skills to care for young people. He provides a thorough and extensive induction period. Through this effective system, only staff who are suitable for the role work with 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

Good professional relationships between the home and partner agencies results in a highly effective multi-disciplinary working to ensure the best possible care and experiences for the young people. The Registered Manager accesses specialist mental health advice and consultations to support young people. One young person’s incidents of self-harm have significantly reduced, through learning to self- regulate with strategies to calm down. The Registered Manager ensures that young people are aware that they can access counselling support in relation to witnessing other young people’s risky behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A serious incident occurred which resulted in a young person attending hospital, this was not notified to Ofsted. This means that outside agencies cannot judge whether the young person is cared for safely.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager evaluates the home effectively to make improvements. He has a good understanding of young people’s needs and staff performance. A member of staff said ‘the manager is very good, he gives us constructive feedback’. The Registered Manager uses team meetings and supervisions effectively to recognise good practice, share information about young people and address any practice-based issues.

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Information about this children's home

This setting is registered to accommodate three 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

24/02/2015 Interim Improved 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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if-

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Requirement Due date

(e) There is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 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):

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Recommendations

Ensure agency staff meet the requirements in regulation (32) (4) regarding mandatory qualifications (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 54, paragraph 10.16)  Ensure modifications to the environment of the home are only made where this is intended to safeguard the child's welfare. All decisions should be informed by a rigorous assessment of that individual child's need, be properly recorded and be kept under review. This is in relation to door alarms on young people's bedrooms. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.10).

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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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