Children's Home run by West Sussex County Council in West Sussex

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding 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

At the full inspection carried out in November 2015 no requirements or recommendations were made. The service continues to operate at an outstanding level and the manager is committed to further improving practices and procedures in line with the changing legislation and needs of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are two new young people accommodated since the last inspection who have successfully adjusted to the strong and consistently applied behaviour boundaries and management strategies in place. Settling in times can take longer for those young people who exhibit more challenging and previously embedded behaviours. The staff have recently had to manage some serious behavioural challenges/incidents. As a result of the strong leadership, experienced staff team, consistently applied behaviour management practices and effective strategies put in place, serious incidents are now decreasing. Behaviours that had not been robustly addressed in previous placements are now managed effectively at this home with strategies that have been developed and agreed with the local police. This in turn prevents young people from being criminalised where ever possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported to engage in education, some having previously been poor or non-school attendees. Most achieve good attendance in a short period of time. Other young people continue to have fluctuating attendance, but taking their starting points into consideration are doing well overall. The Registered Manager and staff team continue to aspire to full school/college attendance for all young people and continue to work closely with a wide range of professionals to achieve this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team enjoy their work and value the young people. In addition to the above, it is also noted that difficult and challenging beginnings soon become a positive experience as a result of the trusting relationships developed quickly between the young people and the staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff assess individual risks and complete robust risk assessments which inform them in how to manage these risks. Risks include; sexual exploitation, drug taking, criminal behaviours and going missing. Staff continue to work closely with outside agencies to ensure the safety of young people is a priority. These effective working relationships have been developed over time and continue to benefit young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding procedures continue to be of a very high standard. Staff have undertaken recent raining on the Prevent Duty, relating to radicalisation and extremism, and child sexual exploitation. This has increased their awareness and given them procedures to follow if any concerns are identified. This provides young people with the right support so they can make good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This is a service that continually develops its practices and procedures; for example monitoring and reviewing of incidents has resulted in staff team discussions to ensure current and future challenges are effectively identified, risk assessed and managed. The Registered Manager and his team are highly effective in not only forming strategies but regularly reviewing and amending them to ensure the best outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported to be independent, according to their ability and their risk taking behaviours. Effective communication between the staff team and other professionals ensures a consistent approach to supporting young people to learn life skills they will need as an adult and to be safe when out in the local community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Changes to recording systems have taken place with improved auditing and signposting. Staff respond well to the changes, for example there is now a clearer record of when updates to care plans have been made and when parents have been sent copies. Other developments include; a new focus at young people’s meetings on information sharing about a range of topics, for example, sugary drink content and personal safety, together with areas discussed at every meeting such as fire safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Health needs are identified and regular appointments with external health professionals ensure staff manage areas such as sexual health and medication administration correctly and in line with prescribed guidance. Staff encourage young people to self-administer medication, with robust risk assessments in place they achieve very successful outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring continues to be of an excellent standard with detailed independent visitor reports and six monthly quality assurance reports being undertaken. The Registered Manager and his deputy have high expectations of practice and recording, both of which the staff team meet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has recently gained an allotment. This is to be used for reparation work and for those young people interested in gardening. The deputy manager takes a keen interest in this and future inspections will be able to see how effective this provision is in relation to the homes stated aims. The management of the service continues to be stable and highly effective. There is a clear commitment to improving through quality assurance processes, both internal and external. There have been no complaints since the last inspection however there are clear procedures in place if one did occur.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to accommodate up to five young people of mixed gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/12/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

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

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Information about this inspection

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

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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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