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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, seven requirements and three recommendations were made. The Registered Manager has addressed these shortfalls and the requirements and recommendations are met. The Registered Manager has introduced new systems following training on compiling effective individual care plans and risk assessments. Risk assessments now outline clear strategies to guide staff in reducing the potential of harm to young people. From the care plan, key workers identify specific issues that need addressing to promote young people’s positive outcomes and plan focused one-to- one sessions to support their particular needs. Managers review this work with the key worker in monthly supervision sessions to evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of key working in supporting young people. Review of care plans and risk assessments are part of this monthly review with risk assessments discussed weekly at team meetings. This ensures that all staff are aware of current risks and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

agreed strategies to manage the risk and protect young people. Senior managers within the organisation have greater oversight through undertaking audits of these documents, monitoring their relevance and effectiveness in promoting positive outcomes for young people. Action required following the fire risk assessment has been implemented. External exit doors are fitted with locks enabling easy access in the event of an emergency. Door sensor alarms on these exits alert staff if young people leave the building. Monitoring of the quality of care provided by the home has improved. A new quality assurance system is in place which allows the Registered Manager greater oversight and sharper analysis of incidents to inform care plans and ensure appropriate strategies are in place to provide maximum opportunities for young people to thrive and make progress. Six monthly internal monitoring reports now have a clearer focus on providing a detailed and comprehensive review with

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

specific action identified, including timescales, to improve standards of care. There is more emphasis on the continuous review of young people’s progress and evaluation of the strategies to guide staff in promoting their development. Recruitment processes are now more robust. Managers have implemented new procedures to ensure all staff, including staff employed on agency contracts, are subject to appropriate checks and vetting procedures to assess their suitability for working with children. New systems include auditing the vetting procedures of agency providers, more rigorous induction for agency staff and routine checking of their identification when arriving to work at the home. Young people are constructively involved in the recruitment of new staff to the home, interviewing the applicant and providing valuable feedback on their opinion of their suitability. Staff supervision records demonstrate that staff, including relief staff, are receiving

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

regular reviews of their practice. The Registered Manager has attended dedicated training in this area and introduced a new format for supervision to ensure a clear focus on a reflective approach and the individual needs of young people. Monitoring the quality of supervision is part of the quality assurance system enabling the Registered Manager to have oversight of staff practice and review the effectiveness of the care provided to maximise opportunities for young people to succeed. Currently, senior managers are considering developing the appraisal system to include young people’s views on staff practice and the support they are offered. Staff training records demonstrate the professional development of staff. All staff, including relief workers, are now trained in first aid so that in the event of an emergency staff can provide immediate assistance and protect young people. Young people enjoy positive relationships with staff and respond to attention to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

their individual needs. There have been no incidents requiring physical intervention since the last inspection. Shortfalls relating to the recording of physical intervention were identified at the previous inspection. The format for recording such incidents has been amended and now meets the requirements though there has been no necessity for such documentation recently. Young people are making significant progress at the home. All young people attend full-time education. One young person is currently integrating into a mainstream school having attended alternative provision and having missed a year of education. Another young person with a history of continuously leaving home without permission has responded to a reward and incentive scheme. Their behaviour has improved to the extent that there have been no such incidents for a number of months. Staff’s priority in protecting young people is evident throughout their practice. The

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Registered Manager continually emphasises the importance of implementing risk reduction strategies whilst at the same time introducing individual programmes of work with young people to develop their own awareness and understanding of keeping themselves safe. The Registered Manager refers safeguarding issues appropriately to the relevant authorities ensuring young people are protected and proper action is taken. Staff closely monitor young people’s health needs and ensure they receive the input from specialist health professionals to improve their physical and emotional well-being. Senior managers within the organisation recognise that staff training in attachment and the effects of trauma will strengthen the emotional support staff provide for young people. A programme of training is due to commence shortly, demonstrating their commitment to providing a more therapeutic parenting approach to benefit young people.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

29/01/2015 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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