Children's Home run by Bramley Care 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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people continue to make good progress since the last inspection. They have positive relationships with a staff team who know and understand their individual risks. One young person commented, ‘staff understand me, I have lots of support.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people say that they feel listened to by staff, a young person commented, ‘we have house meetings everyday so we can talk through stuff, so you never have to wait long to get things talked about and sorted.’ Staff were observed greeting young people from school, sharing a snack and asking them about their day. Wide varieties of topics were discussed involving all the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have regular key work sessions but the recording of these do not give any detail about work undertaken or conversations had with the young people making it hard for the manager to evaluate the quality of these sessions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people have a wide variety of activities both in the home and in the community. All activities are thoughtfully risk assessed to ensure the safety of the young people and others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people spoken to say that they feel safe living in the home. Boundaries are consistent and they understand why these are in place and the consequences of breaking these. There have been ten sanctions since the last inspection; these have been fair and proportionate. The young people comment and sign each entry and the manager reviews the effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A reward system is in place giving each young person the opportunity to gain points through good behaviour and sticking to boundaries. The young people have recently been involved with staff in re-structuring this, at their request, to make it more meaningful to an older age group. A young person spoken to said that he preferred this. Staff understand the importance of reinforcing positive behaviours and celebrate these in daily house meetings, young people’s meetings and key work sessions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of transitions into and from the home. Two young people have recently moved on to live more independently. Staff worked effectively with them in preparing them to move. A third young person is due to move soon. He commented, ‘staff have taken me to see my placement and I visited a college yesterday. I’m scared and excited about moving; I have done lots of work with my keyworker and completed my independence training.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff complete an end of placement report giving the new placement information needed to support the young person. The therapist also completes a risk assessment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two new admissions since the last inspection; both young people have come from sister homes in the area, as they are now ready to learn more independent skills. Although both already knew the other young people in the home and the staff, they still came for several visits before moving in and the home received an end of placement report and risk assessment. A member of staff from one of the homes is currently working with one young person to support him.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of education and work closely with the companies school and college providers around the support young people require and the risks to themselves and others. They have daily contact with education providers and attend parent’s evenings and events. All young people are currently in full-time education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff have undertaken safeguarding, child sexual exploitation and radicalisation training. Young people have not gone missing since the home opened; staff have excellent links with the police vulnerable missing persons’ team. The manager informs them of all admissions and discharges and sends a photo so that if young people did go missing swift action will be taken

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are clear comprehensive care plans in place which young people are involved in completing. There are detailed individualised risk assessments, which are regularly monitored and reviewed by the manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people who attend college have recently been able to access Facebook. Young people worked with staff in devising a contract about using Facebook and have undergone internet safety training using Child Exploitation on-line Protection Agency materials and through discussions with staff. Young people also now have mobile phones but the type of phone and when they can use them along with internet access are assessed on an individual basis after assessing their risks. Staff give young people the opportunity to learn to manage age-appropriate risks before they move out into independent living in a safe controlled environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are learning independence skills and once a week they cook for everyone in the house. One young person commented, ‘I’m good at my independence stuff but I have to get staff to help me cook when I have to do it for the house; there have been some disasters but that’s how we learn.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were three requirements and one recommendation from the last inspection. These have been completed and implemented. There are robust monitoring systems in place, which look at care practice and health and safety in the home. Staff receive regular supervision which supports them in looking at care practice and working with the young people. There are also weekly staff meetings and monthly meetings with the therapist to ensure consistency when working with the young people. The home is currently using agency staff, all checks are completed by the agency before they start to work in the home, however agency staff do not currently receive any formal supervision which may impede consistency.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of family contact and support this when needed. Recently three young people have been supported in increasing contact and two now have unsupervised overnight contact.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is decorated to a very high standard. There are photos around the home of young people and staff on activities. The young people spoken to are clearly very proud of their home and are involved in keeping it clean and tidy. A young person spoken to commented, ‘this is a really nice house; we have everything we need and can go out with staff and buy things for the house.’ There are large well-maintained gardens with a basketball court and summerhouse for the young people to use.

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Information about this children's home

The home is a privately owned therapeutic unit and provides care and accommodation for up to six boys with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them, specifically support agency staff through formal supervision. (Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, page 31 paragraph 13.1)

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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

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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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