Children's home run by Rubicon Children and Family Services Ltd in Lewes

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 Registered Manager has effectively addressed the two requirements and two recommendations made at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has improved consultation with young people. Young people's key working sessions are themed and focused, they look at progress and agree goals. The sessions are analysed to look at the impact of their care and how this has improved outcomes. Young people design and review their own placement plans; these documents identify the care that they feel they need.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use team meeting discussions to consider how their practice supports young people's progress. A qualified therapist now facilitates reflective team meetings. This has enabled staff to consider practice in more depth and make better links between practice and outcomes young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people and staff form and sustain respectful relationships. The importance of which features strongly in the culture of this home; staff and young people say that they greatly value their relationships with one another. One young person commented, ‘I know staff really care about me, they tell me and I feel looked after’. Communications between young people and staff were warm and friendly, demonstrating co-operative and supportive relationships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of balanced diets and they have been actively promoting healthy eating within the home. A member of staff has been tasked with overseeing the planning, delivery and education of young people regarding eating healthily. This member of staff has completed an accredited course in nutrition ensuring that she has the skills to promote good diet and healthy living.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people, when asked about their meals, said, ‘we love our food, we get to choose our favourite meals and we get to help staff cook sometimes, we have to eat healthy food’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour is well managed and incidents of disruption are uncommon. Staff work closely with young people, understand their triggers and effectively de-escalate situations. This understanding has been gained through really getting to know the young people and using opportunities, such as key working, to support them in finding alternative ways to manage their behaviour. As a result, sanctions are rarely used and are often considered less effective in working successfully through situations. This helps young people take greater levels of responsibility for their actions and begin to understand how their behaviour affects others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new format has been developed for team meetings with additional time for workshops and inset training. Recent topics have included extremism and sexual exploitation. This provides staff with increased learning opportunities, it has widened their knowledge base and supported development of their practice. A substantial piece of work is being undertaking by the home to consider how they can counteract institutionalisation. Staff and young people are exploring language and routines within the home; they have begun to use child friendly alternatives to some common institutional terminology, such as ‘trust time’, ‘activities’, and ‘house meetings’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has successfully completed the registration process with Ofsted. Regulation 45 reports have been reviewed and the new document is more analytical and evaluative. There is greater focus on consultation with young people, staff, parents and external professionals to help form a picture of the home’s areas of strength and further development. This provides an effective tool for assessing the homes performance and improvement.

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Information about this children's home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 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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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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