Children's home run by Brighton and Hove City Council

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding 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

A competent and successful registered manager leads the home. She demonstrates a commitment to achieving exceptional care for children and to continually improving the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The one requirement made at the previous inspection has been effectively implemented. The home’s independent visitor now submits a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI without delay.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff who know and value children provide thoughtful and kind care. A member of staff said, ‘Staff have children’s best interests at heart. They are enthusiastic and go the extra mile.’ Staff enjoy being with the children in their care and have the understanding and skills to meet their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents speak highly of the service. One parent said, ‘It’s a home from home, it’s like he is coming to stay with his family. I feel that after me, his mum, the home is the next place I trust to look after him.’ Another parent said ‘The staff are wonderful. I am completely worry-free and happy with all aspects of the home.’ Parents speak of excellent communication with staff, and they feel that they are well informed and feel listened to.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides children with a multitude of experiences that enrich their lives, both within the home and in the community. Enabling risk assessments guide staff to keep children safe, while maximising their opportunities. Children’s individual goals underpin activity planning, and the home continually strives to maximise children’s development and progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children, including those who do not communicate verbally, are listened to and given choices. Children choose the activities that they undertake, the meals that they eat, and the staff who they spend time with and who provide their personal care. The registered manager has developed this further by recently sourcing wider opportunities for children to contribute their views and to impact decision making. One child is now an ‘ambassador’, involved in staff interviews and advocacy projects within the home and in wider local authority services.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is committed to working with the team around each child. Partnership working with children’s schools, health professionals, social workers and parents is purposeful, resulting in shared care plans and goals that provide consistency and enhance children’s progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved care plans incorporate the newly introduced ‘just right’ sensory programme. Staff now work in partnership with occupational therapists and child and adolescent mental health service professionals to guide children’s care and behaviour management planning. The ‘just right’ programme considers children’s physical environment and emotional needs to ensure that plans intrinsically meet each child’s individual needs. ‘Just right’ aligns with school and home to provide cohesive care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home uses praise rather than sanction to guide children’s behaviour. Any use of physical intervention is appropriate, with thorough recording and efficient management oversight.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have up-to-date safeguarding training, including on online safety, child sexual exploitation and newly introduced radicalisation training. There have been no safeguarding concerns. Individual missing plans protect children. There have been no incidents of children going missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Complaints are infrequent, but when made they receive effective action. The home encourages children, their families and professionals to give feedback. Their views are valued and guide the development of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment is equipped and maintained to a very high standard. Valued links between the home and local charities enable the funding of projects to enhance children’s experience. A newly purchased touch-screen computer enables children with fine motor difficulties to access computer activities and music. The installation of a new log cabin in the garden is scheduled. This will provide a creative activity space, offering children additional opportunities to enhance their short break stays. Health and safety is of a high standard, maintaining a safe environment for all.

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority operates the home. It provides short break care and accommodation for up to five children with learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17 December 2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24 February 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, work- based 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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