Children's home run by Headstart Care LLP in Rother

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as good at the full inspection carried out in March 2016. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has addressed the one requirement and three recommendations made at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The effectiveness of sanctions is now reviewed to ensure that they are relevant and proportionate. Since the last inspection in March, there has only been one sanction imposed. This represents a significant decrease in sanctions, and reflects the young people’s progress and positive relationships with the staff who care for them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The kitchen door is no longer locked at night. This means that there are no restrictions on young people’s movements around the home and no locking of communal areas. Additionally, recording by staff has improved. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that the daily log includes records of fire drills. There is now clear guidance for staff to record where they have searched in the event that a young person is missing. This guidance has not had to be used since the last inspection, as there have been no incidents of young people going missing or being absent without permission.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As a result of clerical shortfalls identified at the last inspection, the registered manager has introduced a weekly monitoring audit of key records. This means that shortfalls can be identified and addressed swiftly. The system has been effective and the records examined, such as risk assessments, fire drills and key-working sessions, have been completed in a timely manner and are accurate. This new system complements other quality assurance systems, such as visits by the independent visitor and assessments of the home’s performance as required under regulation 45. It is clear that the registered manager expects high standards from members of staff, and that the systems in place enable regular monitoring and review of the standards of recording and effectiveness of care plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one new admission to the home. This has been a carefully planned move and included an assessment on the potential impact on the dynamics within the home. Any potential risks have been identified, and measures have been put in place to minimise disruption to the home and young people. The referral and assessment process has ensured that staff have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the young person. While the admission was very recent, at less than a week ago, feedback from the young person was very positive about the way he was supported into his new home: ‘I am pleased to be here. I feel wanted here, and the staff make us feel included and equal’, he said.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Other young people in the home have continued to make significant progress. One young person is in the process of taking GCSE exams. This is remarkable, taking into consideration their starting point: ‘It just wasn’t a possibility a year ago, before I came to live here’, he said. This improvement has been achieved by close liaison with the school which the young person attends, as well as support from members of staff. In turn, this has enabled the young person to apply themselves with determination and a subsequent feeling of success.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been one incident which required the home to inform the local safeguarding officer and placing social worker when a young person made an allegation against a member of staff. This allegation was promptly withdrawn. The young person’s welfare was promoted and protected, because the staff and managers informed the designated officer and social worker. However, managers did not inform Ofsted of this event, as required by regulations. A requirement is made for the registered manager to ensure that notifications are made when required in future.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children's home that is registered to provide care for two young people who have emotional or behavioural problems. It was newly registered in August 2015.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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 ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there (Regulation 40(4)(c)). 7/7/2016

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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 ‘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 0300 123 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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