Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The requirement from the previous inspection was met effectively. Ofsted is being notified of any serious incidents or significant events. The recommendations from the previous inspection have been partly met. A risk assessment for the use of door alarms for one young person has not been reviewed correctly. The risk assessment was not reflective of the current situation, and there were factual inaccuracies. The risk assessment did not evidence that these modifications were made in order to safeguard a young person. The recommendation in regards to staff qualifications has been met: all staff, including agency staff, have the level 3 qualification or are working towards it. The registered manager makes good use of external monitoring systems and acts on the recommendations. He has not reviewed or signed some risk assessments

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and restraint and incident records. Staff have not signed records to reflect that these are true accounts. These incidents are not evaluated or analysed. Staff are not able to reflect on lessons learnt, to inform them of potential triggers and to prevent incidents from re-occurring. Following an incident at the home staff did not follow the protocol regarding the police being called. The procedure states that the registered manager or duty manager should be consulted prior to any police involvement. Young people are at risk of being criminalised unnecessarily if a consistent, agreed approach is not followed. Good professional relationships between the home and partner agencies are generally effective. Multi-disciplinary working ensures the best possible care and experiences for young people. One social worker said, ‘I cannot imagine her in any other home. I have a lot of respect for the staff, and they are doing a fantastic

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

job.’ Another social worker reported, ‘They liaise well with me. We work well together. I’m very impressed.’ Staff are committed to helping young people to reach their goals. They make good progress. For example, one young person is now undertaking an apprenticeship and is keen to gain qualifications; previously she was reluctant to attend school. Staff encourage the young people to take responsibility and to gain independence skills. All the young people are learning to budget, shop, prepare and cook meals. They do their own laundry and take pride in the home. Staff offer incentives to reward the young people. They help young people to prepare for more independent living in the future. Young people enjoy living in the home. Staff promote respect and harmony; young people respond positively. One young person said, ‘You would think three girls would argue. There hasn’t been one argument.’ Staff ensure that they act as

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

positive role models and offer individual attention to young people. This means that they do not feel the need to seek negative attention. The home has a warm, family environment, and staff encourage young people to personalise their bedrooms, which were being redecorated on the day of the inspection. One young person who was recently admitted to the home has settled in well. She has a history of absconding. This has reduced significantly, and she now rarely goes missing. Staff follow the company’s missing from home policy and risk assessments to ensure that she is found as quickly as possible. This young person’s goal is to work towards unsupervised free time. The staff have devised a clear plan to work with her, to achieve this safely. One young person’s move from the home had to change at short notice. Staff worked well with the young person to help him to manage this. They continue to visit him regularly and offer emotional and practical support. This enables him to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

retain these important relationships during this difficult time. He is beginning to settle in his new placement as a result. Staff promote positive contact with the young people’s friends and families. Young people are supported to see those who are important to them. Staff liaise with parents and carers. They keep them updated about young people’s well-being and ensure that they develop good relationships. One parent said, ‘The staff are coping well with her. I am happy with her care. They keep me informed.’ Another said, ‘She enjoys being there. She doesn’t want to move.’ Young people enjoy a range of interests in the community. All the young people had activities on the day of the inspection. One young person excitedly discussed her plans for a weekend holiday with work colleagues. One young person was visiting friends and the other young person was going horse riding with staff. The staff ensure that young people contribute to the community. For example, one

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young person is engaged in voluntary work at an animal rescue centre. This develops her sense of community and increases her self–esteem. Staff prioritise young people’s emotional needs. Key-working sessions explore and discuss important issues, for example keeping themselves safe. Staff ensure that young people access external therapeutic services. The registered manager consults with the therapist to ensure a close working partnership. Staff formulate safety plans based on this advice. They provide a caring and consistent approach. As a result, one young person was able to work through an emotional crisis. Staff encourage young people to access advocacy services. An advocate was visiting a young person on the day of the inspection. Staff ensured that they had an appropriate environment to enable them to make the best use of their time together. Staff work proactively with professionals to ensure that young people are able to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

attend further education and to gain work experience. Staff attend with the young people if necessary. Young people’s views are listened to. Staff advocate on their behalf to help them to gain the right college provision. The staff’s approach means that young people are focused on achieving qualifications and work experience.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children’s home that is registered to accommodate three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered persons meet 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard, especially in relation to the registered manager and staff signing restraint and incident records and supervision logs being kept up to date, the registered person must (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided. 14/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that monitoring and surveillance is only used for the monitoring or surveillance of children if (1)(a) the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned or 14/10/2016 other children. (Regulation 24(1)(a))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The registered person should ensure that staff follow the protocol in relation to police involvement in managing behaviour and criminalisation of behaviour. Children should not be criminalised for behaviour in a children's home that would not similarly lead to police involvement if it occurred in the family home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 47, paragraph 9.40)

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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 that 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 whom 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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