Children's Home run by East Sussex County Council in East 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 judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the previous inspection in July 2016, two requirements and one recommendation were made. The staff team have undertaken training in autism and now have a greater understanding of the needs of young people with autistic spectrum disorders. Staff complete fire safety checks regularly with close monitoring by managers. With the appointment of a new deputy manager, there is now sufficient management capacity to ensure staff receive regular supervision. Staff are having opportunities to reflect on their practice and the needs of young people in line with the organisation’s policy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people who have been living at the home for a period of time are making excellent progress. They benefit from the individualised support they receive from staff who understand and respond to their specific needs. They have developed warm and meaningful relationships with staff who provide consistent, nurturing care giving them a sense of safety, protection and trust in the adults who care for them. They are making excellent progress at school. Two young people have received Children in Care awards for their progress in education. One young person who, before living in the home had missed a year of school, is now achieving 95% attendance. Other young people are finding it more difficult to engage with staff and respond to the support staff offer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have recently completed training in therapeutic parenting and receive on- going support from a worker from the child and adolescent mental health service who attends weekly team meetings. Staff thus have opportunities to discuss support strategies and further their understanding of the meaning of young people’s behaviour. This helps to ensure they are providing effective support appropriate to each young person’s needs. One young person’s emotional resilience and well-being has significantly improved through individual therapy and the day- to-day emotional support from staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been occasions when young people have left the home without permission. Staff follow agreed procedures and protocols to safeguard young people and minimise the risk of harm. Young people, who were frequently reported as missing, have improved their behaviour and have become increasingly safe. Staff adopt a robust approach to safeguarding and are diligent in their recording of concerns. Managers take appropriate action, including prompt consultation with the local authority designated officer, to ensure safeguarding concerns are dealt with and young people protected.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Successful reward and incentive schemes promote positive outcomes and assist young people in behaving appropriately. Some young people respond well to their individualised incentives and show marked improvement in their behaviour, particularly in school attendance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Contact with young people’s families is particularly well considered. Liaison with social workers and young people’s family and friends is an important aspect of their care plans. Such thoughtful planning helps to reduce the incidence of young people being reported as missing and is helping them deal with the emotional impact of difficult family relationships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager provides strong leadership and management and clearly places the needs of young people at the forefront of practice. He leads a stable team of motivated and committed staff who provide high standards of care and ensure young people‘s specific and complex needs are met.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/07/2016 Full Good 04/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/09/2015 Full Requires improvement 29/01/2015 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, 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

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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