Children's Home run by Springfield Road Children’s Homes Ltd in East 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 improved in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the inspection carried out in August 2016 three requirements were made. These have all been addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the registered manager has ensured that qualifications of new members of staff have been verified. This ensures that all necessary checks as required by regulation are carried out prior to a new employee commencing work. As a result, the recruitment process is robust and only adults with appropriate employment histories and background checks are employed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Supervision arrangements since the last inspection have improved. All members of staff have regular supervision sessions and these are recorded and signed by the supervisees. This has ensured that all members of staff have their performance assessed regularly and that any issues relating to performance or practice are now formally addressed and recorded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The records of complaints made by young people now includes how the complaint has been resolved and whether the young person is satisfied with the outcome. This ensures that the young person’s voice is listened to during the process and that their views are both recorded and acknowledged. Formal complaints are rare in this home, there being only one since August 2016. Nevertheless, they are treated seriously and followed through to resolution by the registered manager. Additionally, themes collated from a complaint have been followed through. For example, a complaint with regards to bullying was not only addressed with the young people’s group but training from an external source was arranged involving both the young people and staff team. This ensured that the issue was seen as one impacting on the whole community and that shared responsibility and mutual respect is a cornerstone of living together.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to promote the schooling and education of young people rigorously. Members of staff advocate on behalf of the young people to support their attendance and achievements and liaise effectively with teachers so that key information is shared promptly. This has ensured excellent levels of attendance and praise from the head teacher and members of staff regarding a young person’s engagement, attitude and behaviour. This is excellent, especially bearing in mind the young person’s previous poor outcomes in other educational settings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of young people going missing have reduced dramatically. No young person has been missing from the home since August 2016. On the last occasion that two young people were absent without permission members of staff followed them and ensured their prompt and safe return. Police officers complimented the staff on their proactive approach which ensured the incident was swiftly and effectively managed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of physical restraint are recorded appropriately and include details required by regulations. Additionally, any incidents are followed through with key work sessions with the young people so that they are given a meaningful opportunity to reflect upon their behaviours and consider how future incidents can be avoided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Members of staff continue to support young people sensitively during arranged supervised contact with family members. This ensures that the young people are suitably prepared for the contact and that they know they have immediate support both during and after the visits. This well planned and good quality support is especially important if the young people experience these occasions as anxiety provoking and emotionally challenging.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/07/2015 Full Good 26/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 30/10/2014 Full Good

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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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