Children's Home run by Crusoe Care Limited 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 last inspection, which was carried out in October 2016, three requirements were made. Satisfactory progress has been made in addressing the requirements in the short time between the two inspections. A full review and audit of staff recruitment files identified some gaps in recruitment procedures gaps – such as only one reference or no full curriculum vitae – for those staff who were employed many years ago. However, the recruitment process has recently been improved. As a result of the audit and the review, better recruitment checks and recording systems will ensure that in future the vetting process is part of a more vigorous procedure. The home’s staff team is small and stable, so recruitment is not often required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s statement of purpose has been amended to include all required areas in relation to the age range, number and gender of children that the home can accommodate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have attended, or are booked in to undertake, refresher training in the home’s chosen method of physical intervention. Although no physical interventions have been used for a long time, the registered manager understands the need for the staff to remain up to date. The registered manager has undertaken a review of all staff training and is currently producing a training matrix to identify those staff who require refresher training in areas such as safeguarding, medication administration, and health and safety. This much improved monitoring of training needs will ensure refresher training takes place when it is due.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are two young people accommodated at the home. They have developed very positive views about education and enjoy their educational experiences. They continue to have excellent school and college attendance as well as very positive feedback from the tutors and teachers. Staff work closely with schools and colleges to ensure that the young people’s attendance is good and that they achieve well. Incidents of poor behaviour have decreased significantly. Staff act as good role models and members of staff provide appropriate parenting skills at all times. Young people live in a nurturing environment where they feel safe and develop trusting relationships with the staff. As a result, their self-esteem rises and they can join in activities, in-house and in the local community, such as football clubs, singing lessons or mixing with friends after college. There have been no incidents of young people going missing. Staff assess individual risks and complete risk

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

assessments. These inform them of ways in which to manage identified risks. Current levels of risk are very low. At present there are no risks that relate to drug abuse, sexual exploitation or criminal behaviours. Despite an age gap, both young people live together positively and support each other. The current placement mix works extremely well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection. Young people say they want to be at the home and that it is the best residential home they have lived in. Consultation with young people occurs regularly. They can express their opinions, views and wishes. Current recording does not sufficiently distinguish between individual day-to-day conversations and planned key-working sessions. This is being addressed through the introduction of new recording forms. The registered manager has daily contact with the young people. He often drives them to school or college so that he can listen to their feelings and worries in a neutral environment. There are robust procedures in place to manage staff practices and to instigate disciplinary measures if required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Formal supervision sessions have not been as regular as they should have been. However, the staff say they feel very well supported on a day-to-day basis. The registered manager is aware of this shortfall and is taking action to ensure that all staff receive regular supervision, and that it is recorded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recent review of the home’s location risk assessment does not include any assessment of the risk of radicalisation. However, young people do have individual risk assessments and there are systems in place to prevent them from accessing negative social media. Overall, this home continues to provide a good standard of care for the young people, who continue to make progress in all aspects of their lives. The areas that require improvement had already been identified by the registered manager and the responsible individual. Plans were in place to address them and some actions were already underway. The home continues to provide a calm and relaxed environment that young people respond to very well.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Accommodation is provided in a single-storey bungalow located in a residential area. The home is privately owned.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/10/2016 Full Good 17/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/05/2015 Full Good 02/10/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience and have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33(4)(b)(c)) 28/02/2107

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the premises used for the purpose of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirements in regulation 12(2)(c), the protection of children standard. (Regulation 46 (1)) 28/02/2107

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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 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

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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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