Children's home run by East Sussex County Council in Lewes

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.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are making good progress in an environment where their safety and well-being is paramount. A robust safeguarding approach by managers and the staff team ensure the prompt identification of concerns and appropriate referral to external agencies. Young people, who prior to living at the home, were placing themselves at high risk of child sexual exploitation have improved their behaviour and have become increasingly safer. Incidents of young people leaving the home without permission have significantly reduced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team have recently completed a training programme in therapeutic parenting. A dedicated looked after children mental health professional from the child and adolescent mental health service attends team meetings and is supporting staff to apply and embed this training in practice. Staff are implementing strategies and interventions specifically compiled to meet young people’s individual attachment experiences, trauma and specific developmental needs. Young people are benefitting from staff’s greater understanding of their complex needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff know young people well, recognise changes in their behaviour and moods and provide sensitive support. Young people respond to the consistent, cohesive and nurturing care provided by staff. Through challenging periods where young people present in extreme distress, staff respond with warmth and kindness. As a result of this approach, physical intervention is rarely required to manage young people’s behaviour. There has been only one incident where staff have used physical intervention since the last inspection. This is in marked contrast for one young person who was requiring such behaviour management on a regular and frequent basis in their placement prior to moving to this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff work effectively with external agencies. Collaborative work with the virtual school and mainstream schools are benefitting young people. One young person has recently moved to a local mainstream school. Through partnership working, individualised support is in place to promote attendance, educational progress and ensure they have the appropriate emotional assistance to advance their learning. Constructive working relationships with the child and adolescent mental health service contribute to very effective care planning for young people to ensure they receive support to manage severe attachment difficulties and their emotions resulting from trauma and loss.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Thoughtful planning for young people’s contact with their families is a strength of the home. Young people receive sensitive support from staff to help them cope with difficult emotions arising from complex visits to see family members.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is committed to continuously improving the quality of care provided for young people. Currently recruitment is underway to increase the number of staff to enhance the provision of individualised care and reduce the need to utilise relief staff, thus ensuring a consistent approach from all staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement was made at the last inspection. This related to one member of relief staff not having achieved the level 3 diploma within the required timescale. This member of staff is working towards this diploma and the registered manager has deferred the completion date due to the member of staff working part-time and their personal commitments. A recommendation was also made at the previous inspection to ensure that young people have the opportunity of an independent return interview when they have been missing from care or away from the home without permission. Incidents involving young people being away from the home have significantly reduced but young people are not consistently offered an independent return interview. This recommendation is thus repeated.

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Information about this children's home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/08/2016 Full Good 27/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 30/09/2015 Full Requires improvement 12/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:

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Recommendations

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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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