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

At the inspection in September 2016, two requirements were made. One requirement related to two staff completing the level 3 qualification within the required timescale. One member of staff has completed the qualification and the other member of staff is due to complete it shortly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The other requirement related to the recording of information when a young person is absent from the home. The registered manager has introduced a new form for staff to complete and record comprehensive information. He is monitoring these records closely to ensure that staff are recording all the actions taken to safeguard young people when they are absent from the home. The recording of such incidents is now much improved. These two requirements are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since the previous inspection. His proactive and energetic approach to working with young people, their families and external agencies is extremely positive. He is committed to ensuring that staff meet the individual and complex needs of young people. He leads a staff team who all know the young people very well. Young people respond to safe, nurturing care and through the trusting relationships they have with staff they are able to express their views knowing that staff will listen and take action.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An example of the constructive and collaborative work by the registered manager and staff is that a young person has become increasingly safe with a significant reduction in incidents involving leaving the home without permission. Through listening to the young person and liaising with the local authority to revise family contact arrangements, this high-risk behaviour has reduced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people have improved their engagement with education and are making good progress. For another young person who is refusing to attend school, the registered manager recognises his particular difficulties and plans are in place to ensure that his specific needs are met in a more appropriate manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are keen to promote young people’s individual interests and talents. This includes providing ample resources for young people to develop their creative and artistic skills and attend singing lessons. Young people participate in positive community activities, extending their social experiences and contributing to a healthy lifestyle.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff pay close attention to young people’s physical and emotional health. Individual strategies support young people to be healthy with a focus on healthy eating and exercise. Prompt referrals to the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) ensure that young people receive a specialist assessment resulting in effective care planning to meet their needs. A worker from CAMHS attends team meetings to support staff in compiling and reviewing strategies to support young people’s psychological development and emotional resilience. Staff are undertaking training in therapeutic parenting to further their understanding of the meaning of young people’s behaviour and provide effective support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff adopt a diligent approach to safeguarding and are thorough in recording concerns. The registered manager and deputy manager monitor these records closely to ensure that appropriate action is taken to address safeguarding issues and protect young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical intervention is used only as a last resort when there is a serious risk of harm to young people and staff. Staff receive training to apply such techniques safely. Incidents are recorded appropriately by staff and the registered manager monitors such interventions. This ensures de-escalation strategies, risk assessments and behaviour management plans provide effective guidance for the staff to manage challenging behaviour and reduce the potential of harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is continuously striving to improve the quality of care for young people living at the home. His strong and effective leadership and management of the committed staff team ensures that young people have their specific and complex needs met to high standards.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children who have 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 08/09/2016 Full Good 01/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 14/10/2015 Full Requires improvement 04/03/2015 Interim Improved 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 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 0300 123 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 children looked after 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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