Children's Home run by Child First Limited in West 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 . Young people make progress while living in the home. The two young people who have remained in placement since the last inspection both attend education as planned and any behaviours that previously placed them at risk, such as substance misuse or being missing, have significantly reduced. Three young people have moved into the home since the last inspection, and their transitions were tailored to meet their needs. Two have moved in only recently and it is too early to evaluate the effectiveness of their placements. However, one young person has a part-time job and the other attends school mostly as planned. They are engaging well with staff and have agreed to plans regarding many aspects of their lives and areas where they need the most support. The third young person admitted since the last inspection attends a mainstream school as planned

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and is learning many new life skills. The home works closely with the police and placing authority to address missing from care issues, and supports the young person to understand the risks involved by absconding from the home. Young people were positive about the home and staff, and all were observed to engage appropriately with staff during the inspection. They sought staff out for help and guidance, but also just to sit with and socialise. Social workers are complimentary about the home, the progress young people have made and their communication with staff. Three young people have moved on since the last inspection. Two moved as the home recognised they could not meet their needs and the young people were not engaging. Staff had tried various interventions with one young person, including a short break in Scotland. The third was accessing the home for short breaks, and it was recognised this arrangement was not suitable for him or the others living in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the home. Young people’s actions and demeanour show they feel safe in the home. Staff are confident in processes to follow should they be worried or concerned for a young person’s safety or welfare, and they have regular training in safeguarding, including radicalisation and exploitation in all forms. They are acutely aware of the risk young people may be at when they are away from the home, and note any changes in behaviour or new possessions on their return. Staff work closely with specialist police officers and raise their worries directly with young people to ensure they have an understanding of the risk they may be at. Staff recognise the extra vulnerability of the young people in the home due to their personal experiences, which include sexual exploitation, substance misuse and being an unaccompanied minor. Incidents of young people being missing have reduced for some, as has substance misuse. Those who are new to the home are supported to access

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

specialist services in order to consider their substance misuse, emotional well-being or sexual health. Some young people are currently engaging with youth offending services as a result of instances prior to their placement. All attend sessions as planned and have not reoffended while in placement. Staff work effectively as a team to ensure all young people know what is expected of them. Sanctions are fair and proportionate and increasingly rely on young people making a decision on what they need to do to make the situation right. This restorative approach is still being embedded in practice. There is purposeful evaluation of how effective any measures have been in reducing unwanted behaviour. Restraint is very rarely used, and only when all other options have been exhausted. Young people identified bullying was an issue in the home initiated by some former residents. This was responded to swiftly and was a factor when

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

determining if their placement could continue. The registered manager and senior team regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the service through their in-house checks and monitoring. They utilise detailed reports produced monthly by the independent visitor in line with regulation 44. The development plan for the home is included within the manager’s monitoring to ensure all areas are considered and to streamline processes. The three requirements set at the last inspection have all been met, and there are no new requirements or recommendations arising from this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to five children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

28/01/2015 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 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 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, work- based 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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates at: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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