Children's Home run by Anderida Adolescent Care Ltd 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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection, in July 2016, young people have generally made good – and in some cases exceptional – progress across many aspects of their lives. When young people’s progress is not maintained, managers and staff take highly effective action to address the underlying causes. Consequently, young people are motivated to reduce any unsafe behaviours they may have been engaging in, and renew their efforts to meet the targets they are working towards.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection, one requirement was made in relation to staffing levels being maintained in accordance with the home’s statement of purpose in order to prevent young people from harming one another. This requirement has been fully met. The statement of purpose has been amended. Staffing levels have been increased during periods of disruption to ensure that confrontational behaviour is managed effectively and young people do not physically harm one another. Partly as a result of this action being taken, peer relationships have significantly improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation was made at the full inspection in relation to supporting young people to develop greater understanding and empathy towards one another. This has been achieved through individual therapy sessions for the young people and consistent application of the home’s therapeutic model of care. The young people are now more tolerant of one another and, overall, they enjoy positive relationships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three other recommendations were made at the last inspection. The first of these was specific to the home’s child protection policy and related to the management of allegations made against staff. At the time of this interim inspection, the policy had not been updated to make clear the procedures for suspending a member of staff when an allegation has been made. This was rectified during this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In practice, the management of allegations is strong. Leaders and managers respond in a timely manner, and consult all relevant professionals. Effective action is taken to ensure that young people are kept safe after an allegation has been made. Staff have the confidence to report any concerns they may have regarding a colleague’s practice. This indicates that a strong safeguarding culture is embedded in practice throughout the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have taken action to ensure that the recommendation relating to placing authority documentation has been met. As a result, the home now has signed copies of the local authority placement plan for each young person. Leaders and managers are skilled in developing positive working relationships with placing authorities, which ensures that productive partnership working is maintained. They robustly challenge professionals from the placing authority when they perceive that these professionals are not working in the best interests of the young person. This has recently resulted in a compromise being reached in terms of the most appropriate educational provision for one young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The final recommendation made at the last inspection was in relation to safe recruitment procedures. Again, effective action has been taken to address the issue to ensure the accuracy of all information recorded. A new system has been introduced for recording and monitoring all aspects of the recruitment process. In addition, the process has been strengthened following a decision to seek references from all former employers involved in the care of children, young people and adults.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the full inspection in July 2016, the registered manager has left the home to take up a new position within the organisation. The home is now managed by an experienced deputy manager from another of the organisation’s homes. The transition has been accomplished well and disruption to the lives of the young people has been kept to a minimum. At the time of this inspection, the regulator was processing an application for the new manager to become registered. One shortfall was identified in respect of managers not providing Ofsted with amended copies of the home’s statement of purpose within the required timescale.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding and child protection practice in the home is highly effective. Actions taken in response to incidents of young people going missing from the home are well coordinated and significantly reduce the potential for young people to come to harm. Partnership working with relevant agencies ensures that there is a multi- disciplinary response to developing strategies and interventions to reduce missing episodes. Staff adopt the home’s therapeutic model when communicating with young people about going missing. Young people often respond positively to being made aware of the anxiety and concern experienced by staff and family members when they go missing from the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a thorough understanding of the potential for young people to become exploited when accessing the internet and social media websites. This ensures that they are vigilant to any signs that young people may be putting themselves in dangerous situations. Staff have responded effectively to prevent young people from becoming involved in unsafe relationships. They take a sensitive approach to discussing these issues with the young people; this has resulted in young people being able to disclose and reflect on past behaviours that could have put them at risk. Despite occasional setbacks, all young people are making positive progress. They are developing the skills to manage their anger and frustration effectively. Consequently, they are less likely to find themselves in conflict with others. Young people also respond positively to the educational provision secured by the organisation. In some cases, young people’s attendance levels at college are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

excellent and they all benefit from successfully undertaking work experience placements. Staff prioritise the need for young people to gain age-appropriate independence skills. Young people respond positively, and are becoming well prepared for life as young adults.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, the home provides vulnerable young people with a well-organised, nurturing environment, where they make good progress in overcoming past negative experiences. Young people respond well to the encouragement and praise they receive from the staff, who consistently recognise the young people’s achievements and help them gain improved self-esteem and emotional stability.

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Information about this children's home

The setting is registered to accommodate up to two young people, irrespective of gender, who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/07/2016 Full Good 22/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/12/2015 Full Good 26/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16(3)(b)) 30/04/2017

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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 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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