Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes 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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last full inspection in December 2016, an overall judgement of ‘good’ was made. However, some of the shortfalls identified resulted in a judgement of ‘requires improvement’ being made on the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Five requirements and five recommendations were made at the full inspection. The registered manager has taken a positive approach to addressing these, but the requirement relating to case records has not yet been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been an overall improvement in the assessment and management of risk. Young people’s individual risk assessments now reflect each young person’s vulnerabilities and level of risk accurately. Risk assessments relating to the potential for a young person to become sexually exploited are particularly strong. They contain sufficient detail to alert staff to the relevant background history, and clear guidance on what should alert staff to the possibility of risk levels increasing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The trusting relationships staff build with young people are a protective factor. Young people have the confidence to discuss sensitive issues, such as personal relationships, with staff. They are given caring, nurturing, advice and guidance in response. One young person has significantly reduced the severity and frequency of unsafe behaviours since moving to the home. Currently, no young people are going missing from the home. There are clear protocols and risk management strategies for staff to follow should this become an issue in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective behaviour management strategies ensure that, over time, young people demonstrate less challenging behaviour. Key-work sessions are focused on addressing the individual needs of young people and promoting positive behaviour. Incentives have been particularly successful in helping one young person to maintain positive behaviour and make progress towards meeting targets.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection in December 2016 a recommendation was made in relation to maintaining written child protection records. Some progress has been made, although records do not yet consistently provide a clear audit trail of actions taken in response to a child protection referral being made to the placing authority. Since the last inspection there have been no new admissions to the home. Therefore, at this inspection, it was not possible to fully assess the registered manager’s response to the requirement made about this process. However, the registered manager has reflected on why the procedures have not always been followed and identified how he will do things differently in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good progress has been made in relation to monitoring the quality of care being provided. The registered manager has implemented a new system for ensuring that all aspects of the service are frequently monitored. A review of documents during this inspection demonstrated that the registered manager has monitored all significant events and reflected on how staff managed the incidents. The monitoring undertaken by the home’s independent visitor is particularly effective at identifying any shortfalls in the quality of care provided.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff duty rosters were reviewed during this inspection. One example was found where the roster did not accurately record the staff who actually worked in the home on a day when there was a staff shortage.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strong and effective action has been taken to ensure that all staff now receive practice-based supervision within the timescale stated in the home’s statement of purpose. The quality of supervision is good, and ensures that any weaknesses in staff performance are identified. Staff are provided with excellent support to develop their practice. This has included consultation with a psychology consultant to explore ways in which staff can improve their working relationships with young people. The recommendation made in December 2016, in relation to providing timely safeguarding training for new employees who cannot immediately access the organisation’s full training course, has been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have not taken effective action to ensure that the requirement made in relation to maintaining case records has been met. There is no signed local authority placement plan for one young person. Consequently, a written record of the statutory provision under which accommodation is being provided, and who has the authority to consent to medical treatment, is not kept. Senior managers have consistently failed, over a prolonged period, to ensure that this regulation is met across the organisation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are making excellent progress across all aspects of their lives. They are motivated to attend school and college despite having long histories of negative experiences in education. Young people make steady progress towards gaining the independence skills they will need when they move on from the home. Staff are aware of the potential for some young people to become socially isolated, and they sensitively engage these young people in exploring ways to engage more in community-based activities. Amendments have been made to young people’s care plans, and these now clearly identify the goals and targets that young people are working towards. Progress is monitored and recorded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some improvements have been made to the way medication is stored, in response to the recommendation made at the full inspection. The registered manager acknowledges that further improvements could be made, and gave an assurance that these will be implemented when the office is refurbished. Similarly, progress has been made in relation to the recommendation made regarding promoting independent advocacy. There are now information leaflets available in the home about local advocacy services. However, the registered manager again acknowledges that more could be done to promote advocacy, such as inviting representatives from the advocacy service to attend the home and explain the role of an advocate to the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In other respects, staff ensure that young people have ample opportunities to express their views on how they are being cared for. Young people complete questionnaires regarding their experience of living at the home, and these indicate that they feel safe and secure. Young people have also been involved in the process for recruiting new members of staff. Good planning and preparation is being undertaken with one young person, to establish her views on appropriate future admissions to the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The premises are well maintained, and provide a comfortable, nurturing environment. Over time, young people gain a sense of stability and belonging. This settled environment provides young people with the opportunity to build positive relationships with the staff and begin to overcome past negative experiences.

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Information about this children's home

This privately run children's home offers accommodation for up to two young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/12/2016 Full Good 10/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/08/2015 Full Good 23/01/2015 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) meets 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 maintain records ('case records') for each child which includes the information and documents listed in Schedule 3. (Regulation 36(1)(a)) Specifically, ensure that there is a signed local authority placement plan for each child, which sets out the statutory provision under which the child is provided with accommodation. 30/04/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that the records specified in regulations 35–39 are kept in the children's home. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3) Specifically, ensure that an accurate record is kept of the actual roster of staff working in the home.  Ensure that case records are kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3) Specifically, ensure that child protection records are updated to reflect all actions taken in response to a concern, and that outcomes are recorded.

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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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