Children's home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in Mid Sussex

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC359812 1 SC359812

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home that is registered to provide care for up to two children who have emotional and/or behavioural problems. Education can be provided at the organisation’s school.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 15 and 16 June 2017. Two compliance notices and five requirements were made in order to address the breaches of regulations and shortfalls in practice. The date set for meeting the compliance notices and requirements was 28 July 2017. This monitoring inspection was undertaken to assess the progress that the home has made in meeting the compliance notices and requirements. The registered person has taken realistic and comprehensive measures to address all of the shortfalls identified at the inspection undertaken in June 2017.

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This monitoring visit

The following compliance notice was made under Regulation 12, the protection of children standard: In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure that; (2)(iii) staff have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm (2)(v) staff understand the roles and responsibilities held by themselves and all agencies in relation to protecting children (2)(vii) staff are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. Implement systems that allow leaders and managers to audit the effectiveness of such training (2)(e) the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC359812 2 The registered manager has overseen improvements in the staff’s knowledge and capabilities in ensuring that they can competently identify and act immediately on

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This monitoring visit

safeguarding concerns about the young people. Since the last inspection, staff undertook refresher child protection and safeguarding training, and they have further training booked in September 2017. Team meetings have addressed staff’s failure to report and share information, with staff being given clear direction about the importance of good information sharing at all times. The team members have an increased focus on safeguarding and use daily handovers, team meetings and supervision sessions to review and reflect on potential or actual safeguarding concerns. The registered person has taken suitable action in relation to poor practice of staff not reporting or sharing safeguarding concerns. Training has enabled staff to gain an increased knowledge of their roles and responsibilities in relation to the protection of young people. The staff understand the importance of taking individual responsibility for identifying concerns and not relying on colleagues to report and

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This monitoring visit

record. There is an increased awareness demonstrated by staff and the registered manager of the roles and responsibilities of safeguarding agencies. Effective systems are now in place that allow the registered manager to monitor the training that staff receive. This ranges from post-training questionnaires to reflection in team meetings and one-to-one supervision, plus competency testing. In addition, the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policy is monitored through the registered manager’s supervision and regular company-wide manager meetings. This compliance notice is met.

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This monitoring visit

The following compliance notice was made under regulation 23:

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This monitoring visit

In order to meet the Medicines regulation, the registered person must ensure that:

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This monitoring visit

(2)(b) medication which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed; (2)(c) a clear and accurate record is kept of the administration of medicines to each child; (2) that staff are competent to administer medication and to identify errors made by themselves or others. The registered manager has overseen improvements in the staff’s practice in relation to the safe administration and recording of medication. Medication records show no errors since the last inspection and young people receive the correct dose of medicines at the prescribed time. Safe practice was seen in all aspects of medication administration. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC359812 3 The staff have undertaken refresher training on safe medication administration. When the service changes to a new system later in the year, staff will receive further training. Competency testing has been introduced so the registered manager can

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This monitoring visit

monitor staff’s ability to safely administer medication. This also allows for the registered manager to identify any gaps in individual knowledge or practice and to acknowledge expertise. Training includes managing errors. The home’s medication policy refers to medication errors possibly meeting thresholds for safeguarding or designated officer referrals. The company takes disciplinary action as a result of internal investigations in response to medication errors. This compliance notice is met. In addition to the two compliance notices, a further five requirements were also made. The home’s response to the five requirements are: The statement of purpose has been reviewed and updated to include all points raised at the last inspection. The age range, information on the effectiveness of therapy, and more detailed information about the referral and admission process has been added. The location risk assessment has been reviewed and now includes more detailed

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This monitoring visit

information about the risk of child sexual exploitation, drugs misuse and criminality in the local and surrounding area. The company’s disciplinary policy has been rewritten. The steps and measures of the disciplinary process are now clearer. The policy provides examples of misconduct and gross misconduct. The registered manager and senior managers have an improved knowledge and understanding of the disciplinary procedures and their stages, and the processes to follow. The company as a whole is reviewing its systems in gaining and considering the opinions of the children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. There is an increased focus on the registered manager and the staff team recording the feedback received. Work has been completed to evaluate the effectiveness of staff training. Training is discussed in team meetings and individual supervision sessions. Competency testing, for example in medication administration, is being delivered to all staff. Overall,

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This monitoring visit

there is improved reflection on training and how effective it is for staff to deliver good standards of care. All five requirements are judged to be met. Leaders and managers have taken sufficient action in response to the two compliance notices and five requirements. No further action will be taken by Ofsted as a result of this monitoring visit. The home will continue to be inspected in line with Ofsted’s usual inspection processes. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC359812 4

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/06/2017 Full Inadequate 16/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/09/2016 Full Good 23/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC359812 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC359812 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: My Choice Children’s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: My Choice Children’s Homes Ltd, Unit 3a, Mill Green Business Estate, Mill Green Road, Haywards Heath RH16 1XQ

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Inspector

Liz Driver, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC359812 7 to 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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