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

Inspection report children’s home: SC426530 1 SC426530 Registered provider: My Choice Children’s Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children and young people who have a range of emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is one of nine children’s homes operated by this private company.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 3 September 2019.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 24 October 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC426530 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/10/2018 Full Good 07/12/2017 Full Good 01/11/2016 Full Good 07/09/2016 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: SC426530 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young people make good progress during their time at the home. For some young people this takes time as they are supported to manage previous life experiences that can hinder their progress. Recent months have been significantly positive in terms of the progress made by the young people.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Detailed care plans and risk assessments enable the staff to deliver individualised care and support. Building positive relationships with the young people is a firm focus for the staff team. For some young people developing trusting relationships can be difficult, but the staff are sensitive to this and support the young people to experience the benefits, even if it takes time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A significant area of progress is the education attendance and achievements of the young people. All young people attend school or college. This is tremendous progress for one young person who has not been in education for many years, and was the result of the highly supportive and trusting relationships staff have built with the young person over time. In addition, close working between the staff and the school ensures that, in the main, this was a positive experience for the young person. The registered manager and the staff have helped the young person to achieve this integration back into school where others have failed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young people have a voice in the running of the home and in the decisions that are made about their lives. They are confident in making their voices heard. The staff use a variety of methods to ensure that all young people can express themselves; for one young person this is by using pictures to enable staff to confirm what they think the young person is saying. On most occasions, the young people listen to the staff and take guidance from them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young people also make progress in their health and in managing their emotions. They have access to an external therapist and other specialists where needed; this includes child mental health and sexual health professionals. The staff work collaboratively with the external professionals who provide weekly therapy sessions, consultations and activity-based youth work. For young people with diagnosed health conditions the staff are trained in supporting and delivering emergency protocols, including the administration of emergency medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This inspection was undertaken during half term, when the young people all had activities of their choice planned. The young people were engaging well with the staff. The positive relationships enable the home to function in a calm and organised way, and this was clearly evident during this inspection. Inspection report children’s home: SC426530 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The registered manager and the staff team provide a safe environment for the young people. The registered manager is suitably trained and qualified to oversee all aspects of safeguarding. This includes oversight of staff practice and record keeping. Adherence to safeguarding protocols and procedures ensures that any concern or allegation is managed well. For those young people who express themselves through unsafe challenging behaviours or misplaced allegations, the staff work with them effectively to find alternative and safe ways of expressing their emotions and frustrations.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The significant reduction in the number of missing-from-home incidents, restraints and police call-outs has been noticed by the local police, who commented positively about the home’s current management of the young people. There have been no police call-outs since September 2019; this is a significant decrease from previous months.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Overall, and in a relatively short period of time, the registered manager has overseen a significant reduction in young people’s risky behaviours and incidents of self-harm. Relationships between staff in the home and external agencies has improved, with the registered manager committed to maintaining these good working relationships. Where there is a change in a young person’s behaviour, the staff respond quickly to review strategies to manage this and to understand the underlying factors leading to the change.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff are competent in assessing risk. The young people are helped to understand risk and how to stay safe. Staff also acknowledge the need for the young people to retain appropriate independence.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The young people’s safety is promoted through careful recruitment procedures. Robust health and safety checks ensure that the physical environment of the home is safe and protects young people from this aspect of harm, or the risk of harm.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff are very aware of the risks young people may face online. The staff demonstrate excellent practice in their approach to the gaming systems enjoyed by the young people. By bringing the use of online games into the hub of the home, rather than letting young people use them in isolation in their bedrooms, staff promote openness, education and safe practices. The staff have also ensured that social media and internet supervision is robust by having computers located on the ground floor in the conservatory. This enables close supervision and prevents the young people from isolating themselves in their bedrooms.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has brought stability to the home. She is suitably experienced and skilled to fulfil her role. She is currently completing a level 5 diploma in leadership and management, due to finish in 2020. She has a positive effect on the home and has successfully implemented changes since her Inspection report children’s home: SC426530 5 registration. This impact, over a short period of time, has resulted in a calm and well organised home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is more stable. Recruitment procedures are positive, and the staff team provides greater consistency of care. The staff team is fully supportive of the registered manager and of the changes she has made. Staff morale has improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff attend training that covers a wide range of areas, including developmental trauma and mental and emotional well-being. There is always at least one member of staff on duty who is first aid trained; this covers the use of ligatures and how to respond to this. On one occasion, individual staff refresher training identified as needed as a result of an investigation was not actioned.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is supported by a senior manager within the company who visits regularly. The registered manager has access to regular informal supervision, however she has not had formal supervision since the start of this year.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The monitoring and auditing systems are well established. The registered manager has implemented systems to ensure that she understands the home’s strengths and areas for improvement. Management information enables the manager to view data, assess trends and patterns and change practices when required. Internal auditing systems are supplemented by monthly independent visits that provide a good standard of oversight and challenge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals are very complimentary about the home, the care staff provide and the quality of their communication. One professional praised the staff for their communication and for their diligence and commitment in caring for a young person. Inspection report children’s home: SC426530 6

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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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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager is to receive regular formal supervision. 30/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33 (4)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff receive the additional training identified in investigation outcomes as being required. 30/04/2020

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC426530 7

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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: 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 children’s home: SC426530 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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