Children's Home run by The Ryes College Limited in Norfolk

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to six children who have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since 30 June 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: Not previously inspected

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not previously inspected

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We identified no serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: 2537782 2

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The care of children

The staff understand the children’s needs very well and this helps them to look after them well. Placing social workers said that the staff really care about the children.

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The care of children

Despite COVID-19, and through the lockdown, the staff have made sure that the children can keep in touch with friends and family who are important to them. One child said that this had been ‘perfect’.

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The care of children

The children have been able to continue with their education, as there is a school on site. They are making progress in their education through attending school and because of the support from the staff, such as reading with the children.

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The care of children

The staff build good relationships with children. A social worker spoke of ‘mutual respect’ between a child and the registered manager, which is a significant achievement for the child.

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The care of children

The staff seek, listen to and act on the children’s views. Examples of this include decisions about levels of contact that the children have with their families, the content of their plans and how they want the staff to respond to them when they are upset.

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The safety of children

Children become safer over their time at the home. For some, this means a reduction in the frequency of going missing and for others a notable decrease in the number of times that they need to be restrained.

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The safety of children

The staff know and understand the children well. This helps them to manage situations effectively and keep the children safer. The staff are proactive in working with social workers to develop plans that address specific risks for children.

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The safety of children

The children feel safe at the home. They know about COVID-19 and the safety measures that are in place in the community.

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The safety of children

The staff set out clear boundaries for the children so that they understand what is expected of them and they can learn to manage their own behaviour. The manager and staff have good relationships with the local police. The children think that the staff are fair.

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The safety of children

The staff know about the risks to children, but in one case an identified risk was not included in the child’s risk assessment. The staff know about the risk, but there are several new staff and others due to start. Not including the risk in the written assessment does leave possible gaps and does not allow for the risk to be regularly reviewed. Assurance visit report: 2537782 3 Managers respond appropriately to potential safeguarding issues, including referrals to the designated officer. This helps to make sure that the home is a safe place for children to live.

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Leaders and managers

The manager and staff really care about the children. The manager manages the home well. This is recognised and valued by the staff and placing social workers.

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Leaders and managers

There are strong relationships with others, such as placing social workers and the police. These relationships help to make sure that the children receive consistent and effective care.

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Leaders and managers

Despite being a largely new staff team, the managers are working to build a consistent team and equip the staff for their roles. While some training has been delayed because of COVID-19, managers are working with the organisation’s training officer to address this and to provide staff with knowledge to help them care for the children well.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager leads a culture of continuous improvement at the home. She uses the views of others, such as social workers and children, to identify areas for improvement.

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Recommendations

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) In particular, assess the level of risk and make sure that all staff understand how to protect the children. Assurance visit report: 2537782 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Ryes College Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Skyview Business Centre, 9 Church Field Road, Sudbury CO10 2YA

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Inspector

Clive Lucas, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2537782 5 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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