Children's home run by Southern Adolescent Care Services Ltd in Crawley

Assurance visit report: SC487196 1 SC487196

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Information about this children’s home

The staff at this home care for up to five children who have experienced adverse circumstances in their past, resulting in them having a range of difficulties, particularly relating to attachment disorders.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since June 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 10 January 2019

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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. Assurance visit report: SC487196 2

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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.

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The care of children

Children are well cared for. The home is a relaxed environment that is bright and welcoming. They spoke positively about the home and said that they understand why anyone would like to live here.

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The care of children

Children benefit from positive and trusting relationships with staff. Children spoke well of staff and believe that they are being helped and supported with their lives. Where there is tension between children, staff work to support resolution. Children’s needs are met.

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The care of children

Staff work in partnership with tutors and other professionals to ensure that children’s education is maintained. Staff support a clear and structured education programme and have consistent expectations for the completion of work. No non- educational activity can take place during school hours, and work is completed in suitable areas of the house and not in bedrooms. One child has made good progress and thrives on the one-to-one support on offer.

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The care of children

Children’s health needs are well met, and attendance at appointments is supported. Staff challenge inconsistent approaches from health professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for children. Children show an understanding of COVID-19 and the impact of this pandemic. They recognise the need to keep healthy and follow restrictions.

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The care of children

COVID-19 has had an impact on children’s time with family. Children use technology to keep in touch, and staff supervise face-to-face contact with family to ensure social distancing. During lockdown, staff supported a child with a sensitive visit to a family member.

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The safety of children

Staff understand how to manage risk and keep children safe. There is a strong process in place for responding to children who go missing. This includes calling the child, looking in places where the child goes and making contact with friends of the child. When children go missing, staff ensure that appropriate actions are taken to safeguard children, and return home interviews are completed.

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The safety of children

Clear and detailed assessments of risk form a strong part of staff’s practice. There is a process in place that ensures that all staff are aware of the needs of every child and of any risks. They know how to respond and work together to ensure the safety of a child. Assurance visit report: SC487196 3 Staff recognise the impact of lockdown on relationships, and incidents of bullying were successfully addressed through individual work and events such as house meetings.

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The safety of children

Children said that they feel safe. An incident relating to external threats against a child was managed carefully by staff, who worked in close partnership with the police and placing authority.

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The safety of children

Safeguarding training is consistent, and this enables staff to develop and maintain an understanding of the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma and to know how to respond in order to keep children safe.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is newly registered with Ofsted. She is an experienced social care professional who has worked at the home for nearly two years. She shows good knowledge of the home, staffing and what is needed. The manager has kept a consistent group of bank workers to reduce any potential for COVID-19 exposure to anyone in the house.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has good knowledge of the children and their needs and is a strong advocate for them. For example, she is currently challenging a decision not to fund a college place for a young person who has made improvements in her behaviour and who she feels should not be in a specialist provision.

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Leaders and managers

Clear and consistent boundaries are in place that children understand, and the manager and staff promote adherence. Children sometimes push boundaries, but the resulting sanctions are not punitive.

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Leaders and managers

There is an understanding of the need to keep children aware of events around them both locally and nationally. COVID-19 was explained to them, and the manager ensured that they watched the daily briefings together and they were all involved in the weekly ‘Clap for carers’ activity.

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Leaders and managers

Staff benefit from regular supervision and discussion about their development. Any identified gaps in knowledge are addressed in additional and specific training to enhance effectiveness.

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Leaders and managers

The manager shows strong leadership relating to safeguarding concerns and good partnership working. The incident of external threats against a child resulted in significant working with a range of partner agencies and with parents.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is now aware of how monitoring reports can be improved and has taken this on board. Children’s views and wishes are consistently sought in a range of ways. However, the translation of this data is not always clear.

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Leaders and managers

The requirement made at the last inspection relating to the qualification of staff has been met. Assurance visit report: SC487196 4 No requirements or recommendations are made following this visit.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Southern Adolescent Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Room 8, Worth Corner, Turners Hill Road, Pound Hill, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 7SL

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Sharon Jenner, Sarah Chaston

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Inspector

Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC487196 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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Inspector

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