Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2576409 1

p.1

Compass Children’s Homes Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This is the home’s first visit since registration in May 2020. This visit was carried out to enable the regulator to obtain an initial assessment of children’s lived experience at the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Ofsted did not physically visit the home. Instead, the inspector gathered evidence in several different ways, including talking to the manager, children and members of staff. The manager also provided electronic documents for the inspector to review.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Since the home was registered, four children have left the home, with some moving to provisions closer to their home. There is currently one child living at the home. The child has settled in well and has developed good relationships with the staff.

p.1

This monitoring visit

During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, children have been supported to keep in contact with their families by means of computer applications and telephone calls. This means that children do not feel isolated from the people who are important to them.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff spend time with children discussing their understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic. Children have not always followed the guidelines in place. However, staff continue to provide advice and support to help children make informed choices. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2576409 2 Staff understand how to manage risk and how to keep children safe. They have up- to-date knowledge of a broad and relevant range of safeguarding matters. Risk assessments and management plans are in place and offer guidance to the staff in response to the needs of the children.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Some members of staff’s response to children’s challenging behaviour has not been consistent, and not all staff members are fully confident or competent in dealing with some behaviours displayed by children. For example, during a challenging incident, staff members moved themselves in the staff office as a de-escalation technique. This practice is not safe and does not give a consistent, positive message to the children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The previous manager has recently cancelled her registration with the home, to take up a different role within the organisation. A new manager, who was previously the deputy at the home, has been appointed and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff have access to a wide range of training opportunities, which means that they can offer consistent care that supports children’s progress.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager has restricted the numbers of people who come to visit the home at any one time. Good use has been made of virtual visits and technology. For example, strategy meetings and care planning meetings have taken place via electronic applications. This has helped to keep children, professionals and staff safe during the pandemic.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2576409 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.3

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.3

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person.

p.3

Requirement Due date

This relates to staff and managers managing incidents of challenging behaviour more effectively. 18 April 2021

p.3

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.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2576409 4

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Ltd

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Mountfields House, Epinal Way, Off Squirrel Way, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3GE

p.4

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jessica Middleton

p.4

Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2576409 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.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5