Children's Home run by West Sussex County Council in West Sussex

Inspection report children’s home: SC037441 1 SC037441 Registered provider: West Sussex County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four children who have moderate or severe learning disabilities. The service provides a mix of permanent placements and short-break care.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since December 2012.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 25 February 2020

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: Good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children’s home: SC037441 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/02/2020 Full Good 16/10/2018 Full Good 31/01/2018 Full Good 03/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC037441 3

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outstanding

Children make excellent progress while living in this home. They develop a mature and responsible attitude, especially in regard to their education. As a result, one child has successfully transitioned from school to a mainstream college, and is now able to use public transport to travel independently. Another child has significantly developed his speech and language skills, and is now is able to verbally express his thoughts and feelings.

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outstanding

A strength of the home is the relationships that children form with the staff. Staff have a clear focus on gathering children’s views, wishes and feelings. The children are able to share their worries and concerns as well as their desires. Children know how to complain. This has led to an open culture in the home. Children say that they feel safe and are happy living at the home. They demonstrate that they have formed warm and trusting relationships with staff.

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outstanding

Children are confident that staff truly care for them and put their needs first. They are supported to improve their independent living skills, in particular managing their personal care, cooking and basic domestic chores. These skills prepare the children effectively for adult life.

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outstanding

Staff help children to see those individuals who are important to them, especially their families. A placing social worker said that staff have gone above and beyond their duty of care. During the various lockdowns that have taken place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have managed the children’s family contact well.

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outstanding

Staff have been successful in forming relationships with a wider network of agencies. They advocate for children to get the right help. Children attend all routine and specialist appointments, for example with behaviour and mental health services. Where services have not been available, the registered manager has challenged senior managers effectively. This means that children have ready access to a range of professionals with whom they feel comfortable. Children are in good health. They take part in healthy exercise.

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outstanding

Strong and positive attachments between the staff and the children exist. Children demonstrate a sense of ownership and responsibility throughout their time at the home. They enjoy a range of activities within the home and in the local community. Observations during the inspection showed trusting relationships between children and staff members when they were visiting the local area.

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outstanding

During the inspection, one child spoke of his personal achievements and the goals he is being supported to achieve. He is particularly proud to have achieved the bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s award, and is pleased that he is trusted to have his own front door key to the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC037441 4 The home environment is of exceptional quality. It is maintained to a high standard and children do not damage their safe, warm and comfortable haven.

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outstanding

The registered manager ensures that staff are trained in child protection matters and understand safeguarding processes. Staff are clear about what to do in the event that a concern is raised, or a disclosure is made, although they have not had to implement the procedures since the previous inspection.

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outstanding

Staff are highly skilled in supporting children with complex needs. Staff keep children safe without being risk averse. They help children to understand and manage higher-risk situations. For example, children use smartphones and other electronic devices safely with appropriate supervision and checks. Children understand the risks of using the internet and are aware of the boundaries that are in place. They are comfortable talking to staff about things that cause them concern.

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outstanding

The staff team’s approach to risk management and behavioural support strategies is exemplary. Children have comprehensive risk assessments and safety plans that are up to date and include clear control measures. Staff consistently follow the individualised plans. This helps to prevent children from being reported missing from care or engaging in dangerous behaviours. Likewise, staff ensure that behaviour support plans clearly describe strategies for defusing difficult situations, managing incidents if they do occur, and the strategies for staff to implement following an incident.

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outstanding

Members of staff are meticulous in their recording of incidents. Following such events, the management team gives priority for staff and children to participate in debriefs and reflective discussions. This informs the staff team’s thinking on how to prevent a recurrence. Staff amend existing strategies and apply new ones to minimise the possibility of a repeat incident. These strategies are discussed with the children. Staff work well with other professionals, such as education staff, to apply the strategies, thereby also keeping children as safe as possible when they are away from the home.

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outstanding

Staff exhibit a thorough understanding of safeguarding practice. They follow due process, working with other safeguarding professionals, to ensure children’s safety. Children develop emotional resilience and this results in, for example, fewer significant incidents.

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outstanding

The registered manager assures herself that all necessary checks have been completed before employing anyone in the home. This sound recruitment practice supports the outstanding safeguarding culture in the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC037441 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has a suitable qualification and has extensive experience of managing the provision effectively. She is extremely committed to improving the lives of children who live at the home, to ensure that they thrive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager gives careful consideration to new referrals. Her well- thought-out plans assess the impact of potential admissions on the children currently living in the home. Effective transition planning supports children to build positive relationships with others even before they are living in the home. This means that children feel comfortable about moving into their new home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The dynamic leadership team has made effective use of the quality standards by embedding them in everyday planning. The monitoring of the service is of great importance to the members of the leadership team. They continually assess the quality of care. In addition, the registered manager carefully considers the views of the independent visitor who visits the home every month. She is open to constructive criticism and professional dialogue as she strives to continually improve the quality of care for the children and the working environment for staff. The registered manager also uses her six-monthly review of the quality of care to reflect critically on performance and drive forward improvement. The members of the leadership team have a visible presence in the home and are available to staff and children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Since the previous inspection, the registered manager has shown exceptional leadership. She has ensured that the requirements and recommendation set at the previous inspection have been addressed. A new and improved staffing structure has been introduced that functions extremely well. Leadership activity is supported by two competent deputy managers and an experienced responsible individual. Staff say they feel very well supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A significant strength of this home is the staff team. Staff are qualified, experienced and highly motivated. Staff enjoy their roles and are highly committed to meeting the needs of the children. The staff team is cohesive, professional and competent. The staff work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children. There is a culture of continual reflection, development and improvement. Staff put children at the centre of their practice and morale is high.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Effective systems are in place for communication between staff who work on different shifts. Information is readily available to staff, thus minimising the time they spend on reading documents and maximising the time they spend with children. A parent said, ‘I can only give positive feedback. The communication and support are excellent.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager attends various networking groups that are designed to strengthen childcare practice. She shares new research with her team and is effective in inspiring staff to adapt and remain motivated. Inspection report children’s home: SC037441 6 The registered manager has a clear development plan that demonstrates a commitment to maintaining and continuously improving standards. The leadership team supports staff through regular and meaningful supervision. This enables staff to reflect on practice and improve their own individual skills. Inspection report children’s home: SC037441 7

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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: SC037441 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: West Sussex County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: West Sussex County Council, County Hall, West Street, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1RQ

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Inspector

Paul Thomas, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC037441 9 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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