Children's Home run by Southern Adolescent Care Services Ltd in West Sussex

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC061795 1 SC061795

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home can provide care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Senior leaders of the provider that acquired this group of homes ceased operating the home in August 2021. The provider accepted a condition to give Ofsted three months’ notice of its intention to operate. Since that time, a full review of the service, which includes refurbishment of the home and staff recruitment, has been completed. Senior leaders have told Ofsted that the home is now ready to operate.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since August 2021.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Extensive refurbishment and redecoration have been completed. Rooms that were previously used as office areas are now dedicated lounge and quiet areas for the children. One single office is now located at the back of the home, no longer dominating the downstairs space. Internal closed circuit television cameras have been removed. This adds to the domestic and homely feel of the home. All necessary health and safety checks and measures have been completed, so that leaders are reassured about safety.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The children’s bedrooms are bright, clean and ready for children to move into. These bedrooms are a blank canvas, ready for the children to add their personal touches. Bedrooms for the staff are situated to provide the necessary levels of night-time supervision, with staff in close proximity to the children, in the event of an emergency.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have systematically addressed the concerns and issues that they identified as their reasons for temporarily closing the home. A new responsible Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC061795 2 individual has been appointed and the manager has submitted her application to be registered with Ofsted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The staff team is comprised of staff who worked at this home previously, some who worked in the provider’s other children’s homes, and some newly recruited staff. The latter has been subject to sound recruitment practice. All staff are either suitably qualified or working to achieve the required level 3 diploma.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager is fully aware of the home’s history. Consequently, she has been an integral part of the review that has resulted in lessons learned. During this inspection, three staff members confirmed their own inclusion in this process. They spoke of ‘difficult findings’, and one staff member said, ‘It was painful, but needed to be done.’ This inclusive review has resulted in the staff team’s shared understanding of how they will be supported to deliver on the aims and objectives of the new statement of purpose.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have followed their plan well. The involvement from senior leadership, including the chief executive officer, has reassured the staff team of the leadership’s strong commitment to improve. Initial interim leadership arrangements were clear and targeted. The manager and staff received daily input from a senior leader, complemented by the organisation’s training provision. One staff member said, ‘We have gone from being an island to a continent.’ And another said, ‘Being part of a bigger organisation feels safer and professional.’

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff training, with a particular focus on safeguarding, has also considered the three requirements that were made from the previous inspection. There is a uniformed approach in readiness to use for children’s care planning, and there is a coherent plan to consider referrals received from placing authorities. The manager knows what and how she is going to monitor. Team meetings have already started, as has the process for staff’s individual supervision meetings.

p.2

This monitoring visit

All staff demonstrate a shared understanding of the next phase of reopening the home. This starts with a staggered approach to new children moving in. Staff are eager to welcome children, which they say will be based on a comprehensive assessment process.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Ofsted is reassured by the considered approach of the senior leadership over the last five months. The root and branch review resulted in targeted training that has successfully reset the culture of this home. Consequently, the three-month condition has been removed and the home is judged ready to operate. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC061795 3

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.3

Recent inspection history

18/05/2021 Full Outstanding 08/10/2019 Full Outstanding 01/08/2018 Full Outstanding 13/09/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC061795 4

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.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC061795 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Southern Adolescent Care Services Ltd

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Second Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 4AH

p.5

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jacqueline Hickman

p.5

Inspector

Sophie Wood, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC061795 6 regulates and inspects 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.5

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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6