Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd in East Sussex

Inspection report for children's home: 1263129 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company and was registered in November 2017. The statement of purpose states that the home provides a residential therapeutic community which provides high-quality care and substitute parenting for children who display sexualised problematic behaviour. The organisation operates a registered school on the same site. The registered school was not inspected as part of this inspection.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

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.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1263129 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/03/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/01/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 05/07/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: 1263129 3

p.2

outstanding

The staff work diligently and effectively to build trusting and non-judgmental relationships with the children. The children openly discuss their worries, their histories and their futures with the skilled staff who care for them. This promotes the children’s identities and self-worth. As a result, the staff help the children to develop a greater understanding of themselves and to become more confident.

p.3

outstanding

The children say that they feel listened to, are valued, and are supported to make positive contributions and changes in their home. The staff support the children to be active members in the daily house meetings and to share their achievements. This supportive approach means the children develop a sense of permanency and friendship.

p.3

outstanding

Children benefit from enjoyable first-time experiences, supported sensitively by staff. The staff help the children to get the most out of each planned activity. The children spoke fondly about their holiday to the Isle of Wight, camping under the stars, zip lining and fishing with the staff. These enriching examples instil positive childhood memories.

p.3

outstanding

Regular school attendance is embedded and accepted as part of the everyday routine for the children. This foundation helps the children to make exceptional progress from their starting points. Most of the children had been unable to attend school on a full-time basis due to concerns about their behaviours in their communities. Consequently, most have a disrupted educational history with poor attendance and achievement. However, one child has recently obtained early GCSE’s, provisionally securing them college placement to gain A levels in sports journalism.

p.3

outstanding

The staff encourage the children to complete regular vocational qualifications. This is in line with their plans and independence programmes. The children receive accredited certificates for their completion of qualifications, and the staff present these beautifully to them in an achievement folder. The children take these folders with them when they leave the home, meaning that they can reflect on their accomplishments and can use them when seeking further qualifications and future employment. This enhances the children’s life opportunities and prospects.

p.3

outstanding

The staff methodically use a researched model of care that supports the children in everything that they do. This underpins the core values of the therapeutic practices that the staff demonstrate in the home. This means that the children are supported with a consistent and collaborative approach.

p.3

outstanding

The staff promote the children’s psychological and emotional well-being to a very high standard. The staff support the children to attend regular sessions with a Inspection report for children's home: 1263129 4 qualified therapist to help them to talk about their past and present at a pace suited to their current abilities. This enables the children to learn from their experiences and to build on implementing strategies and coping methods, with a view to living safely in their wider communities.

p.3

outstanding

Staff have a strong and cohesive awareness of the children’s vulnerabilities and needs. Staff practice focuses on making sure everyone is safe. The children all have staff, including therapists, whom they can talk to if they have any worries or concerns. The staff proactively refer the children to the relevant agencies when they believe that further measures are needed to keep the children safe. This means that the children are safer and, as a result, their behaviours are improving.

p.4

outstanding

The staff are dedicated and work tirelessly to resolve and minimise conflict between the children in the home. There is an emphasis on group-living and the importance of tolerance and acceptance. The culture in the home affords the children the opportunity to voice their concerns about the dynamics within the home. This constant reflection provides a forum where differences can be safely voiced and explored.

p.4

outstanding

The staff understand their responsibilities in supporting the children to access the internet. The staff complete regular checks and search histories, with consent from the children. The children are aware of their progress and of their next steps. This means that the children are working towards their desired goals, are invested in the process and, as a result, are making steady and effective progress in this area.

p.4

outstanding

The staff in the home have a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and demonstrate an inquisitive nature when emerging patterns or concerns arise with the children. This means that the children’s concerns are addressed promptly and with the relevant safeguarding professionals.

p.4

outstanding

Some of the children have experienced verbal bullying from other children in the home. The staff are quick to acknowledge and label this behaviour, bringing it to the forefront of children’s discussions. The staff have been creative and adaptive in their workshops and have supported the children sensitively to learn and to understand the impact of their hurtful words. This encourages the children to think about the wider impact of their behaviours outside of the home and provokes new thoughts and emotions, such as empathy.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The long-serving registered manager left this home in February 2022. There is currently a suitable supervisory manager in place until a new manager is recruited. Senior managers are aware of their regulatory responsibility for the new manager to apply to be registered with Ofsted. Inspection report for children's home: 1263129 5 The home has a committed and well-organised deputy manager. Her knowledge and understanding of the children in her care are outstanding. Written reports are detailed and meticulously recorded with her clear managerial oversight. This strength inspires a culture in which the staff are focused on language that cares.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The deputy manager and the staff understand the plans for children, and these comprehensively reflect and identify the children’s needs. They work collaboratively with relevant agencies such as occupational therapists and speech pathologists to help children to experience stability at the home and in their educational setting. This ensures the best possible care, experiences and futures for the children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers and the staff increase the children’s opportunities to become more independent if this is seen as appropriate and their vulnerabilities and risks can be safely managed. Managers competently assess the children’s self-management skills and independence to gradually increase time spent away from the home. This is in line with the child’s ability to manage extra responsibilities. Managers monitor this approach tightly, and decisions made involve the children’s allocated social workers, therapists, staff members and, importantly, the children. This is making an exceptional difference to the lives and experiences of the children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers have devised strong plans for the staff to follow when the children go missing from the home. For one child, this includes how the staff support the child’s parent when the child goes missing. This has successfully reduced police involvement and reoccurrences. The staff have pre-filled information ready at hand to share with the police should a child go missing. This means that the child’s information can be shared swiftly, reducing the length of time that children are away from the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made during this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: 1263129 6

p.5

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 for children's home: 1263129 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Rayns Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PF

p.7

Inspector

Kelly Monniot, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1263129 8 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.7

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8