Children's Home run by Brighton and Hove City Council in Brighton and Hove

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 1 SC044880

p.1

Registered provider: Brighton & Hove City Council Assurance inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority-owned children’s home provides short breaks and longer-term care for children aged between eight and 18. According to its statement of purpose, the children have severe or moderate levels of learning disabilities, as defined in their education, health and care plans. The home has two managers, who share the registered manager role. They have been registered with Ofsted since 2013 and 2015, respectively. The registered managers are in the process of changing their conditions of registration with Ofsted to reflect the number of children they can provide short breaks for at any one time and the number of children who live in the home permanently. This is to accurately mirror the home’s statement of purpose.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

The care of children

The registered managers have worked hard to meet all the requirements and one recommendation raised at the full inspection in May 2022. This has triggered improvements across all aspects of care.

p.2

The care of children

Staff spoke passionately about the children. There is a genuine sense of love and acceptance. Staff proudly showed off photographs of the children’s achievements and significant milestones.

p.2

The care of children

Children benefit from a strong staff focus on developing their independence skills. Staff are creative and imaginative in helping the children to acquire new life skills so that they have the best chance of reaching their full potential. As a result of this care, children learn to do things for themselves, and their confidence and self- esteem grow.

p.2

The care of children

Staff support children’s cultural needs. Children’s faiths and those practised by their families are celebrated, understood and respected by everyone.

p.2

The care of children

Two members of staff recently took one child on holiday. The child spoke fondly of their wonderful holiday memories.

p.2

The care of children

The registered managers proactively work with the children’s allocated social workers, parents and relevant professionals. This partnership working has a positive impact on the children’s progress.

p.2

The safety of children

Since the last inspection, staff have received the necessary safeguarding and physical intervention training in line with the home’s statement of purpose.

p.2

The safety of children

When needed, the registered managers actively review children’s individual risks with their parents, staff and the child’s allocated social worker. On occasion, staff will use restrictive measures when they feel a child’s safety is at risk. Improvements are noted in the record-keeping of these incidents, and in the prompt reviews carried out by the registered managers.

p.2

The safety of children

Individual incidents are discussed in team meetings, and with parents and allocated social workers. This joined-up approach means that staff strategies and guidance are kept under review. This is helping to drive a healthier culture of professional challenge and curiosity. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 3 The registered managers have reviewed the use of bedroom door alarms for two of the children living in the home. This has helped the staff to think about the function and purpose of the alarms, and, as a result, both alarms have been deactivated.

p.2

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the last inspection, the responsible individual has received bespoke training relevant to their role. The responsible individual recognises the registered managers’ commitment and hard work in driving forward the necessary improvements in the home.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Both registered managers receive regular supervisions and annual appraisals with the responsible individual.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Both registered managers are clear on the actions derived from a health and safety investigation following a significant incident in March 2022. As a result, they commissioned an electrical contractor to review the electrical safety of the building. All necessary actions are met, including installation of new wiring. The building has had new fuse boards installed to help with power efficiency demands.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There is still an ongoing external managers’ investigation into this incident, which is yet to be concluded with senior leaders and the registered managers.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

An investigation regarding a member of staff’s conduct is still ongoing, with all appropriate professionals involved.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There were no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/06/2021 Full Good 04/02/2020 Full Good 24/07/2018 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brighton & Hove City Council

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Brighton BN3 3BQ

p.5

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Alison Mills-Clarke

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered managers: Karen Rusbridge and Victoria Witham

p.5

Inspector

Kelly Monniot, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 6 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 .

p.6

Inspector

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