Children's home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd

Inspection report children’s home: 2612008 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. The home provides care for up to four children whose life experiences mean that they may have social, emotional and/or behavioural needs. The home and manager were registered in January 2021. This is the home’s second inspection.

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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: 8 September 2021

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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: 2612008 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2612008 3

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outstanding

Children receive exceptional levels of care from the moment they arrive at the home. They are made to feel welcome, and come to know the staff and manager very well. Children are clearly very relaxed and at ease, and this was evident throughout the inspection. One child described how they felt wanted from their very first meeting with the manager. The environment has the characteristics of a family home and this helps the children to settle and feel an immediate sense of belonging.

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outstanding

Children enjoy a calm and nurturing atmosphere. No celebration takes place without the children’s participation. Children and staff sit together at mealtimes and reflect on their day. Children like living in the home and are helped by staff to develop compassion and empathy for each other. This provides children with a sense of family, and they all enjoy sibling-like relationships.

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outstanding

Staff actively promote children’s education. All of the children attend education, and their progress and attainment are excellent. For some children, this has been a significant change. For example, one child who was previously struggling to attend school is now going to college every day. They told the inspector, ‘I hated school and never in a million years thought I would go to college and enjoy it.’

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outstanding

Staff demonstrate an excellent awareness and understanding of child-centred practice. They provide warm, nurturing and supportive care, forming excellent relationships with the children who, in turn, feel that staff care about them. Staff encourage children to do well. This can-do approach has had a positive impact on each child, giving them additional confidence in their own abilities and a desire to succeed.

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outstanding

Children are encouraged by staff to discuss topical issues and things they see on social media. Positive and challenging subjects are all open to discussion and debate. Children are encouraged by staff to understand the complex issues that may affect them. This includes crime, politics and current affairs. This has been extremely beneficial in helping children to become knowledgeable about the world.

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outstanding

Children’s records are of high quality and are child friendly. Records capture the voice of the child. They show how staff value children’s opinions and adapt how they respond. This empowers children to understand what is happening to them and why.

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outstanding

Children take part in a range of activities to enable them to pursue their individual interests. They also spend time together and enjoy group activities. An example of this includes a recent open-water swimming event that the children completed. Children are making notable progress in their self-confidence as a result of these experiences. Inspection report children’s home: 2612008 4 Children’s differing needs are understood by staff. The inspector found that staff go to great lengths to ensure that they understand children’s cultural needs. This includes liaising with interpreters, visiting local mosques and researching local community groups. As a result, children’s culture and identity are promoted.

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outstanding

The children’s time at the home is celebrated in a way that is meaningful to them. Memory books capture children’s experiences through photos and messages from staff. These books are engaging and well presented. Most of the children who have left are still in touch with staff. This clearly demonstrates that the connections that the children have with staff have a lasting impact on their lives.

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outstanding

Overall, the home is very well presented. Children’s artwork and photos are proudly displayed. However, the inspector noted some minor repair issues with the banister. The manager acknowledged that repairs had not taken place in a timely manner. A recommendation is made to ensure that repairs are carried out swiftly.

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outstanding

Children’s safety and well-being are at the centre of staff practice. Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of each child’s individual vulnerabilities and needs. This helps to better protect the children from harm.

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outstanding

Staff have developed strong relationships with children that are based on mutual respect. Staff use their relationships with children to influence their behaviours and help them to learn. Staff communicate with children individually about general and specific risks on a daily basis. As a result, children’s ability to keep themselves safe is significantly enhanced.

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outstanding

Children are courteous and have lovely manners. This has been achieved because there are clear expectations of behaviour that are known by all and applied consistently. Children are helped to develop socially acceptable behaviours, and staff provide appropriate support when children feel upset, frustrated or worried. This support helps children to feel safe and secure. Staff always respond with unconditional positive regard, and this gives a clear message to children that they are important.

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outstanding

Children told the inspector they trust all the staff. Children feel that they can tell any member of staff if they were worried. Children have confidence that their worries will be acted on. This helps to ensure that children feel valued and heard.

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outstanding

Incidents in the home are infrequent and reducing. Children are actively involved in developing different ways to deescalate situations and improve their experiences. For example, one child has been involved in staff training on physical intervention. The child was supported to share their views and experiences with staff. This approach gave the child the opportunity to influence and shape their plan. Consequently, staff have a better understanding of how to support the child should they become distressed. Inspection report children’s home: 2612008 5 Children’s individual risk assessments are in place and identify strategies to reduce risk. Risks to children are routinely reviewed and children’s risk assessments updated. Staff have an excellent understanding of the risks to individual children and are able to describe in detail how they keep children safe in line with their plans. The reduction in children’s risk-taking behaviour is a significant strength of the

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and deputy manager have a strong work ethic and work together well. They have a shared vision for the home that is in line with the statement of purpose. They have worked hard to ensure that the staff team is committed to children and uphold the ethos of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has developed collaborative relationships with the team around each child, which includes a therapist and a therapeutic practitioner. The manager is a tenacious advocate for children. She uses her knowledge of relevant legislation to ensure that professionals and local authorities uphold their responsibilities towards children. This means that children receive the support that they are entitled to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff provide a nurturing, structured approach in line with the children’s needs and the home’s therapeutic approach. This has helped the children to make significant progress across all areas of their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and deputy manager continue to research best practice and share this with the wider staff team. This is improving their knowledge and understanding of attachment and trauma. Research into community-style approaches for children who live together is informing practice. One example of this is the weekly get together meetings where staff and children talk about what is affecting them in the home and wider community. They all find resolutions together. This approach has improved dynamics within the home and children’s tolerance for others has increased.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager ensures that any children considered for moving in to the home are the best possible fit. Assessments are superior in quality because the manager takes a methodical approach to securing the best information available. When children struggle to settle, the manager ensures that she understands the reasons for this and takes action. Every effort is made to ensure that staff understand the children’s needs, wishes and feelings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Recruitment is robust and safely achieved. Systems are in place to review and evaluate recruitment of staff and their induction experiences. The manager recognises the importance of recruiting the right staff and does not compromise on the quality of staff. Where staff practice falls short, the manager acts quickly to address concerns. This helps to ensure that children are cared for by staff who have skills to meet their needs. Inspection report children’s home: 2612008 6 Staff receive supervision regularly and actively take part in team meetings and weekly meetings with the therapists who visit the home. Staff share their views and experiences because they are confident and listened to. Staff feel valued and are happy in their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has effective systems in place that support her to evaluate all aspects of the home. She uses these alongside consultation with others to identify potential shortfalls and good practice. The manager knows the home’s strengths and areas for development. Appropriate plans are in place to address them. This means that children are making sustained progress, even where challenges are present. Inspection report children’s home: 2612008 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that a homely and domestic environment is maintained. In particular, the damaged staircase banister should be repaired or replaced without further delay. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15 paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2612008 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jessica Middleton

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Inspector

Rachel Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2612008 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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