Children's Home run by Treehouse Educare Limited in West Sussex

Inspection report for children’s home: 1241023 1 Registered provider: Treehouse Educare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by an organisation which also operates a registered school on the same site. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities. The organisation specialises in care and education for children with autism spectrum disorder. Children can live at the home full time, or they may stay during term time only or for short breaks.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 15 February 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1241023 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/02/2022 Full Good 04/09/2019 Full Good 21/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/09/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1241023 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children well when they move on from the home. There is clear evidence of child-centred practice, such as the sharing of their likes and dislikes with new carers. The preparations for children to visit their new homes before moving helps them to familiarise themselves with the new surroundings and start to build relationships with key people. One child recently returned to the home to tell staff about their positive GCSE results. This is testament to the positive relationships staff build with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress relevant to their experiences, needs and the amount of time spent living in the home. Staff listen to the children’s interests and then provide a range of positive experiences for them. These include trips to the cinema, theme parks, pantomimes and water parks. Staff carefully risk assess these venues and activities to ensure that children have a safe yet enjoyable time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to attend education regularly. They work together to address the things that children are struggling with and come up with practical solutions to help, such as reward charts and incentives. Staff talk to children about how their actions and choices impact on others and provide them with helpful tools and strategies to stay focused on their goals and aspirations. Although this is not always successful, overall, this is contributing towards positive outcomes for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are clear about the therapies that children receive during their time in school. These are discussed monthly and the effectiveness of children’s plans is regularly reviewed with children. However, there is some delay in the school passing on the latest targets written in the children’s education plans. This is a missed opportunity for the registered manager and staff to further support children to achieve their goals and targets.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s independence is increased when this is appropriate and their risks and vulnerabilities can be managed safely. Free time, with the opportunity to test the children’s independence and self-management skills, is gradually increased in line with their ability to cope with the extra responsibility. This process is monitored closely, and any decisions involve allocated social workers, staff and, importantly, the child. This ensures cohesive planning and collaboration to improve positive outcomes for children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children speak to staff when they are worried or fearful. Staff listen and take the time to understand their concerns. When needed, concerns are immediately addressed, involving other professionals as required. Staff support children to consider risk for themselves, and regularly help them to think about how they might Inspection report for children’s home: 1241023 4 respond in certain scenarios and emergencies. This helps to reduce children’s anxieties and provides them with strategies when things do not go to plan.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children said that they feel safe and listened to. They are aware of who they can approach if they have concerns or complaints and said that they appreciate the guidance and advice that they receive from staff.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff know what to do and who to inform if they have concerns about a child’s welfare, and this is put into practice if needed. There is clear and prompt communication with external agencies, such as social workers and police, when necessary. This approach means that children are supported by a network of professionals who understand their relevant risks and vulnerabilities.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Good attention to health and safety promotes children’s welfare and provides a safe environment for everyone. Staff and a designated child undertake regular checks of systems and equipment to ensure it is in good repair and regularly maintained. Staff have created a maintenance badge for the child to wear while they carry out their checks. This gives the child a sense of responsibility, while promoting their self- esteem and confidence.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are trained by registered nurses to deliver physiotherapy to one child. This training is refreshed annually and the link nurse is satisfied that staff are meeting the child’s health needs very well. However, the registered manager does not have the relevant certificates confirming staff are competent to deliver this therapy. This is a missed opportunity for managers to demonstrate clear oversight of delegated health tasks carried out by staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, senior leaders have appointed a new responsible individual. This is in preparation for the reregistration of a children’s home on the same site, owned by the same provider. The plan is for this responsible individual to attend the home weekly and carry out the registered manager’s supervisions. Senior leaders are aware of their responsibility to register this individual with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager manages medication errors effectively when they occur. She works with the home’s independent person to ensure that any learning outcomes are actioned and focused in a way that reduces reoccurrences. This helps improve independent scrutiny and demonstrates good partnership working. Staff receive training in the safe administration of medication and complete a set of competencies before they can carry out medication rounds. As a result, the number of medication errors in the home is low.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are very well supported through regular supervision. This ensures that the children are supported well by staff properly equipped for the role that they undertake. The routine and systematic application of staff supervision, coaching and development means that staff are supported to continually develop and hone their skills. This approach endorses and encourages a learning culture. Inspection report for children’s home: 1241023 5 The registered manager ensures that staff are safely recruited and have the skills to care for children. She ensures that all relevant checks are completed on staff before they start work at the home. Her diligent processes and professional curiosity reduce the risk of unsuitable adults being recruited.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has met all the requirements and recommendations made at the last full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1241023 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff have the current therapy plans as stated in the children’s education, health and care (EHC) plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.4)  The registered person should ensure that staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to respond to the health needs of children. In particular, the registered person must evidence certificated health task training completed by staff to support the needs of children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’ page 34, paragraph 7.12)

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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 for children’s home: 1241023 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Treehouse Educare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Boldings Brook, Dorking Road, Warnham, Horsham RH12 3RZ

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Inspector

Kelly Monniot, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1241023 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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