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

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to six children with emotional and social difficulties. There were five children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since February 2022.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

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

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/03/2022 Full Outstanding 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

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have built positive relationships with children. They encourage children to spend time with them to create positive opportunities. Relationships between staff and children provide a safe and trusting environment. Children experience care from staff who are attentive and understand their needs. This allows children to feel valued, respected and safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are making progress in their education. For some children, this is their first experience of regularly attending school. Staff work closely with each child’s school. This effective joint working results in children reaching their goals and succeeding at school. For example, one child has improved their reading skills and another child did well in their exams.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s emotional well-being is central to all practice. Integrated working with therapists and school staff provides children with a consistent approach to their care. Children learn through staff modelling positive communication, interactions and understanding emotions. This provides a safe space for children to emotionally develop and grow, while recognising the impact they have on each other.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy spending time in the community and they are involved in a variety of clubs and activities. The staff are not risk averse and effective planning and risk management means children are kept as safe as possible. Consequently, children are developing their social skills, having fun and making memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Sensitive support has enabled children to engage in meaningful discussions which allow them to explore their identity at their own pace. Children and staff enjoy multicultural celebrations and events. Staff have created an environment which expands children’s interests and shows them that diversity is celebrated.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to access online platforms safely and develop these skills in a safe environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment for children is pleasant and they are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms. However, some areas of the home need updating. For example, when one child moved into a new bedroom, this was not decorated to their taste quickly enough. The upstairs communal areas are tired. The manager is aware of this and took remedial action on the day of the inspection.

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

The manager ensures that any allegations are dealt with sensitively and appropriately, including through joined-up working with other professionals. The manager and staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities, which is shown through their practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 1263129 4 Incidents of children going missing from care are well managed, with good partnership working. Children have opportunities to talk to staff when they return home. Staff provide opportunities for children to consider risks and learn how to be safe when they are away from the home.

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

The use of physical intervention is proportionate. All incidents are promptly and thoroughly reviewed to ensure that children are safeguarded. Children’s views are sought and explored, and plans are amended if needed. As a result, children and staff develop strategies for children to express themselves and reduce future incidents.

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

Some children have experienced bullying in the home. Staff respond swiftly to stop these incidents. Staff discuss these incidents with children, which enables children to reflect and consider the impact of their behaviours on each other. Staff support children to rebuild positive relationships to reduce the risk of further incidents.

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

Consequences are carefully considered, proportionate and restorative in nature. Children have opportunities to make reparation for their behaviour. This supports their learning and results in positive rewards. For example, one child’s permitted time on their games console was reduced due to their behaviour. He was able to discuss different ways of communicating and expressing himself with staff, which allowed him to earn back some of his time. This process is understood by children. One child said, ‘It is good, so you don’t feel you have lost everything and can earn stuff back.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are passionate about their work and children are at the centre of their thinking. Managers know all the children well and hold high aspirations for them. The new manager has been promoted from within the home and is in the process of being registered with Ofsted. This has provided consistency for the children and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective monitoring systems and oversight of the home. As a result, the manager has knowledge of the children’s day-to-day experiences and a well-rounded view of the progress that the children are making, in addition to staff safeguarding practices and the quality of care children are receiving.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a clear development plan for the home which identifies the strengths and areas for development. There is an action plan in place to progress this. This is shared with the staff. Staff say they feel supported and have opportunities to be part of the development of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training specific to the needs of the children and this is enhanced by the knowledge and input from the in-house therapist. Team meetings, group sessions and focus meetings support staff to be well informed of children’s care needs, which informs the quality of care they provide. Inspection report for children’s home: 1263129 5 There is reflection with staff following incidents with children. However, these reflections are not always followed up in individual supervision. This is a missed opportunity for staff to have space to consider the impact of negative incidents on them, their practice and their development. Inspection report for children’s home: 1263129 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff receive supervision of their practice which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 1263129 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Rebecca Fisher, 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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