Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2666161 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

The home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to six children with social and emotional needs.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2666161 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2666161 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say that they are happy living in this home. One child commented that ‘staff are the best thing about the home’. The home is warm and welcoming, with a family feel. Children living in the home have a sense of belonging.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff who genuinely care about them. Children regularly speak to staff about personal matters, such as managing difficult emotions. Children trust staff to help and support them.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff capture children’s memories through photos and present them in personalised books. These books provide children with a record of their experiences and achievements while living at the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in community activities. By supporting local charities, such as providing food to nearby homeless shelters, children develop a feeling of inclusivity and a sense of accomplishment.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in education. This is particularly positive for some children who have had previous negative experiences of school. Packages of education are individualised and based on children’s specific educational needs. One older child is enrolled on a further educational course, tailored to provide them with the skills to pursue their aspirations and career ambitions.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A dedicated modular support programme, which is overseen by a residential programme psychologist, helps children to take incremental steps to independence. This promotes children’s self-worth and confidence.

p.3

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

The manager and programme psychologist have a comprehensive understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities of children before they move to the home. This information informs individual risk assessments which, in turn, helps to manage and reduce potential risks.

p.3

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

Children know how to make a complaint if they are unhappy with any aspect of their care. They are provided with information to support them to do so. The manager takes all complaints seriously and investigates them robustly. Child-friendly responses to complaints help ensure that children know they have been listened to.

p.3

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

The managers take a robust approach to managing allegations. They are reported promptly and appropriately to the relevant authorities. They have been investigated in line with procedures, with satisfactory conclusions. Inspection report for children’s home: 2666161 4 Staff’s use of restraint is not consistently effective. During one incident of restraint, a child’s mouth was covered with a mask to prevent them from spitting and to enforce compliance. On this occasion, staff failed to follow physical intervention guidance, and this left the child vulnerable to being harmed. Positively, the manager completed a robust review of the incident. New risk assessments have since been implemented and need embedding to enhance safeguarding procedures within the home.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff have strong partnerships with external professional agencies and families. Information-sharing is effective. A professional said: ‘Communication is excellent; staff are open and honest. The home has a holistic view, showing dignity and respect to the child.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Systems to monitor children’s progress are robust. A monitoring app allows managers to have a comprehensive oversight of what is happening in the home and oversight of the quality of care being provided to children. One professional described an open and transparent approach by the manager. They said: ‘The manager informs me of concerns and does not hide anything. He is open about things that have happened in the home. This gives me confidence in what they are doing.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a comprehensive induction and have access to a wide range of mandatory and bespoke training to help develop their skills and understanding of each child’s specific needs. This is a strength. A member of staff said: ‘The home manager is, without doubt, the best manager I have ever worked for. He is dedicated to children and adults in the home. He supports and trains everyone so that the children have the best care. It is amazing; training is adapted to the requirements of the young people.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Effective communication systems within the home help to enhance children’s experiences. Detailed shift handovers, daily communication meetings, regular staff meetings and regular meetings with children, education providers and therapists help to ensure that all staff and professionals remain up to date about children’s current experiences and progress. This helps maintain the consistency and quality of care that children receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2666161 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20(2))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that techniques used to restrain a child are proportionate. 26 January 2023

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: 2666161 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspector

Linda Mason, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2666161 7 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.6

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7