Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Inspection report for children’s home: SC390785 1 SC390785 Registered provider: My Choice Children’s Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to four children.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, four children were living at the home

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2018.

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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 outstanding

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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: 9 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: SC390785 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/02/2022 Full Good 01/05/2019 Full Good 18/12/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 01/05/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC390785 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are being looked after by staff who demonstrate a genuine commitment to helping them to recover from traumatic events in their lives. This enables children to make good progress, particularly in relation to their emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to build relationships with each other and with staff that are based on trust and respect. The result is an atmosphere that is lively but relaxed. One child told the inspector that he appreciates the support that he receives from staff. The child recognises that living at the home has helped him to make excellent progress from his starting point. He said, ‘Staff have been there to give me absolutely everything I need from day one.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children come to live at the home, managers proactively seek education placements that give children the greatest chance of success. One child has persevered with, and achieved well in, his college placement and his part-time job despite some challenges. The other three children currently spend a significant amount of time at home when they should be in school or college. The registered manager is sharply focused on securing alternative education arrangements that are based on the children’s individual talents and interests. In the meantime, staff make every effort to help the children to engage in education and maintain a healthy routine.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of making sure that children are prepared for living more independently in the future. The children have independence plans that clearly describe how to help them develop skills for life. Children’s achievements are celebrated, and this improves their self-esteem and confidence. The plans also describe the careful support that children need to continue to achieve the goals that are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Work has been carried out to improve the environment. Consequently, it has a brighter, more homely feel. Managers have recognised that some areas still need refurbishment and have improvement plans in place.

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

Children’s safety and well-being are priorities for staff. The registered manager has a deep awareness and understanding of each child’s priority needs and vulnerabilities. Effective use is made of key-work sessions to address children’s risk-taking behaviour. The sessions are carefully planned and sensitively delivered.

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

One child’s behaviour is currently having a negative impact on other children, particularly in relation to the frequency of missing-from-home episodes. The registered manager is keeping the situation under very close review and is committed to reaching a resolution that avoids an unplanned ending for any child. Inspection report for children’s home: SC390785 4 Staff make sure that children understand the risks associated with going missing from the home and help them to understand how they can keep themselves safe. The independent reviewing officer for one child said, ‘The staff have worked incredibly hard to engage him in activities and reduce missing episodes.’ The independent reviewing officer was also very positive about the robust response from staff to ensure that the child returns safely when he goes missing from home.

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

Managers and staff proactively advocate for children. This ensures that children are accessing the resources and support that they need to meet their physical and mental health needs and addresses the specific vulnerabilities that exist for them. In one example, a child has access to therapy that is helping him to understand the reasons why he needed residential care. He has been enrolled on a mentor programme for children who are at high risk of criminal exploitation.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted through helping children develop self-control, resilience and an ability to learn new coping strategies. The use of consequences and physical interventions is extremely rare. When they do occur, managers ensure that these are applied fairly and effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager’s oversight and scrutiny of the home are extremely thorough. As a result, he has an exceptionally well-rounded view of the experiences of the children and the impact that the care is having on their outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager speaks with pride when he describes the progress children are making and has high aspirations for what they can achieve. He works extremely closely with other professionals, which promotes children’s safety and well-being, and supports them to make positive changes in all aspects of their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has very high expectations for the quality of care that staff provide to children. He makes sure that working therapeutically with children is fully embedded into practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager’s commitment to listening to children means that their views are integral to all decisions about the day-to-day running of the home. As a result, children feel empowered to have a say in the way they are looked after and are confident that their voices will be heard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an inclusive culture at the home that promotes equality and diversity and supports children to confidently explore all aspects of their developing sense of identity. On occasions when children use racist language, this is immediately and robustly challenged.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff morale and retention rates are high. Staff speak exceptionally positively about the support that they receive from the registered manager. They report feeling valued, respected and inspired to provide high-quality care to children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC390785 5

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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: SC390785 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: My Choice Children’s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 3a, Mill Green Business Estate, Mill Green Road, Haywards Heath RH16 1XQ

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Inspector

Helen Simmons, Acting Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home: SC390785 7 inspects 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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