Children's Home run by The Amicus Community (Arundel) Ltd in West Sussex

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1246834 1 Registered provider: The Amicus Community (Arundel) Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is part of an independent children’s therapeutic community which is accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. It provides care for up to five children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since November 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 14 November 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1246834 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children have positive relationships with the staff, who nurture and care for them. There is a consistent staff team in place, and children said they can talk to staff if they are worried. Children’s achievements are proudly recognised and celebrated with staff.

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The care of children

Children have individual link workers who they meet with regularly. These meetings are individual to the child’s needs, where they can talk about their behaviour, health needs, goals and their future. There are additional opportunities for children to receive therapeutic support through one-to-one sessions with the registered manager, who is a qualified therapist.

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The care of children

Children’s experiences are enhanced by living at the home. Children receive well- planned care from staff who know their plans well. They enjoy a wide range of activities with staff; treasure hunts are a favourite.

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The care of children

Children can personalise their bedrooms and the decor reflects what they like. Children were proud to show the inspector certificates displayed on their bedroom walls. However, some other areas of the home require a tidy, refresh and repair. For example, some areas of the home were cluttered, some furniture needs replacing and some walls need painting.

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The safety of children

Children are safeguarded. Incidents involving children are well managed, with clear recording systems. For example, a chronology log details incidents and consequences, which children have opportunities to reflect on. This record also shows the reduction in physical interventions and the focus on achievements.

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The safety of children

Concerns are managed effectively and are taken seriously by senior leaders. However, the home’s records do not include a factual description of incidents and advice has not been sought from external professionals before the manager has concluded their review of the event.

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The safety of children

Staff receive training specific to the needs of the children in the home and understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Children are kept safe from harm.

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The safety of children

Leaders and managers have worked with the local authority designated officer and a child’s social worker to support a detailed plan in relation to allegations that have been made. This demonstrates good partnership working, ensuring that all Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1246834 3 safeguarding concerns are audited and examined to ensure that processes keep children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have responded effectively to the previous requirements. They have taken action to address a previous shortfall, by making sure that allegations raised by children are promptly reported to Ofsted and the local authority designated officer.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The recently appointed home manager has a good overview of records completed by staff and makes recommendations to improve practice with the team. This is also discussed in supervision with staff, which gives them the opportunity to develop their skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and understand the needs of the children. There are effective monitoring systems in place. Consequently, the management team has good oversight of children’s day-to-day experiences and the progress that children make.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/03/2022 Full Good 29/01/2020 Full Good 16/10/2018 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1246834 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s record of regulation 40 events includes a factual description of the serious event, the action taken and the outcome of any resulting investigation. This is in relation to emotive language in reporting, and decisions to conclude investigations into serious events before seeking advice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.14)  The registered person should provide a children’s home that is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations; however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic impression. This is in relation to the front of the home, redecoration and keeping the home free from clutter. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality

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Recommendations

standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1246834 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Amicus Community (Arundel) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Coach House, Arundel Road, Fontwell, Arundel BN18 0SX

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Inspector

Hannah Cox, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1246834 6 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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Inspector

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