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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2683331 1 Registered provider: Compass Childrens Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private company. The home is registered to provide care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2022

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2683331 2

p.1

outstanding

At the time of the inspection, there were two children living at the home. Children develop their self-confidence and make excellent progress. They feel valued and play an integral role in making decisions about their future. Their views are sought at every opportunity. Weekly ‘get together’ meetings provide a forum for discussion and planning. Positive relationships with staff help children to become more confident and develop their social skills.

p.2

outstanding

The children’s overall experiences are excellent. They receive outstanding care from a dedicated and consistent staff team. Staff build trusting relationships with the children and have a comprehensive understanding of their needs. Both children said that the staff were ‘great’, they help them, look after them, and they like them.

p.2

outstanding

Children have better physical and emotional health because of living at the home. Children learn about safe relationships and healthy sleep routines. Staff continually encourage children to develop their independence skills, such as budgeting, laundry and cooking. Meals are freshly prepared and washing-up is a routine household task that the children and staff do together. Promoting a culture of respect and openness is a clear strength of this home. As a result, the children feel secure and happy.

p.2

outstanding

The skilled staff see children’s emotional well-being as a priority. Children receive therapeutic interventions that are exceptionally well coordinated. Regular consultations between the staff and the on-site psychotherapist ensure that children’s behaviours are seen in the context of their traumatic histories. Therapy is embedded in all aspects of the children’s care, and is part of the home’s culture.

p.2

outstanding

Children engage in a wide variety of hobbies and interests in the local community. They enjoy boxing and army and sea cadets. Children benefit from enjoyable activities with the staff, such as go-karting, bowling and trips to the beach.

p.2

outstanding

The staff ensure that children have protected time with people who are important to them. Staff communicate exceptionally well with children’s relatives and recognise the importance of these relationships. One relative said that the staff are amazing, the child is flourishing, and communication is excellent. Supporting family relationships in this way improves the children’s sense of identity and belonging.

p.2

outstanding

The children have good attendance in education and make significant academic progress from their individual starting points. One child who had not attended education for six months now attends full time and has been awarded pupil of the week on several occasions. Staff have excellent communication with education providers and value the importance of education. Inspection report for children’s home: 2683331 3 The home is welcoming, spacious and vibrant. Children have personalised their bedrooms and take pride in weekly cleaning tasks with staff. The recent addition of pet chickens is providing the children with additional caring responsibilities. The home reflects family values and meets the children’s needs.

p.2

outstanding

Children said that they feel safe and well cared for. Staff have developed a meticulous understanding of the children’s vulnerabilities. They discuss risks with children during one-to-one sessions. These support children to understand their risks and how to reduce them. Risk assessments are of high quality, and the staff regularly review and update these to ensure that they are current and responsive.

p.3

outstanding

Staff have excellent insights into children’s backgrounds. Some children’s histories include going missing, criminal exploitation and gang exploitation. These risks reduce because of the level of supervision and support provided by the staff, and partnership working with the police and the local authorities. The police have every confidence in the staff in keeping children safe. A police officer said that communication with the manager is ‘excellent’. He said that his presence is always welcomed at the home, and he joined the children and staff for their Christmas dinner. Working in partnership with the police keeps children safe.

p.3

outstanding

Good managerial oversight ensures that physical intervention is proportionate and necessary. Physical intervention is only used as a last resort. There has been one incident of physical intervention, and this was to manage behaviour that may have caused harm to a child. The manager ensured that de-briefs were completed and the placing authority was notified.

p.3

outstanding

The manager made a swift referral and consulted promptly with the local authority designated officer in response to a safeguarding allegation. The manager informs Ofsted of any safeguarding concerns and keeps Ofsted updated on the actions taken. This ensures that Ofsted can monitor the home and fully understand the children’s experiences.

p.3

outstanding

Relationships are a significant strength. Children have forged strong attachments with the manager and the staff team. Exceptionally clear boundaries and routines, combined with a consistent staff team, enables children to feel safe and gain ownership of their home. This good practice underpins children’s safety.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is extremely dedicated to her role and leads by example. She clearly wants the best outcomes and experiences for the children. Her enthusiasm is mirrored by the staff, and this is evident in their practice. The manager works effectively to provide excellent leadership and direction for the staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2683331 4 The manager has excellent monitoring and review systems in place. These systems ensure exceptional oversight of children’s progress. She is committed to making continued improvements and is forward-thinking regarding the development of the home.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a dynamic communicator. Professionals and relatives appreciate the high level of contact. Communication is purposeful and responsive to the children’s needs. Excellent communication provides the opportunity for constant review of children’s plans. This ongoing communication is highly effective when in response to safeguarding concerns.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager carefully plans children’s admissions. She carefully considers the child’s history and their current needs. Children’s moves are well planned, with comprehensive introductions. There is exceptional communication with the child’s placing authorities. Good matching ensures that children experience limited disruption.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular and effective supervision that supports their emotional well- being and helps them to develop their practice. Team meetings are well attended. These provide a supportive forum for staff development. High-quality support means that staff are equipped for their roles.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff access training in core areas, which include safeguarding, physical intervention, child sexual exploitation, and gang exploitation. Staff undertake more-targeted training that includes foetal alcohol syndrome, attachment, and adverse childhood experiences. The organisation’s psychologist delivers research-informed training to the staff. High-quality training means that staff have the tools and knowledge to provide children with excellent and individualised care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2683331 5

p.4

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: 2683331 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Childrens Homes Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspector

Paula Lewis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2683331 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 looked after children, 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