Children's home run by Child First Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2605554 1 Registered provider: Child First Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run home which uses the ‘Lovin’ Care’ approach. It is registered to provide care for up to five children aged eight to 18 years who may have experienced a chaotic early family life. This includes children who have suffered abuse, emotional neglect and exploitation.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2605554 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/07/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2605554 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff in this home are all referred to as adults. They use an exceptionally caring approach to provide positive experiences to children. Children receive nurture from adults who aim to meet their needs. This helps children to settle and make progress from the outset.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a clean and well-maintained home. The home is decorated with photos of children and adults taking part in activities and going on trips. Children’s bedrooms are tidy and personalised with pictures, toys and other items of their choice. Children and adults share the responsibility of caring for several home animals. These include a tortoise, hamster and several chickens. A social worker said, ‘This is one of the best homes I have worked with.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to attend school and make good progress. Children awaiting a school placement are provided with home-based education. Other children attend mainstream schools and college placements where they engage in courses in line with their future aspirations. Adults work closely with schools to ensure that they understand children’s needs and support children to settle and perform well. This helps children to understand the importance of education and enhances their life opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults use creative methods to help children to share their views and contribute to the decisions made in the home. Impromptu catch-ups and sensitively planned sessions between children and adults enable children’s views to be obtained. The inspector observed one catch-up meeting where the child was supported to plan a friend’s visit. The child then said, ‘Adults here are the best, they always listen and help me make good decisions.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of recreational experiences. Adults encourage children to follow their individual interests, regardless of their age and abilities. One child continues to excel in table tennis. He has won several tournaments and travelled abroad with club members. Children enjoy attending music, swimming, football, basketball and remote-control car clubs. Children also enjoy trips to the beach, going to animal parks and meeting friends at the local cafes and parks. One child said, ‘I like all the activities that I do with my friends and adults.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults have high aspirations for children to develop their independence skills. Child- centred processes are used to encourage and guide children to carry out daily tasks regardless of their age. As a result, children feel empowered and confidently take the next steps towards adulthood. Inspection report for children's home: 2605554 4

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

Adults are dedicated to keeping children safe. They use child-centred ‘keeping me safe’ plans to identify risks and explore ways to keep children safe. These are exceptionally well documented, using kind and simple wording to support children’s understanding. Well-planned discussions are held with children regarding risks and the impact of these on them and other individuals.

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

Adults support children when they struggle with substance misuse. They work alongside emergency services and other external organisations to support children with their health needs and understanding of the impact of drugs and alcohol misuse. As a result, there has been a reduction in the use of illegal substances and children demonstrate a good understanding of being safe when with friends.

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

Some children have gone missing from home. When children go missing, adults work effectively with external agencies such as the police and children’s families to search and return children home safely. Exceptionally well-documented ‘keeping me safe when I go missing’ protocols are in place and adults adhere to these to assure children’s safety when they are missing.

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

Adults share secure relationships with children. These help to calm children when they struggle with their emotions and feelings. The number of restraints has reduced and adults use their ‘love and care approach’ to de-escalate behaviours and encourage children to self-soothe. Excellent discussions are held with children where they are encouraged to reflect on their behaviours.

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

Safer recruitment processes are adhered to. Thorough checks are completed during recruitment processes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is highly ambitious and has an exceptionally well-planned vision for the care given to children. He has made extensive changes to the approach that adults use to care for and nurture children. He places a strong emphasis on adults’ ability to provide a professionally-based affectionate approach to the children. The manager and the adults also maintain a warm and family feel to the home. An adult said, ‘He [the manager] is highly invested in the care of the children, and he loves and cares for them so much.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers use excellent processes to track children’s progress. They demonstrate children’s achievements through displaying their photos, medals and trophies in the home. Well-documented monthly progress reports are shared with parents, local authorities and other individuals involved in children’s lives. This assures everyone’s acknowledgement of children’s progress and helps children to take pride in themselves.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Adults receive regular and effective supervisions and appraisals. Well-planned catch-up meetings and handovers are held. These protected spaces help adults to Inspection report for children's home: 2605554 5 reflect on their practice and acknowledge children’s efforts and progress. Adults complete reflective diaries, where they log information that they wish to discuss during supervisions and catch-ups. They also use these as self-reflective tools to assess their own practice. This assures outstanding practice and makes adults feel listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Adults are provided with opportunities to learn new skills and develop within the organisation. Adults new to the home receive extensive induction training. Further training is provided to adults in line with children’s current needs. This includes training provided by external bodies, such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation groups and other organisations. This helps adults to provide highly effective care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers share a positive working relationship with other professionals. The manager confidently initiates meetings with other professionals when concerns regarding children’s care, education and safeguarding needs are identified. The manager ensures that decisions made are in children’s best interests. A social worker said, ‘I’m [name of child]’s new social worker, and adults here have made me feel so welcome and have helped me develop a relationship with him so quickly.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers promote equality, diversity and inclusion exceptionally well. Children are supported to join local religious congregations and their choices are respected. Others are supported with dietary and personal care needs in line with their heritage and cultural background. Children’s opinions are valued and this ensures that they feel included.

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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: 2605554 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Child First Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 62 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3RN

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Inspector

Alphie Khumalo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2605554 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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