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

Inspection report for children's home: 2720885 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private provider. The home provides support and accommodation for up to three children with learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account good

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Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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Overall experiences and progress of

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

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Overall experiences and progress of

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2720885 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first inspection of this home. Three children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children form trusting relationships with staff. During the inspection, observations showed children being relaxed and confident with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress while living in the home. They progress socially, emotionally and educationally. This includes reductions in self-harm and the need for physical interventions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand that the children require structure and routine. Staff support children who have communication needs to communicate effectively. All the children have daily planners with their daily routines set out, including education, therapy and activities. This helps children know their routines, which in turn helps them to feel safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop self-care and living skills via an award scheme. Children earn certificates for completing self-care tasks such as ironing, hoovering, cleaning bedrooms and cooking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, there was damage to several areas of the home. Although the damage had been reported and repairs had begun, this damage compromised the homeliness of the home. In addition, two children’s bedrooms lacked personalisation.

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

Staff understand the children’s needs and their care plans. Staff take swift action to keep children safe when they self-harm. After incidents, children are spoken to, and their emotional and physical welfare is secured. This has kept children safe during times of high vulnerability.

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

Staff support children to discuss difficulties that they have in their peer relationships. Two children who argue frequently have been supported to be respectful and kind to each other and to find solutions when their relationship is difficult. Children also complete focused and restorative work with staff to prevent bullying and build positive relationships.

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

Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are identified and planned for. Plans and risk assessments are comprehensive and updated following significant incidents. They include clear actions that staff need to take to keep children safe. Inspection report for children's home: 2720885 3 Staff understand children’s experiences and that their behaviours may result from them. Staff use appropriate de-escalation strategies with children during times of high distress. This has led to a reduction in the use of physical interventions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is appropriately qualified and experienced. The manager knows the children well. They are ambitious for them and can identify the progress children make and the support they require.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has formed good relationships with external professionals. There is good multi-agency working with education and social workers. Professionals feel confident in the manager’s ability to lead a service that provides the children with good care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported. They report that the manager is responsive when they need advice and support. Staff receive appropriate training that meets the needs of the children they care for. This includes training in understanding learning difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of incidents. This oversight offers challenge to staff when practice does not meet the manager’s high standards. Team meetings are used to reinforce learning from incidents. This helps ensure that practice standards remain high and children are kept safe. Leaders and managers also monitor files and analyse statistics from the electronic recording system to ensure children receive consistently good care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is using high numbers of agency staff while it recruits to fill vacancies. On one occasion, sickness and a lack of permanent staff meant that the shift ran short for a portion of the day.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staffing levels are planned to meet the needs of children and allow for flexible response to events. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 54, paragraph 10.15)  The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of the children. In particular, they should support children to personalise their bedrooms and complete planned repairs and maintenance in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children's home: 2720885 4

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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: 2720885 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspectors

Tom McGhee, Social Care Inspector Clare Hannah, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2720885 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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