Children's Home run by Charis Services for Children Ltd in Surrey

Inspection report for children's home: 2633107 1 Registered provider: Charis Services for Children Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation and provides care and accommodation for up to four children. The provider states in their statement of purpose that this is a therapeutic children’s home which provides care for children who may have emotional, behavioural and mental health needs and associated mild to moderate learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2021.

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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 good

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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: 2633107 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/06/2022 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2633107 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There were two children living in the home at the time of this inspection. However, both children were away from the home during the inspection. The children are cared for by staff who have a good understanding of their needs. Staff seek to understand the children’s experiences from their point of view and, by doing so, have formed trusting relationships with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s individual needs are recognised and captured in clearly detailed plans. These plans guide staff on how best to support the children. While there is great focus on the children’s emotional needs, their needs in other areas are also of importance. The children are supported to engage with education. They are also supported to safely enjoy time with their families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the complexity of the children’s needs and recognise the individual progress the children make in line with their capabilities. For example, there have been improvements in one child’s communication with staff, and another has improved engagement with education over several months. Staff regularly review the children’s progress and consider factors that may influence this. The staff use this knowledge to stimulate further personal progress for the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to have daily positive experiences. They are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities they enjoy, including baking with staff, going to the gym, going shopping or playing football. Consequently, the children feel fulfilled, which helps to contribute to positive emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children with developing their independence skills, through key- work sessions, informal conversations and encouraging their engagement in household tasks. There is a structured independence programme in place to help to equip children with skills needed for later life. The children are supported with their understanding of equality and diversity. Consequently, the children are supported to develop useful practical skills in preparation for independence and a positive mindset to inclusion.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively explore the children’s wishes and views and act on them. They support the children to express their views, and advocate on their behalf during meetings with external professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have created a home for the children that is well furnished, with a modern feel. However, some areas require redecoration and this detracts from the otherwise homely feel. The children feel at home and personalise their bedrooms to show their individuality. One child said that they would give the home a score of 9.7 out of 10. They said that it is the first place where they have lived where they have sat on the sofa. Inspection report for children's home: 2633107 4

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

The staff have a good understanding of the children’s complex needs and risks. These are clearly detailed in children’s individual risk assessments and safety plans. The plans provide staff with clear guidance on how to appropriately support the children. Consistency in the care and support provided by staff has contributed to the children experiencing a sense of security.

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

When incidents occur, these are managed well by staff, in line with the children’s plans. The staff take appropriate action to ensure the child’s immediate safety and well-being when there have been incidents of self-harm. They seek medical care for the children and keep the professional network up to date. This collaborative partnership approach promotes the children’s safety and well-being.

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

Children are encouraged to share their views about the care they receive and future plans. For example, one child’s safety plan included in detail the signs that they may self-harm and their preferred ways for staff to support them if they did. Staff explain to children the reasons for any changes to their support plans. This open approach by staff to working with the children contributes to the children feeling that they have a greater level of control over their lives and that they are respected and valued.

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

Staff have had training relevant to the children’s needs, supplemented by input from the home’s in-house psychologist. This has helped staff gain a better insight into one child’s behaviours and how to best support them to form positive attachments with others. The reflective sessions held by the home’s psychologist help the staff adapt their approach to meet the children’s changing needs.

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

On the rare occasion that allegations have been made against staff, appropriate action has been taken. The manager refers concerns to safeguarding partners and informs relevant professionals. However, on one occasion, the manager did not take appropriate action when concerns were raised about staff conduct.

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

Regular health and safety checks ensure that children are living in a safe home environment. Strong safer recruitment processes are in place. This minimises the risk of unsuitable applicants being employed to work in the home. One child said that this home is the first place that they have felt safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is child-focused. She has formed positive relationships with the children and ensures that they receive good-quality care. She has been greatly involved in the children’s day-to-day care, through which she models good practice to the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager recognises the children’s complex needs. She understands that effective partnership working with partner professionals is crucial to ensure risks are Inspection report for children's home: 2633107 5 well managed and children’s needs appropriately met. As a result, the children have access to mental health support services when they need it.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the challenges the children face but remains consistently positive and has aspirations for the children. She leads the staff to follow suit and this has made a positive difference for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is aware of the home’s strengths and areas for development. While seeking to establish a stable staff team, she has taken a more active role in the day- to-day running of the home. She continues to develop staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well supported by the manager. Regular supervision sessions and team meetings, supplemented by clinical supervision, ensure that the children remain a continual focus for staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager places a great emphasis on encouraging children’s participation and involvement in the home. Several measures have been introduced, including weekly house meetings, feedback forms for the children and children’s involvement in the staff recruitment process. The children’s understanding of, and respect for, diversity is also promoted. Inspection report for children's home: 2633107 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any [other] incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 31 August 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home provides a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of the children. The home should be a homely, domestic environment. To help to maintain the homely feel, redecorating and maintenance should be carried out in the home when needed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2633107 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Charis Services for Children Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Richard Place Dobson, 1-7 Station Road, Crawley RH10 1HT

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Inspectors

Sasha Reid, Social Care Inspector Jennie Christopher, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2633107 8 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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