Children's Home run by Compass Children‟s Homes Limited in Norfolk

Inspection report children’s home: 2660064 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited 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 company. It provides care for up to four children who have experienced trauma that has left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2022. She is currently on maternity leave and was not part of this inspection.

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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: 2660064 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home and two children have moved out, one of whom moved out recently. One of these children was supported to move closer to their home area, which was in line with their wishes. At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There was accidental damage to the home in August 2023, and all three children had to move out. Leaders and the staff team responded quickly to this event, and the children had an extended holiday over the summer. They were well supported to return to school despite this change of living circumstances. The children were able to move back to the home and were settled again at the time of this inspection. All relevant repairs had been made to make the home safe again.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children are attending full-time education. The children’s attendance at school is good. A professional from the school said that the children are making progress and met their targets last year. One child, in September 2023, was supported by staff to make a successful move to high school. Over the last year, this child has grown in confidence and has participated in extra-curricular activities, including singing, sports and drama clubs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have participated in a variety of activities that align with their personal interests. One child likes to have pamper sessions and takes care of their appearance with hair and nail treatments. Another child has participated in football tournaments. Staff support children’s individual interests. Both children have been on holiday and have been able to visits theme parks and the beach. Children are making positive new memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child who left the home spoke about how well they are doing because of the experiences and support that they had there. They said that they would not have otherwise experienced these positive things. The child said that staff ‘really did care about me’ and that ‘the manager is amazing’. Staff planned a leaving party for this child and helped the child to move closer to their family home. The child wrote a letter to staff saying that they ‘couldn’t have asked for a more caring, wonderful family’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children generally receive good care from the staff. However, feedback from two children’s social workers recognised that some management changes had negatively influenced the quality of care provided in recent months. However, these professionals said that they are reassured that this is now being addressed by the responsible individual. Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 4

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

Risks to children are reducing as a result of living at this home. One child, before living at the home, was frequently missing from care. This child has not been missing from care since they came to live at the home. Staff are helping to keep children safe. When children have left the home without permission, staff have responded quickly to keep them safe.

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

Staff have used physical intervention to keep children safe. Written records of this are detailed and show that these interventions were proportionate and necessary. Staff and children speak with the manager after these events and are encouraged to share their views.

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

Staff help children to develop different social strategies to engage with their peers. Staff have regular conversations with children about how they experience their relationships with each other at the home. Children have sometimes made complaints about peer behaviour. When three children were living at the home, there were increased negative exchanges between them, which made them feel unhappy. Staff have not always been able to manage all peer interactions in a safe way. However, children said that things have now improved.

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

Both children are vulnerable when using online social media platforms. Safety measures were in place to keep children safe when online, but these were not always effective. One child was still able to have unsafe communication online. When concerns were found by staff, these were quickly reported to the police and relevant professionals. However, measures used by staff had not been sufficient to identify these concerns sooner.

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

The leadership team has safe recruitment practices in place. When significant concerns were raised about staff, the leadership team thoroughly investigated and made appropriate referrals to the relevant professionals and agencies. The provider notified Ofsted promptly.

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

The inspector was aware during this inspection of concerns that were under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the provider in response to the incidents were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector’s judgements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager was on maternity leave at the time of this inspection. A transition plan was agreed for an interim manager to fulfil this role. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, this interim manager has not been at the home since 18 July 2023. This has been well considered by the organisation’s senior leaders, who were present at the inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 5 The responsible individual has been acting as the manager from September 2023 onwards, and there has been oversight from senior managers. The leadership team continues to make plans to address the management needs of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Two requirements and one recommendation from the last inspection have been met, and one recommendation is restated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff often receive regular and reflective supervision. Some staff identified that this has lapsed because of management changes recently, but said that this is now being rectified by the responsible individual. Staff said that they felt well supported by the home’s manager before she went on maternity leave and that the responsible individual is now providing good support daily at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are up to date with the home’s mandatory training. Staff have received additional refresher training to ensure that they are competent when managing medication. Staff say that they have good face-to-face training. Staff can access other professionals from within the organisation to think about therapeutic approaches, and this is discussed during team meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been several staff changes at the home. Seven staff have left since the last inspection. Staff said that they struggled with the increase in their shift patterns, and this has made staff morale low. Children said that they did not like frequent staff changes and new people visiting their home. However, children were seen to have good relationships with the core staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(d)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the leadership team should improve management oversight and have alternative strategies in place when a manager or interim manager is unable to fulfil their duties for a significant period of time. 27 November 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand and help children to understand what makes a healthy, nurturing relationship. In particular, ensure that staff support children who live together to understand conflict and build positive relationships. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.10) Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 7  The registered person should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. In particular, ensure that staff are vigilant to children’s online risks and undertake thorough online searches in line with children’s care plans to keep children safe on all mobile apps and devices. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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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: 2660064 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Rebecca Hannell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 9 regulates and inspects 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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