Children's Home run by East Sussex County Council in East Sussex

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031410 1 SC031410 Registered provider: East Sussex County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by the local authority. It provides care for up to seven children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. Five children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2018.

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Inspection date: 1 November 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 1 November 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031410 2

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Outcome from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, leaders have worked diligently to improve their oversight and monitoring systems. This has allowed leaders to have a greater understanding of the progress that staff and children are making.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are cared for by staff who demonstrate a good knowledge of their individual needs. Children have access to a wide range of activities, and this has extended to a recent holiday.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have individualised targets to support them to make progress on the most key areas of their lives. This target setting, and subsequent support from staff, has had immediate impact with children being able to make progress with their communication and ability to make choices. This is something that had been a challenge for children. These successes have been acknowledged by parents.

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Findings from the inspection

A new medication room has been identified to store all medicines effectively. This includes new cupboards and revised labelling. The policy and procedures for administering medication have been revised and shared with all staff. When there are concerns about staff’s suitability to administer medication, they have a revised capability assessment to address this. All leaders have received additional medication training. This robust response has resulted in no further medication errors.

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Findings from the inspection

New members of staff talk confidently about their experiences of joining the home. As well as having a comprehensive induction plan and regular supervision, staff are clear that the managers are always available should there be any concerns.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s views are paramount to decisions regarding their care. There are regular children’s meetings and one-to-one sessions that allow children to have a say on what they want. This has had a positive impact with children being able to discuss activities and imminent trips. This also includes discussions about how children would like some of their more intimate care to be given. For children who have communication challenges, this attention to detail is vital and reflects how significant their views are.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents of behaviour that challenges are managed well with good oversight by managers. Children are always spoken to following these incidents and this is carried out by staff or in the form of weekly advocacy meetings. When the manager had a concern about how a temporary staff member managed an incident, they appropriately sought advice from external safeguarding professionals and challenged Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031410 3 the practice. This included the manager being clear of their expectations and reminding all staff to be familiar with relevant behaviour management guidance.

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Findings from the inspection

All requirements set at the previous inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031410 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 27/03/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/03/2022 Full Good 22/01/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031410 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: East Sussex County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: East Sussex County Council, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1UE

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Charlotte De Retuerto

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Inspector

Mark Newington, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031410 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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