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

Inspection report for children's home: 2570071 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

This home is registered to provide care for up to six children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. It is owned and run by a private organisation. At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since March 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2570071 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/03/2023 Full Outstanding 20/10/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2570071 3

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outstanding

Children in the home have made excellent progress in all areas of their lives. There have been significant improvements in behaviours that were previously having an adverse impact on their lives. Children are helped to develop coping skills to better manage their feelings. They are supported by staff who nurture and love them, and this has enabled exceptional relationships between children and staff. Staff are guided by clear and well-written plans that help them to deliver high-quality care.

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outstanding

Before children come to live in the home, extensive work is done to gather information, understand the needs of the child and ensure that any risks are clearly understood. Where specific needs are identified, managers seek advice or training from relevant specialist services. When children leave the home, this is managed equally well and shows excellent communication with relevant agencies. The children are included in the decision-making process. For example, when one child wanted to live closer to family and friends, the home supported them in finding a new placement in a managed way. All children who have left the home since the last inspection have moved on in a positive and planned way.

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outstanding

Children are supported to spend time with their families when this is appropriate. This is managed in a sensitive and safe way. Extensive work is also done with children to help them understand their life journeys. Parents say they have good relationships with staff and that they feel well informed. Social workers and education staff also provided similar feedback, with one social worker stating that communication is exceptional.

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outstanding

Children in the home feel listened to. They know that they can speak to all staff and that they have other means of sharing their views, such as meeting with advocates, the independent visitor or their social workers. Staff have sought to actively involve children in making decisions about their futures, which has included children helping to identify their next placements and ensuring the home meets their needs and interests.

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are sensitively managed in a way that enables them to engage with health professionals. One child who previously struggled to engage with health services has now had their eyes tested and had dental check-ups. This has contributed to good overall health and an increase in self-confidence.

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outstanding

Children are supported to engage with education. Children who have previously been out of education for significant periods are now attending regularly and are positive about their educational prospects. All the children are working towards taking exams that will help them pursue their chosen careers. Inspection report for children's home: 2570071 4 Children enjoy a range of different hobbies and activities. One child has joined a local golf club and is competing in tournaments. Children have fun together and enjoy a good range of outings and activities that enable them to explore different interests.

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outstanding

Staff work with children to prepare them for their futures. They think carefully about children’s ambitions and aspirations and support them to achieve success. The children learn how to carry out basic home DIY skills that will support them in being more independent in the future. They learn practical skills to help them understand how to budget and pay bills, and other essential life skills.

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outstanding

Children feel safe. They have excellent relationships with staff that allow them to feel comfortable in exploring any concerns or feelings. They know who to talk to and how to raise any complaints.

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outstanding

Staff are highly skilled in identifying areas where children may be vulnerable and providing effective support. They are guided by high-quality plans that enable them to feel confident in supporting children to be safe. Children are involved in writing these plans, which in turn increases their responsibility for their behaviours and to fully engage with the support identified to help them.

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outstanding

When concerns arise, staff respond with immediate and effective action and work closely with social workers and other agencies such as police to ensure that children are kept safe.

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outstanding

Children are taught how to be increasingly safe. This is achieved through extensive therapeutic work and nurture from a very motivated and vigilant staff team. For example, one child did a presentation at a home meeting about the importance of food safety, to ensure that children and staff were reminded of good hygiene. For another child, support to help them understand how they came to be in care has helped them to feel more in control of their present circumstances and future plans.

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outstanding

Staff are highly competent in managing incidents when children experience difficult or challenging feelings and behaviours. There is an emphasis on promoting positive behaviours that is linked to meaningful reward systems, which children appreciate.

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outstanding

The use of restrictive interventions has continued to reduce since the previous inspection. When these are used, they are proportionate and only used for as little time as necessary to ensure the safety of all. One child with a history of very challenging behaviours has not been involved in any incidents since the last inspection.

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outstanding

Records of incidents are very clear and reviewed regularly, with managers identifying and sharing any learning with staff and children, so that they can adapt practice and continue to strengthen relationships. Inspection report for children's home: 2570071 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is highly ambitious, has high expectations for children and has created a culture where staff share this ambition. Managers challenge themselves to continue to improve the outcomes and experiences for children, while maintaining a clear focus on outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is acutely aware of the progress that children make, and all staff acknowledge and celebrate children’s achievements. This is done through rewards and certificates and in discussions with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak highly of managers. They feel valued and receive regular supervisions and training that enable them to deliver high-quality care. Staff also speak warmly of the supportive environment in the home from their colleagues and highlight this as a major factor in their happiness in being part of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Relationships with external professionals are excellent. Staff have close relationships with social workers, education staff and families. This contributes to a highly focused and child-centred approach. When there are any concerns over the responses from external agencies, managers challenge this effectively to ensure positive outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children are listened to in a variety of ways. For example, children chair their own rewards meetings where they explore and reflect on their own behaviours and what rewards they have earned that day. Additionally, they have been central in deciding how the home looks, by choosing furniture and creating bedrooms that reflect their individual personalities and interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers ensure that the home promotes equality and inclusivity for all. Children say they enjoy having staff from different backgrounds and exploring different foods and cultures. When children choose to explore their identity, staff are incredibly supportive, which means that children feel comfortable doing so in a safe way.

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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: 2570071 6

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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

Jay Shekleton, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2570071 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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