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

Inspection report for children's home: 2723839 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 run by a large private company. It offers medium- to long-term residential care for up to five children between the ages of five and 17 with a learning disability or a lifelong condition that affects their ability to learn.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023.

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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 outstanding

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2723839 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home registered with Ofsted in June 2023. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made very good progress at this home. They benefit from a nurturing and positive environment and a committed staff team. The love and support shown to the child enables them to develop an appropriate sense of permanence and belonging. The child appears to be settled and happy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child very well with their health needs. The use of a number of skilled health professionals, combined with therapeutic support from within the organisation, ensures the child’s world is well understood by staff and their all-round needs are met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to attend external specialist education suitable for their learning needs. Extra-curricular activities such as swimming lessons increase their well-being and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of building strong and secure relationships with children’s families. The staff carefully planned a summer holiday for the child with their family. A photo memory book serves as a lovely reminder of the special time everyone had together. One parent said, ‘I couldn’t ask for better. My child is well cared for, she has come on leaps and bounds and it’s amazing seeing her progress.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Communication methods for the child, who is non-verbal, are personalised and varied. A now and next board, mood sheet, worry monster, menu system and reward board enable the child to communicate their wishes and feelings and understand routines and changes in their day. The staff use caring and warm language, supported by these resources.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The house is detached and modern and set in an urban area, giving access to several facilities close by. A well-placed sensory room enables the child to benefit from lights, music and activities in the hub of the home. The garden is bright and child-friendly and provides a lovely outdoor space. The cosy outside cabin offers a room for therapy, meetings and watching TV. The child’s bedroom is highly personalised and decorated to reflect their personal tastes.

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

There have been no incidents of the child going missing from the home. The staff are confident and well trained to deal with any missing-from-home episodes.

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

Safeguarding concerns are appropriately reported, recorded and investigated. Clear correspondence with the local authority designated officer, social worker and Inspection report for children's home: 2723839 3 external professionals is evident in respect of safeguarding the child. Staff understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. They are competent and confident to raise concerns to keep the child safe.

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

A small number of physical interventions have taken place since the home opened. These are necessary and proportionate. Recording is detailed and includes a post- incident reflection with the child and staff. The staff are well trained in physical intervention and are confident to use it when necessary.

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

Highly detailed and clear risk assessments cover a number of specific risks. Behaviour support plans help staff to have a clear understanding of the child’s world. A snapshot of the child’s needs, likes and dislikes enables staff to understand quickly how to help and protect the child.

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

The child is looked after by a safe and well-trained staff team. Recruitment checks for new staff are comprehensive.

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

Fire drills are carried out regularly with the child. Staff manage these with thoughtful planning to ensure the child understands what they need to do in the event of a fire.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is highly experienced and suitably qualified. She works with a full-time deputy manager. The manager has a strong and consistent approach to running the home. Leaders and managers are confident and ambitious to move the home forward.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are highly committed to the child in their care. The whole staff team has been central to the excellent progress made by the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Although the staff team is new, the manager and deputy manager have set a culture of high expectation. All staff talk about working in a warm and positive home where training and high standards of care take priority.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

New staff have a corporate induction and mandatory training. This is followed by a comprehensive in-house induction that includes shadow shifts. This induction has been created by the manager and deputy manager to ensure that standards of care are consistent and remain high.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff training is of high quality and covers a variety of topics such as communication with children, diversity and inclusion, privacy and dignity, life-story work and managing allegations. A particular focus on safeguarding training for working with children with disabilities is provided by a highly experienced and qualified social worker.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has developed a monthly workshop for all staff. The workshops focus on a specific subject each month to help the staff to develop their practice in a supportive and informal environment. Inspection report for children's home: 2723839 4 The manager has undertaken research to fully understand the impact of diet on children with a diagnosis of autism and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. This has helped the staff embrace the child’s care in a holistic and highly personalised way. In addition, tracking and understanding menstrual cycles in girls who are non- verbal has enabled a greater understanding of their behaviours. Sharing this research has enabled staff in the wider organisation to develop their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Good working relationships with internal and external partners have ensured the best possible care for the child. A team of internal professionals offers high-quality input, focusing on the child’s therapy and communication needs. The staff have strong relationships with external professionals. When combined, these relationships enhance and support the quality of children’s care.

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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: 2723839 5

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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

Emily Stevens, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2723839 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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