Children's home run by Sunbridge Childcare Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 1 Registered provider: Sunbridge Childcare limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private company. It provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home. The inspector spoke with this child during the 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 outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 10 January 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

At the full inspection on 10 and 11 January 2023, the home was judged inadequate as significant breaches in regulations relating to the leadership and management standard were identified. At a case review on 12 January 2023, it was agreed that compliance notices under regulations 12 and 13 would be issued.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 6 March 2023, Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit to review the provider’s response to meeting the steps identified in these compliance notices. Ofsted Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 2 identified further significant shortfalls in safeguarding practice due to ineffective leadership and management arrangements. The provider failed to provide Ofsted with assurances that they could keep the children safe.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

As a result of the significant shortfalls, a decision was made to immediately suspend the registration of the home on 6 March 2023. Ofsted also issued three compliance notices under regulations 6, 12 and 13. In addition, several additional requirements were issued.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 11 April 2023, Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit to check the provider’s compliance with the suspension notice and the progress made in meeting the steps of the compliance notices. During this visit, Ofsted identified continued shortfalls in the leadership and management arrangements of the home. Ofsted made the decision to reissue three compliance notices under regulations 6, 12 and 13.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 22 May 2023, a further monitoring visit was carried out to monitor the provider’s compliance with the emergency suspension notice and its progress in meeting the compliance notices. The provider demonstrated that they had taken appropriate action and made improvements. Therefore, the compliance notices were met. The provider provided an action plan to continue the improvement work in this home. Following a case review on 25 May 2023, it was agreed that the suspension notice would expire on 28 May 2023. Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/01/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Following the suspension of the home, it reopened and welcomed its first child in June 2023. Leaders were meticulous in their planning and the staff immersed themselves to fully understand the child’s lived experiences and previous trauma. The child’s experience of moving in was positive and they have settled well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The house looks and feels like a family home, filled with love, care and nurture. It is pleasantly decorated and furnished. Everything in the home is centred to the child and personalised to their taste. The child’s presence is seen and heard throughout. This includes the child’s bedroom, which is personalised to their taste and has photos of family and friends on display. This provides stability and security for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff speak about the child with immense pride. The child is constantly reminded about how special they are and how much they are cared for. As a result, the child has grown to trust the staff and identify them as positive role models. The child said, ‘Everything is perfect here. I love it, it’s a canny class home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Positive relationships between the staff and the child were evident throughout the inspection. The child spoke about the staff being the ‘best thing’ about living in the home. The positive and nurturing relationships support the child’s continued progress and general well-being. One family member said,

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

‘The staff team really care about [name of child] and want [name of child] to succeed. They see [name of child] beyond their behaviour and we are one big family.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has made considerable progress with education from their individual starting point. The manager’s perseverance and excellent links with the headteacher of the virtual school have secured an appropriate learning environment for the child. This has enabled the child to successfully attend education full time. One professional said, ‘The manager is the child’s biggest education advocate.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff are motivated to create lifelong memories for the child. The child enthusiastically told the inspector about some of the enjoyable experiences that they have had with the staff. These experiences are enriching for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support the child to maintain positive relationships with those who are important to them. The staff recognise the significance of the child’s relationships in promoting the child’s identity and sense of belonging. One family member said, ‘The relationship [name of child] now has with their sibling is something I could never had imagined. It is out of this world.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 5 The child is praised and their achievements are celebrated. They are rewarded in a variety of ways, which gives them a strong sense of personal development and accomplishment. Time is spent by staff to collate photos and life books for the child. This provides them with a catalogue of memories and a journal of their progress.

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

The manager and staff have a good understanding of the needs of the child living in the home. The use of clear risk management plans and effective safe working practices promote the safety and well-being of the child. This means that potential risks are identified quickly.

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

The child’s risk assessments are clear, thorough, regularly reviewed and updated. The staff have an excellent understanding of the child’s risks, which provides the child with a consistent approach by staff.

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

The staff are effective at de-escalating situations. This means that the staff do not use physical intervention. The child trusts the staff and mutual respect is evident between them. This positive approach allows the child to express their emotions in a safer way and reduces the risk of criminalisation for the child.

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

The child said to the manager, ‘I loved going to bed last night, I felt so cosy and warm.’ The stability of living in the home is helping the child to feel safe and secure. As a result, missing-from-home incidents are rare. When the child has gone missing, staff have followed the child’s plans and the child’s welfare has been protected.

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

The child identifies adults who they feel able to talk to and tell them about their worries. The child is supported by staff to express themselves safely, and there is a progressive attitude to inclusivity in the home. Approaches to children’s sexuality are sensitive and non-stigmatising. The child feels safe and protected from harm. One professional said, ‘This is the most stable and safe [name of child] has ever felt.’

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

The child benefits from meaningful conversations with staff. Examples of topics covered are healthy relationships, online safety, criminal exploitation and gang affiliation. The staff are creative in their approach to help educate the child, who responds well. As a result, the child is making safer choices, which has led to a significant reduction in risk-taking behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Since the last inspection, the provider has made organisational changes. This includes the appointment of a new responsible individual, registered manager, deputy manager and a new staff team. Recruitment processes are robust and considerable efforts are made to recruit those who have the relevant experience, knowledge and skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and her staff team, along with the support from the responsible individual, have made significant changes throughout the home. The collective hard Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 6 work and commitment has resulted in extensive progress and improvement being made since the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager models tolerance and unconditional positive regard for the child and is aspirational for them. The manager’s enthusiasm is replicated in the whole staff team, which holds her leadership in extremely high regard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a strong sense of togetherness and inclusivity in the home. Team meetings involve the child and create opportunities to collectively reflect and learn. The manager has created an open and engaging environment, with the staff team invested in the home’s ethos.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager knows the child exceptionally well and understands their progress since moving into the home. The child enjoys spending time with the manager and has developed a strong relationship. The manager has been creative in ensuring that the child is actively involved in the home’s development. This helps the child to contribute to the care that they receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has developed positive working relationships with professionals, external partners and those individuals significant to the child. The manager understands the importance of effective partnership working and how this contributes towards children’s positive experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has instilled the staff team with confidence. Collectively, they are strong advocates for the child in their care and they appropriately challenge external agencies to ensure that the child’s needs are well met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Rigorous monitoring systems help to maintain excellent practice. The manager has a solid understanding of the home and knows the strengths and areas for development. The manager values the scrutiny of the independent person’s monthly reports. Furthermore, the responsible individual carries out internal auditing, which further ensures that the home operates in line with the statement of purpose. Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 7

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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: 2686524 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sunbridge Childcare limited

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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 9 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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