Children's Home run by Child First Limited in West Sussex

Inspection report for children’s home: 2716876 1 Registered provider: Child First Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care for up to five children aged between eight and 18 who experience social and emotional difficulties. There were four children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Children refer to staff caring for them as ‘adults’ and so they are referred to as such throughout this report.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2023.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

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.

p.1

outstanding

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2716876 2

p.1

outstanding

Children are flourishing because adults provide them with empathetic, loving and sensitive care. Children talk extremely positively about their relationships with adults and speak highly of the care that they receive. One child said that they think the care is outstanding.

p.2

outstanding

Children have access to a wide range of activities that help to improve their social and emotional development. Children enjoy riding bicycles, caring for the home’s chickens, watching films in the cinema room, having friends to visit and occasional sleepovers. Children also participate in regular activities outside the home, such as Brownies, gymnastics and boxing. Special occasions are celebrated with flair.

p.2

outstanding

Children’s health and education outcomes improve because of the well-planned care that they receive. The independent reviewing officer for one child described a child as ‘thriving’ and said that adults are focused on the child’s individual needs. They said, ‘I have observed an increase in the child’s resilience and confidence.’

p.2

outstanding

A particular strength at the home is the adults’ commitment to supporting children to be as independent as possible. Adults make the most of all opportunities to help children to learn new skills and prepare for their future. Adults make sure that they notice achievements which may seem small, but which are real progress for children. This gives children the confidence to work hard to achieve goals which are important to them.

p.2

outstanding

Children’s voices are central to all decisions about their care and the way the home is run. This makes children feel confident that their views are important to adults. One child’s social worker said:

p.2

outstanding

‘I have witnessed the adults advocate for the young people they care for and show patience, respect and good humour. There is a strong sense of belonging and each child is made to feel valued and listened to’.

p.2

outstanding

Children are supported to maintain positive links with their families and friends. Adults build relationships with people who are important to children, and they support them to make the most of their time together. One parent described their child as ‘happy and safe’ at the home.

p.2

outstanding

Children’s safety and well-being are given high priority. Adults are attuned and responsive to the risks that are present for children individually and as a group. Inspection report for children’s home: 2716876 3 Adults support children to understand the possible outcomes of their actions. As a result, incidents where children are at risk of harm are extremely rare.

p.2

outstanding

Adults are well trained in the therapeutic model which is at the centre of the home’s ethos. This relationship-based approach helps children to learn how to reflect on the challenges they experience and find ways of managing their emotions. Consequences are not used. Instead, a restorative approach supports children to have a positive experience of learning how to make amends for their mistakes. There have been no incidents of physical restraint.

p.3

outstanding

Adults have a keen awareness of the role of, and risks associated with, internet use and social media. They advise children about being safe online and know how to respond when concerns arise. Plans associated with the use of technology are regularly reviewed, with input from other professionals to ensure that they remain proportionate and suited to the needs of children.

p.3

outstanding

Adults understand the importance of maintaining a balance between appropriate levels of oversight and allowing children the freedom to explore safely and responsibly. Children are given good opportunities to demonstrate that they are becoming increasingly safe.

p.3

outstanding

Risks are well managed, and trust is integral to children’s protection and sense of security. ‘Keep safe’ work is carefully planned and sensitively delivered by making it a part of regular conversations. It is individualised according to children’s specific risks and vulnerabilities. Examples include understanding the impact of alcohol and substance misuse, body safety and privacy.

p.3

outstanding

Adults are committed to creating and maintaining a relaxed atmosphere by actively encouraging children to live together harmoniously. Adults encourage children to spend time together but also recognise that children need opportunities to be on their own. Adults know the children extremely well. Therefore, when there is discord, they can proactively respond in a way which helps children to calm quickly.

p.3

outstanding

Incidents of self-harm are infrequent and are responded to with care when they do occur. Adults are empathetic in their approach and offer effective emotional and practical support. Thorough ‘Keeping Me Safe’ plans provide reliable information for adults about understanding and responding to children’s vulnerabilities and risks.

p.3

outstanding

External professionals speak highly of the communication and joint working with the home. Incidents of concern are shared with relevant safeguarding agencies in a timely way. This ensures that plans to keep children safe can be agreed and implemented without delay.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has been integral to the set-up and development of the home. He is a warm presence who exudes enthusiasm about the children’s progress and devotion to their welfare. There is unanimously positive feedback from children, Inspection report for children’s home: 2716876 4 adults and external professionals about their relationships with the registered manager and other leaders.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers recruit carefully and thoughtfully to ensure that they can maintain a culture of loving and nurturing care for children. The registered manager is committed to generating greater awareness of the benefits this approach has for children and is working to effect change in the wider social care network. One child has written a powerful testimonial about the care that they have received at this home and the organisation’s other homes. They have described the positive impact of the sense of security they have as a direct result of experiencing a loving environment and supportive relationships.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are receptive to feedback and find creative solutions that have a direct impact on children’s care. In one example, the organisation has formalised the arrangements for support provided once children have moved out of the home. This ensures that there is ongoing help available from caregivers with whom children have built strong relationships.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have created an inclusive culture which promotes equality and diversity. This enables children to explore their developing sense of identity and to feel comfortable about engaging in discussions with adults about subjects such as gender representation.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager proactively advocates for children to ensure that they are accessing the resources and support that they need. External professionals are kept informed about children’s progress and experience. They receive weekly summaries that include photogs. External professionals speak highly of the child-focused nature of these summaries and of the overall approach to children’s care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Adults benefit from a range of supportive opportunities to reflect on their own experiences and consider how they impact on their practice. Group supervision and reflective diaries are used to help adults process their thoughts and feelings. This helps adults to remain emotionally attuned with themselves and with children. Individual supervision complements these practices and provides a space to discuss children’s care and support needs, and development opportunities for adults. These sessions are frequent and responsive to adults’ needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2716876 5

p.4

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: 2716876 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Child First Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 62 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3RN

p.6

Inspector

Tash Williams, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2716876 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7