Children's Home run by Brighton and Hove City Council in Brighton and Hove

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 1 SC044880

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Registered provider: Brighton & Hove City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides short breaks and long-term care for children aged between eight and 18 years. According to the home’s statement of purpose, the children have severe or moderate levels of learning disabilities, as defined in their education, health and care plans.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has two managers, who share the registered manager role. They have been registered with Ofsted since 2013 and 2015 respectively.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, 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: SC044880 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

Children receive consistent care from a stable group of staff, which helps children to build and maintain positive relationships with them. Staffing levels are high and staff have a clear understanding of children’s individual strengths and vulnerabilities.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has made particularly good progress in relation to their emotional well- being. As a result of care from staff who are deeply committed to improving the child’s outcomes, the child has managed to attend health appointments and spend increasing amounts of time accessing the community.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers work closely with other agencies, including health and education professionals and commissioners. The managers and staff advocate strongly on behalf of children to ensure that they are accessing the resources and support that they need.

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Findings from the inspection

The environment is well maintained to ensure that it is as comfortable and homely as possible. Managers are sensitive to children’s needs and carefully plan maintenance and repairs accordingly.

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Findings from the inspection

Written plans are comprehensive and clearly describe how to care for children and keep them safe. Risk assessments are updated when children’s needs change and, as a result, staff have up-to-date knowledge of the best strategies to help children who are struggling.

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Findings from the inspection

Short breaks are being offered to increasing numbers of families. Staff work closely with children’s parents to ensure that children’s introductions to the service are sensitively planned at a pace that children can manage.

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Findings from the inspection

Some regulation 44 reports have not been received or received late. This can hinder the regulator’s ability to monitor what is occurring within the home for children, and actions taken by the managers to address any shortfalls.

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Findings from the inspection

When children sustain injuries, nurturing staff ensure that appropriate treatment is provided. However, good practice in this area is undermined by the incident records, which are not always as clear and thorough as they could be. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/06/2021 Full Good 04/02/2020 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4).

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brighton & Hove City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Brighton BN3 3BQ

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Children’s home details

Registered managers: Karen Rusbridge and Victoria Witham

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Inspector

Jane Balfe, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC044880 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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