Children's Home run by East Sussex County Council in East Sussex

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031698 1 SC031698

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Registered provider: East Sussex County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children’s home. The home can provide care for up to eight children with learning and physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since June 2017 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

There were six children living in the home at the time of the inspection. Since the last inspection, two children have moved on from the home.

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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 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031698 2

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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: SC031698 3

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Findings 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

There have been significant changes in the home since the last inspection. One of the children has moved on after a successful transition into an adult service. Good communication between all relevant professionals ensured that the child was well supported and that the move was a success.

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Findings from the inspection

Due to significant flood damage in a sister home, some children moved in. Prior to this happening, staff completed detailed social stories for all the children moving in, as well as the child living there. This ensured that everyone was as well prepared as possible.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have trusting and secure relationships with staff. Experienced and consistent staff demonstrate a good knowledge of children and their individual needs. The manager has ensured that all guidance for staff has been updated to acknowledge changes that have occurred.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers take robust action in response to allegations, ensuring that external safeguarding professionals are communicated with immediately.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager now ensures that Ofsted is kept up to date as required by regulation. This is a significant change since the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work diligently to ensure that children’s views are considered. There are regular children’s meetings and one-to-one sessions, where staff use picture symbols to help children to better understand and share their views. This allows children to have a say about what they want. There are also regular visits to the home by an advocate.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements and recommendations set at the previous inspection have all been met. No requirements or recommendations were set at this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031698 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/10/2022 Full Inadequate 16/09/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031698 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: East Sussex County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: East Sussex County Council, County Hall St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1UE

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Inspector

Mark Newington, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC031698 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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