Children's Home run by Compass Children‟s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Inspection report for children’s home: 1253716 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to four children. It is owned and run by a private organisation who state that they help children by assessing and healing complex trauma. At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since July 2020.

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 good

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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1253716 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2023 Full Outstanding 10/11/2021 Full Outstanding 29/05/2019 Full Outstanding 29/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1253716 3

p.2

outstanding

Children make exceptional progress in relation to their starting points. For example, one child is now able to talk and communicate clearly, which has had a significant positive impact on all areas of their life. Another child has been able to form routines that enable them to live a healthier life and significantly improve their self-care skills. Staff are guided by well-written, detailed plans and assessments that support them in providing high-quality, individualised care to children.

p.3

outstanding

When children come to live in the home, this is done following very careful planning and thorough assessment of a wealth of information. This allows managers to identify how children’s needs can be met. One social worker described the planning for a child’s move as ‘amazing’ and stated that the communication with managers had been key to such a successful move. When children leave, this is managed equally carefully, with children being given as much support as they need to make these moves successfully.

p.3

outstanding

Children have warm and positive relationships with staff. They identify people who they trust, and interactions between children and staff are nurturing and playful. Children feel well cared for. Staff ensure that children can speak to them whenever they would like to, using whichever methods they feel most comfortable with.

p.3

outstanding

Staff are excellent advocates for children and ensure that their feelings and wishes are well known to the wider professional network, such as social workers and independent reviewing officers. This ensures that children play an active part in their care planning. For example, one child was able to leave the home and live with their brother. Managers are continually working on new and innovative solutions to enable children to communicate with them and their wider support network more easily.

p.3

outstanding

Children have access to a wide range of activities, such as going shopping, bowling and attending community groups. This allows children to have a broader range of experiences within the community, expand their interests, and live healthier lifestyles.

p.3

outstanding

When appropriate, children are supported to spend time with their family and friends, even when they live far away. This is managed sensitively, and staff explore children’s feeling and worries about this in a caring and nurturing way.

p.3

outstanding

Professionals, such as social workers and therapists, report excellent relationships with staff. They highlight that communication is ‘incredibly thorough’ and this allows them to feel confident in the care and support that children receive. Family members state that they feel that the care provided to the children is excellent and that this has allowed them to make significant progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 1253716 4

p.3

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

Staff have a clear understanding of children’s vulnerabilities, and take effective, prompt action whenever concerns arise. This includes sharing information with the police and social workers if needed, and ensuring that plans and assessments are reviewed accordingly. Written plans support staff to feel confident in supporting children to be safe. Records of any concerns are well written and clear.

p.4

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

Staff are skilled in supporting children when they experience difficult emotions. There have been no incidents requiring the use of physical intervention, as other strategies are used effectively. Reports of these incidents are clear and show clear communication with social workers. The use of nurturing language helps children to reflect on and think about the impact of their behaviours, and develop better coping strategies. For some children, there has been a reduction in the frequency of these incidents occurring.

p.4

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

When children go missing, staff take appropriate action to ensure that they return safely. They communicate with appropriate agencies, such as the police, to ensure that there is appropriate support. Managers review these incidents to ensure that any learning is used to try to prevent recurrence and encourage children to make safer choices.

p.4

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

When children harm themselves, staff respond in a sensitive and caring way. They support children to explore their feelings and think about making positive decisions. Children have good access to specialist services, such as mental health practitioners.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have high expectations for children and the staff team. They have created a clear vision for the home that keeps children’s needs at the heart of care practice. They speak passionately about this in ways that staff can relate to. Managers take pride in the high-quality care that children receive.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have a clear understanding of the progress that children make in the home. They are ambitious for children’s futures and ensure that staff are confident in celebrating children’s, and their own, successes.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak highly of managers. They receive an in-depth induction and regular supervisions, which cover a range of important topics, such as safeguarding, reflective practice and personal development opportunities. Staff say that this helps them to feel valued in their roles and to be confident in delivering excellent-quality care to children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are clear about the strengths of the home and areas for potential development. This has resulted in development plans for the service and for all staff. This allows the team to enhance their practice and make the home an even better place for children to live. Inspection report for children’s home: 1253716 5 Children are encouraged to contribute to decisions made about their lives and the care that they receive. Staff support children to speak about any concerns that they have and deal effectively with any complaints, ensuring that these are resolved to the satisfaction of the child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff and managers have excellent relationships with the professional network, including social workers, therapists and independent reviewing officers. Other professionals report that communication is excellent. There is clear evidence of appropriate professional challenge to ensure that decisions are taken in children’s best interests. Inspection report for children’s home: 1253716 6

p.5

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: 1253716 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Rayns Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PF

p.7

Inspector

Jay Shekleton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1253716 8 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.7

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8