Children's Home run by Compass Children‟s Homes Limited in Wiltshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2740402 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to six children who have experienced childhood trauma and display emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has worked for the organisation for several years. They registered as the manager for this home in August 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2740402 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2740402 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since this home registered in August 2023, three children have moved in. The registered manager has thoughtfully planned these moves , taking account of children’s wishes, feelings and needs. Before moving into the home, each child participated in activities with staff and the other children. They attended sleepovers and went shopping to buy items for their bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and children are starting to develop meaningful relationships based on trust and mutual respect. For one child, there has been a reduction of missing from home since they moved into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Ensuring children access education is a high priority for the home. Staff work creatively to ensure that education settings meet the individual needs of the children. For example, one child has a timetable that consists of alternative provision, home tutoring and spending one day at college. Separately, the registered manager advocated for another child to attend a mainstream school. They helped education professionals to develop a robust support plan.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in various activities inside and outside the home. For example, the children were excited to share details of the fun games they play with staff. They enjoy go karting in the local area. Staff use activities for informal learning purposes, for example taking the children to the museum and supporting them with baking and cooking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the children to maintain relationships with the people they care about, providing this can be achieved safely. They have established good relationships with family members and foster carers, keeping them updated and sometimes seeking their input. For one child, this meant that they were able to spend Christmas with their siblings and family members.

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

Managers and staff are committed to helping the children process the trauma they have experienced and supporting them to understand how this influences their behaviour. An assistant psychologist works in the home and has weekly sessions with the children, and they are starting to see good indicators of progress. A family member shared how much progress their child has made since moving in.

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

The registered manager and the staff have a good understanding of the risks around the children. After incidents, they tactfully approach conversations with the children, knowing that feelings of guilt and shame might cause them to become withdrawn. For one child, the reassurance offered by staff meant that they were able to return home after an incident that caused them to feel upset. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740402 4 Staff respond appropriately when children go missing from home, for example, searching for the child, telephoning their family and notifying relevant professionals. They also provide a robust response when the children come into contact with the police. For example, the registered manager intervened when the police arrested one child, preventing them from being taken into custody. This would have been a frightening experience for the young child.

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

There is a positive approach to supporting children with challenging and complex needs. As a result, there have been no incidents involving physical restraint. Meaningful conversations show that children are starting to speak openly and honestly about their feelings. In response, staff are helping them to develop self- awareness and coping strategies. For example, when agitated one child listens to music or paints miniature figurines.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has high aspirations for the children and is committed to ensuring that they have opportunities to enhance their life chances. Despite their leadership position, they always make time for children, and they have started to develop positive relationships with them. One child said that it was fun to live at the home because they see the registered manager every day.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is a strong and proactive advocate for the children and holds their welfare at the core of decision-making. For example, one child is now awaiting an assessment that is important to their health and wellbeing. Another child is enrolled in a mainstream school, even though the local authority initially proposed an alternative provision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is committed to multi-agency working to achieve the best outcomes for children. For example, following an education meeting, they introduced the alternative provision to the home tutor, allowing them to work towards the same goals for the child. They will also seek out services to provide bespoke support to children targeting specific risks, for example street safe work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is consistently seeking to improve the home and the service it delivers to vulnerable children. For example, they have developed monitoring and review systems based on factors that are most important to children’s lives and their overall development. Management oversight is visible in incident records and across audits.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff and professionals shared extremely positive feedback about the registered manager. They model positive behaviours via everyday practice, aiding staff learning and development. They have a person-centred approach to managing staff, which makes staff feel valued. This, combined with the organisation’s training package, means that staff are equipped to deliver good care to children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2740402 5

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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: 2740402 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Chalford House, 114 Warminster Road, Westbury BA13 3PR

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Inspector

Tara Webb, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2740402 7 regulates and inspects 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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