Children's home run by Brighton and Hove City Council

Inspection report children's home: SC032315 1 SC032315 Registered provider: Brighton & Hove City Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

A local authority runs this home. It is registered to provide care for up to five children with learning and/or physical disabilities under short-break arrangements.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, two children were staying for short breaks.

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Information about this children's home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2007.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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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.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: SC032315 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/03/2023 Full Good 04/08/2021 Full Outstanding 14/01/2020 Full Outstanding 19/02/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report children's home: SC032315 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff provide children with a high standard of care that meets their unique needs. The staff go the extra mile to give children a fun stay away from home. The children love spending time in the home and look forward to their short break. Some children become extremely excited when they know that they will be visiting. Parents are highly complementary about the short-break service. One parent said, ‘The care is exceptional’ and shared that their child ‘loves going there’. Another said, ‘It is a privilege that they [the child] can come and stay.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are cared for by warm and loving staff, who know them well. Staff are patient and treat the children with respect. They take extra care to understand the variety of ways in which the children communicate. The staff regularly consult with parents and schools to expand their knowledge of the children and to ensure that children get the best possible support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are sensitive to the fact that this may be the child’s first stay away from home. They meticulously plan when new children come to stay and work hard to ensure that the children feel at home. This diligence helps reduce some of the anxiety felt by both children and their parents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s health needs are exceptionally well managed. Staff refer to detailed plans outlining how to care for the children. They communicate well with parents and school staff to ensure that children experience consistent care. This helps children to have safe transitions between home, school and the short-break service.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff help the children to make important personal progress. They support every child to achieve their individual targets. Parents highlight children’s increased confidence since spending time at the short-break service. For example, some parents talked about children being less anxious when using public transport and when having days out with their family. This progress has helped children access the community and enjoy more family days out.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s views are valued and encouraged. Staff are creative in the ways that they support children to participate in the running of the home. The children are encouraged to complete feedback questionnaires about their stays. Some children have been involved in developing the home’s children’s guide.

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

The children have a variety of complex needs, which increase their vulnerability. The staff are highly skilled, having completed extensive training to meet these needs effectively. The care that the staff provide is underpinned by detailed safety plans which provide clear guidance so that staff are able to prioritise children’s safety. At the same Inspection report children's home: SC032315 4 time staff ensure that children can be as independent as possible, taking into account their needs and vulnerabilities.

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

Due to the children’s complex learning, communication and behavioural support needs, staff sometimes use physical restraint to keep them and others safe. Staff use restraint infrequently and only as a last resort. Records of these incidents are detailed, and the manager maintains keen oversight of such incidents.

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

The staff are professionally curious and seek to understand what the children are communicating through their behaviours. This helps the staff to better understand the children’s needs, wishes and feelings and support them to make progress. For example, a child was able to learn how to express himself in more positive ways and his behaviours significantly improved. Consequently, he is able to cope better living with a family.

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

The home is comfortable and warm. Equipment needed to move children safely and attend to their personal needs is in place. Staff carefully plan which children visit the home at the same time so that children can safely enjoy their stay. This has allowed children to develop safe friendships.

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

Staff invest in the lives of the children, irrespective of the length of time that they spend in the home. Presently, there are two children living at the home in a shared-care arrangement. This helps to support children and their families to stay together. Parents absolutely trust the staff to keep their children safe.

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

Leaders and staff are particularly skilled in supporting children and families in times of crisis. Children benefit significantly from the care that they receive during these times. For some children, this has enabled them to move on to more settled permanent arrangements with families.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is enthusiastic and motivated. She is highly respected by staff and external professionals. One partner professional praised the manager and staff team for their ‘consistent commitment’ to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Most staff have worked in the home for many years. They feel supported and valued by the manager. They describe her as approachable and feel that she often goes ‘above and beyond’ to support them. The staff receive regular supervision, and their welfare and professional development are supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high standards. She monitors the care provided to children effectively. The children’s records are comprehensive and are a good resource for staff. She understands the strengths of the service and works creatively to address any shortfalls. Inspection report children's home: SC032315 5 The requirements from the previous inspection have been met and, as a result, improvements have been made to ensure that all staff receive supervision and there is now clear management oversight of safeguarding incidents. Inspection report children's home: SC032315 6

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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 children's home: SC032315 7

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Children's home details

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

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Inspector

Jane Balfe, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC032315 8 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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