Children's home run by Compass Children‟s Homes Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2587047 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

This home provides care for up to seven children who have experienced childhood trauma and may be experiencing emotional and/or social difficulties. The home is owned by a private company.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2023.

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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 good

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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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2587047 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/01/2023 Full Outstanding 01/03/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: 2587047 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, there were four children living in the home. When children move into the home, the manager ensures that the most appropriate planning takes place. As a result of this, children are sensitively welcomed, and this helps to ease any anxieties they may have. One social worker said, ‘The move to the home was well managed. It was a difficult time due to the time of year, but they were able to complete some introductions before moving in. This was nice for [name of child], and it helped her to settle in.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health and are registered with local health services. When children refuse to attend health appointments, staff support children to work through any worries or anxieties they may have. However, when health assessments are completed, staff do not consistently follow up on actions or recommendations made. This means that children’s health needs are not always met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager advocates strongly for children to return to full-time education. As a result, suitable placements have been identified for two children. When children are not in full-time education, there are clear plans in place to provide structured educational activities. However, staff are not always consistent in their approach, and because of this, some children do not regularly take part in education plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are provided with a therapeutic care and support package. The manager and staff are guided and supported by an experienced psychologist, who also provides training to deliver this care. The children have individual support plans that are put in place and reviewed by the psychologist.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, there have been significant changes to the staff team. Despite this, children have been supported to build trusting and secure relationships with staff. Staff invest time in children. They listen to them and know them well. Staff are proud of children’s progress and achievements. As a result, children can develop a sense of permanence and belonging. Children are also able to name trusted adults that they can speak to if they have any worries.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between family and friends are promoted. Children are supported to see their families in line with their plans. Staff recognise that seeing family members can sometimes be difficult for children, so they ensure that children are supported to work through any feelings they may have.

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

The manager and staff know the children’s risks and understand them. The manager ensures that risk management plans are individualised and up to date. When children display risk-taking behaviours, records are detailed, and it is clear what action staff have taken to manage the behaviour and minimise risk. Inspection report for children's home: 2587047 4 There have been occasions when children have displayed self-injurious behaviour. Records of these incidents are detailed and evidence what steps staff have taken to support children when in crisis. The manager ensures that effective liaison takes place with relevant professionals, including the home’s linked psychologist. This ensures that the most appropriate safety plans and support are in place. As a result, children are being helped to stay safe, and their risks are being reduced.

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

Holding a child to keep them safe is done as a last resort. Staff use physical holds in line with the home’s policies and procedures. Records contain the relevant information, and staff carry out reflective debriefs with children. However, the manager does not review all records of restraint for their effectiveness. This means opportunities to learn and develop staff practice are missed.

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

There have been occasions when children have been missing from home. When these incidents occur, staff are proactive and do all they can to locate missing children. Staff ensure that regular direct work is carried out with children, and because of this, incidents are significantly low.

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

Staff use consequences and rewards systems to help them manage unwanted behaviours. However, the manager does not review the measures used for their effectiveness or to ensure they are used fairly.

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

Some children have mobile phones. Staff complete regular direct work with children to support them to understand risks and to know how to keep themselves safe. However, the manager does not have clear processes in place for staff to follow to assure themselves that children are using their phones safely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager leads by example. She is inspirational, confident and ambitious for children. She is a positive role model and has high expectations for the staff team members and their development. The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. As a result of this, the staff team members are developing in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has experienced some staffing issues following the last inspection; however, this has since improved. The home is now properly staffed and resourced to meet the needs of the children. As a result of this, children receive continuity of care and are building secure relationships with staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive supervision regularly, in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Supervision sessions are well planned, structured and reflective. A suitably experienced manager delivers supervision. Staff receive annual appraisals; these are equally reflective. They focus on staff development and their practice and involve feedback from children. Inspection report for children's home: 2587047 5 The manager ensures that all staff are provided with opportunities to complete training. Staff complete a combination of mandatory and additional training; this is in line with children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has developed positive working relationships with professionals, parents and family members. The manager understands the importance of effective partnership working and how this contributes towards children’s positive experiences. One parent said, ‘The manager has been amazing. Social services have taken the longest time to sort out education, but she has gone above and beyond to sort it out.’ Inspection report for children's home: 2587047 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that when incidents of restraint are reviewed, the use and effectiveness of the measure are fully considered, and they confirm that they have spoken to the child.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered person must ensure that when children receive negative consequences, the records of these are reviewed so that the effectiveness of the consequence is considered. 19 April 2024

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met; 19 April 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2587047 7 children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that when actions have been identified in children’s local authority health assessments, these are acted on.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children —

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed; and

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Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(c)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children’s internal care plans include up-to-date information and actions from children’s local authority care plans and education plans. 19 April 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that there are clear processes in place for staff to follow, so that they can be assured that day-to-day risks can be assessed and managed in relation to access to the internet, apps and social media. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that where children placed in a home are not participating in full-time education, all children are supported and encouraged to take part in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities Inspection report for children's home: 2587047 8 throughout the day. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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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: 2587047 9

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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: 3 Rayns Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PF

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Bowker

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Inspector

Kimmy Feeley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2587047 10 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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