Children's Home run by The Ryes College Limited in Suffolk

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC429748 1 SC429748

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Registered provider: The Ryes College Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children who have experienced trauma that has left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

There are currently two children living at 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

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, 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. The inspector has 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: SC429748 2

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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

One child moved in and has since moved out since the last inspection. This child moved to another home owned by the company, which was more suited to their needs. The children were away on holiday during the inspection and chose not to speak to the inspector.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making good progress. The staff and the manager have worked closely with one child in regard to sleeping in a bed. The child’s bedroom is personalised and more comfortable, and this is great progress. Another child is being supported to have overnight visits with their family. Children have education plans tailored to their needs, and staff support them to engage in education.

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Findings from the inspection

One child’s grandparents gave excellent feedback about the home. They said that they ‘loved’ the home and were very complimentary about the manager and the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have their own pets which they look after. This has helped one child to improve their communication skills. They initiate conversations, which they did not do before.

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Findings from the inspection

Children take part in a range of activities. These include experiences such as paddle- boarding and obstacle courses. Children enjoy regular hobbies. One child goes horse-riding each week, and another child goes to karate. Activities and hobbies help to build children’s sense of identity.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has made improvements to the general decor. The home was being decorated during the visit. New doors have been fitted, and the landing and hallway have been decorated. However, the hallway floor and the upstairs carpet need to be replaced.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been significant improvements in children’s care plans. Plans are individual to each child. These offer staff clear strategies to support children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has improved the missing-from-care protocol. They are working with the local police. Each child has a detailed plan that helps staff navigate through any missing-from-home episodes. Plans also ensure that staff have the most up-to-date information to help children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work with children to help them think about the challenges they experience. One child has been supported to develop a self-injurious behaviour safety plan. Staff have supported them to identify people to talk to and strategies for when they feel overwhelmed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC429748 3 There has been one physical intervention in this review period. The record for this is clear. Staff had a debrief, and the child was spoken to afterwards. The team has up- to-date training for physical intervention.

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Findings from the inspection

Allegations against the staff are taken seriously. Occasionally, staff practice has not met an adequate standard. This has been challenged. The information has been shared with the local authority designated officer, and there are detailed chronologies on file. The manager is following the necessary processes.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have access to a range of specialists within the wider organisation who can offer support and advice. These include therapists, a missing-from-home specialist, a self-injurious behaviour specialist and an exploitation specialist. This helps to positively guide and inform staff practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She has submitted her application to register with Ofsted. She has made significant improvements to the home and has further development plans. All of the staff have had their appraisals, and staff training is up to date.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and family members gave positive feedback about the manager. The therapist who works at the home said, ‘The manager has a very calming nature.’

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has implemented auditing systems that help to provide oversight of the day-to-day running of the home. She uses the external feedback to help her improve. She adds goals to a monthly review document that she shares with the responsible individual. These auditing tools help her to have effective oversight.

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Findings from the inspection

All of the previous requirements and recommendations have been met, and this has helped the home to improve. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC429748 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/07/2023 Full Good 12/07/2022 Full Good 02/12/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC429748 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that for children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. In particular, the hallway and landing need new flooring. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC429748 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Ryes College Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 4AH

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Inspector

Mary Costello, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC429748 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 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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