Children's Home run by Child First Limited in West Sussex

Inspection report for children’s home: SC044259 1 SC044259 Registered provider: Child First Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private provider. According to the statement of purpose, the home uses a care model that provides love and care to up to five children who may have experienced early childhood trauma. Four children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2019. In this report, the staff are referred to as ‘adults’, as this is the term which is used in 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 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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC044259 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/03/2024 Full Good 09/01/2023 Full Good 02/02/2022 Full Outstanding 18/06/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC044259 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive a high standard of care from adults who are interested in promoting children’s feelings of self-worth and self-confidence. Adults are dedicated to being positive role models for children and supporting them to form respectful and trusting relationships with children and adults in the household. Adults lead children in conversations around conflict resolution and help them to resolve disagreements in ways that do not result in feelings of abandonment or loss. This nurturing environment provides the basis for children’s positive experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress in their education. One child has persevered at attending their home tutoring sessions. Adults provide positive feedback to build this child’s confidence and provide incentives to help with motivation. They also provide practical support to the child during their lessons in order to help them remain focused and engaged. Another child exceeded projected outcomes in their exams and is now attending college.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults support children to develop their social and emotional competence. A newcomer to the home has started to establish positive relationships with their peers and has been responsive to guidance from adults around respecting the personal space of others. Another child is being supported to explore their experiences and vulnerabilities within relationships. Adults seek to normalise these subjects so that children feel comfortable to express themselves transparently with those they trust.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in activities and clubs that build physical fitness, foster prosocial values and help children widen their social networks. Children are given the opportunity to have new experiences, and adults provide the help children need to feel comfortable in the spaces they visit. Adults pay attention to neurodivergence and, for example, have sought out quiet times for children to attend trampoline parks. Adults encourage children to spend time with each other, either through parallel play or outings together.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children understand their daily routines and benefit from the consistency of familiar and knowledgeable adults. Children work on their independence skills on a regular basis and in a way that befits their needs and developmental stage. For one child, this has enabled them to improve their commitment to maintaining good personal hygiene. For another, this is helping them to build confidence in tasks like visiting the bank, shopping, cooking and cleaning their bedroom with reducing levels of adult support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children remain in contact with adults and children after they have moved out of the home. For one child, the continuity of these relationships was pivotal, as it helped them to accept their new carers. One external professional commented on the authenticity of the provider’s motivation to keep in contact after a child moves out, stating, ‘It’s all about inclusion and a child experiencing support.’ Children moving into the home are also introduced in a thoughtful and considerate way. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044259 4

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

There is a positive and open safeguarding culture at this home. Adults willingly discuss their concerns and feel safe to challenge one another’s practice. They are supported to take on feedback and reflect on their own challenges so that children receive safe and thoughtful care. This is underpinned by reflective practice and enhanced by the use of reflective diaries.

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

The quality of children’s risk assessments is good and there is clear guidance for adults to respond to risks ranging from substance use, deliberate self-harm and e-safety. Adults possess the knowledge, skill and training to respond effectively. While ‘catch-ups’ with key adults are regular and thought provoking in the main, there are times when they are reactive rather than proactive, which is a missed opportunity to help children understand any vulnerabilities they may have. Furthermore, actions following these conversations are not always clearly indicated.

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

During this period, there have been no occasions when children have been held, nor have any formal complaints been received. In the event of either occurrence, adults have a sound understanding of the procedures they must follow. When there have been difficult times, adults approach children with empathy and understanding. Debriefs are completed by an adult who was not involved in the situation which arose and are effective at capturing children’s views, while gleaning opportunities for learning.

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

The registered manager ensures that risks in the local area are assessed and reviewed. During the course of this inspection, the registered manager made amendments to the home’s risk assessment to reflect newly presenting risks in two particular areas of the community. These risks had already been identified and actions taken to safeguard the children they impacted.

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

Thorough consideration is given to the compatibility of children living within the home before newcomers move in. Risk assessments consider the influencing factors and dynamics that could affect the harmony of the household. Children already living at the home are prepared for newcomers and consulted so as to reduce the likelihood of any instability. The needs of children who require additional time to process and adjust to change are considered routinely. The previous requirement has been met and the registered manager is actively challenging placing authorities when the information provided within new referrals is insufficient.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has worked hard over this period to nurture a stable and harmonious team of adults. Newer adults receive comprehensive support during their probation period, which helps to create a sense of stability and consistency for the children living at this home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044259 5 The registered manager knows the children well and demonstrates a deep commitment to the well-being and achievement of positive outcomes for children. She skilfully challenges professional colleagues to expedite decision-making and escalates matters appropriately when required. This approach has been beneficial to children during this period in terms of access to education and quality of family time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands the unique strengths of the home and the adults. She is accepting of feedback and able to apply her judgement to make decisions based on the needs of the household and to address any shortfalls. Managers and leaders from across the organisation also correspond regularly to share ideas, reflect on practice, and ensure there is parity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders understand their responsibility in relation to safeguarding and notifying the regulator about serious incidents. This information is disseminated to adults and their knowledge is tested and refreshed on a regular basis to ensure they are knowledgeable about issues such as whistleblowing, exploitation, regulatory requirements and missing procedures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and leaders communicate well and have established firm relationships with external organisations. They work in tandem with other providers to ensure children have the best support to meet their needs and also to promote the safety and well-being of children. There have been occasions when this information-sharing has benefited children living at the home and also within the wider community.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager ensures that adults receive timely and specific supervision. Adults say that they feel supported and that leaders show a commitment to their continued professional development, which enhances morale and satisfaction in their roles. Adults respect the registered manager and describe an open and reflective culture within the home. Children benefit from a cohesive team of adults supporting them due to the transparency in their working relationships. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044259 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are proactive at assisting children to understand risks and manage their risk-taking behaviour to keep themselves and others safe. The actions taken should be clearly communicated and recorded. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7)

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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: SC044259 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Child First Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 62 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3RN

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Inspector

Tash Williams, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC044259 8 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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