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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes 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

The home is run by a private company. It provides care for up to four children who have experienced trauma that has left them vulnerable. There are three children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since August 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 26 September 2023

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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: 2660064 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/09/2023 Full Good 23/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There were three children living at the home at the time of this inspection. Since the last inspection one child has moved into the home. One child spoke to the inspector, one child was on holiday and another child was away with family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in education and have exceptionally good attendance. When children face challenges or setbacks in education the staff and manager proactively advocate for them. Staff encourage children to persevere with their education. This means that children can continue to learn with support that is tailored to their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support children to develop age-appropriate independence skills. Children enjoy activities and are positive about these. When asked what they like about the home, one child said, ‘My bedroom; it’s the best part of the house.’ Children’s bedrooms are personalised and decorated to their taste and liking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are very comfortable in the company of the staff and have built positive relationships with them. Children said that they can talk to staff if they are worried or upset. Positive, warm and nurturing interactions were observed between the children and the staff. These positive relationships have contributed to the progress that the children have made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support children to maintain links with those who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from professionals and families is extremely positive. One family member said they were happy with the care their child was receiving and the staff were helping their child to progress. A social worker said that their child is making good progress, with support from the staff.

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

Staff have completed the organisation’s safeguarding training. Staff are confident in their roles of reporting and escalating any child protection concerns and they understand the whistle-blowing policy.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the children and risks posed to them. They are sensitive in how they approach and support children to identify and understand these. External professionals said they are happy with how their children are safeguarded and had no concerns. When asked about their views on how children are safeguarded by staff, one social worker said that the staff are ‘very good at sharing concerns and they follow the right steps to safeguard their child’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 4 The children’s guide is child friendly and gives children a sense of the home. The guide contains information to help children understand who to speak to if they are worried or if they need support outside the home.

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

When incidents of physical intervention have occurred, they have been appropriate, proportionate, necessary and managed well. Allegations against staff are investigated without delay. Despite this, children’s families have not always been consulted with and informed of the outcomes of investigations.

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

The children are protected by the organisation’s safe recruitment practices. Staff are assessed as suitable before any appointment is confirmed. These procedures prevent unsuitable adults from working with children.

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

Overall, staff keep children safe and take action to ensure that children are protected. The children have formed meaningful and trusting relationships with the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager left in August 2024. The deputy manager has been appointed as the interim manager. The interim manager and the responsible individual were present during the inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The interim manager works closely with the responsible individual. They have good auditing systems in place, which means that concerns or issues that arise are identified quickly. They are prompt in evaluating shortfalls and putting systems and plans in place to address these and prevent reoccurrences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said that they feel supported by the management team. The staff benefit from regular one-to-one formal supervision sessions. Staff attend regular team meetings and training sessions with the home’s therapeutic practitioner. Leaders and managers have ensured that staff are provided with training opportunities to meet the children’s emerging needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Some staff hold a relevant qualification and others are working towards completing one. This ensures that staff have the knowledge and skills they need to care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff do not always get an annual appraisal of their performance. One staff member did not have an appraisal for almost three years, another staff member did not have an appraisal for 18 months. This means opportunities may be missed to support staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have regular meetings with professionals, including social workers, education staff and health professionals. All professionals complimented the communication from the home. This collaborative working means that the care provided to children is kept under review. Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 5

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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

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(c)) 27 September 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they take the initiative in engaging with relevant people proactively, advocating for the children in their care. In particular, ensure that all relevant agencies, including families, are informed of the outcome of investigations of incidents involving children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 12 paragraph 2.7)

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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: 2660064 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: 3 Rayns Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PF

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Inspector

Anver Rose, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2660064 7 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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