Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd in Herefordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1247764 1 Registered provider: Compass Childrens Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care for five children. The home specialises in providing a therapeutic environment for children who display problematic sexualised behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home. Three children were present and spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The current manager has been registered since July 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1247764 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/01/2024 Full Good 30/01/2023 Full Outstanding 06/05/2021 Full Outstanding 02/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1247764 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, three children have been welcomed into the home. Three children moved out of the home in a planned way, following a thorough assessment of their needs. One child successfully moved into semi-independent accommodation, and two children have moved into foster care placements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home facilitates contact between a child who has left and a child who remains at the home. Staff recognise the significance of the relationship that has formed between the two children and support both children in maintaining this relationship. Staff create memory books for all children who leave the home; these reflect special memories through photos and diary entries.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children understand the progress they are making through a ‘star of the week’ programme that highlights children’s individual goals and achievements. Staff support children to develop their own identities. For example, children join clubs specific to their interests, such as a LEGO club and cadets. Children regularly access a range of experiences out in their local community to support their confidence and build on their social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The therapeutic model of care is embedded into every aspect of practice at the home. Children engage in regular sessions with their psychologist. In children’s meetings, children are encouraged to share their views of how staff can make improvements. For example, the children have created an alternative language sheet that tells staff words and phrases they would prefer staff to use.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is promoted effectively. Staff have daily handover meetings with education staff to ensure that they are up to date with children’s progress. One child has recently sat a reading test, which evidenced their reading had improved by a whole year during the short time attending the school. Children successfully progress to mainstream college, which evidences the home’s commitment to supporting children’s educational achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with their families and friends. This enables children to maintain links to significant individuals in their lives. The home recognises the importance of children developing social networks; this is supported through their access to clubs and social activities in the local area.

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

Staff have a clear understanding of the risks posed to children. This includes the use of internet and online safety. Staff use monitoring strategies developed to protect children, and conversations take place with them to raise their understanding of these risks. Inspection report for children’s home: 1247764 4 Risk management plans are in place to provide guidance for staff on how to keep children safe. When children go missing from home, staff follow the guidance set out in the missing-from-home protocol and liaise with the local policing team when necessary. This process ensures that children with specific vulnerabilities are returned home safely and supported.

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

Children know how to raise concerns and have done so since the last inspection. The manager responds to concerns quickly and gives children feedback of the actions that are taken, which validates children’s voices. Children can identify trusted adults in the home that they feel they can talk to and share their wishes and feelings, as well as any worries they may have. The home provides children with a range of methods to communicate these feelings.

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

Restrictive practice is only used when necessary to protect children and only as a last resort. Physical interventions are used in a proportionate way. All incidents are recorded, reviewed and monitored by leaders. There is a clear process for debriefing the child following an intervention.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a manager who is very passionate about the home being a family environment for children. The manager advocates the least restrictive practice for children. She encourages them to have a voice and to share their wishes and feelings in respect of every aspect of the day-to-day running of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Five members of staff have left, and seven new members of staff have joined the team since the last inspection. The manager has recognised that while there was a period of instability in the staff team, it has provided an opportunity to recruit new members of staff who can bring a new skillset to the team. Team meetings are reflective on staff’s experiences and how they can develop their skills to support children further.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has an ambitious plan and vision to develop staff within the company, recognising the growth and skills of her team. The manager regularly identifies a staff member of the month in recognition of the progress and achievements made by her team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. Staff report that they feel well supported by the management team and feel they are encouraged to continually develop their skills through regular access to specialist training and team workshops.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager reflects on what progress the home has made and similarly on how the home can progress. The auditing system she has developed is detailed and supports her and the leadership team in identifying areas for progress so effective action can be taken. Inspection report for children’s home: 1247764 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 1247764 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Childrens Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Rayns Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PF

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Inspector

Charlotte Tippett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1247764 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 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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