Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for children’s home: 2723842 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Ltd

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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 registered to provide care for up to five children who have experienced trauma and family breakdowns. This is one of several children’s homes operated by this private company.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a school on site, which is run by the organisation. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager is in post but has not yet registered with Ofsted.

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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 outstanding

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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: 7 November 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: 2723842 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/11/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2723842 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are two children currently living in the home. One child has left since the last inspection in a planned way, moving to semi-independence in line with their care plan. The two remaining children were both spoken to during the inspection and are making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are listened to by staff that care deeply about them. They gather children’s views and take their opinions into account.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have been supported by staff to have many positive experiences outside of the home. For example, one child has been taken to a theme park in Paris and on a summer camp which they enjoyed. This has helped strengthen the child’s social skills, which in turn has helped them with building new relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work with others to ensure the children’s education needs are met. One child has been supported to move on to college and study for their chosen career. The other child attends mainstream education and is being helped by staff to obtain an education, health and care plan so they can access more support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy time with staff. Having time out with people they trust has provided children with the opportunity to speak about things that are bothering them. This has contributed to a significant reduction in self-injurious behaviours.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff make sure children are supported with their health needs. Both children are up to date with their routine appointments. Staff make sure that advice from health professionals is acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote the wishes of the children. One child, who has moved on to semi- independence, was supported with visits before the move. They were helped to have family members visit the suggested accommodation to gather their views on suitability and to help the child with their decision-making.

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outstanding

Staff build excellent relationships with children. These relationships have significantly contributed to children becoming safer and their vulnerabilities reducing. One child, who has lived in the home for two and a half years, simply said, ‘It’s the safest I’ve ever felt living in any home.’

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outstanding

Staff use their excellent knowledge of the children to develop extremely effective methods of communication. This enables them to provide highly effective support to children when they are struggling with their emotions. As a result, there have been Inspection report for children’s home: 2723842 4 no incidents requiring the use of physical restraint, there have been no incidents of children going missing from home and children are developing the skills and abilities to manage their complex personal histories in a safe and positive way. For example, one child, who previously used harmful ways to communicate distress, now uses their relationships with staff to talk about what is causing them distress. This has helped to enable them to move on from traumatic situations.

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outstanding

A police officer said the home does ‘amazing’ work to keep children safe. The officer visits regularly to meet with staff and children. They hold workshops with the children to help them understand exploitation and the changes in local and surrounding risks.

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outstanding

Staff embrace positive risk, allowing children to enjoy exciting, enriching experiences. They ensure that safety measures are appropriate and well understood by the children. For example, one child visited a summer camp after a comprehensive risk assessment was completed and shared with external agencies for their input. One child has developed the skills and knowledge to safely use social media, when previously there were safeguarding concerns. Staff continue to offer sound advice and guidance and monitor the use, but they enable children access in a safe and effective way.

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outstanding

Staff support children with their rights. Both children have independent people they can speak to about any concerns.

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outstanding

Children feel comfortable discussing past trauma in their early childhood. They trust adults with difficult and sensitive information. One child said they have not felt able to do that previously.

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outstanding

Staff have regular team meetings and discuss safeguarding as a fixed agenda item. Leaders use role-play scenarios to model safe and highly effective safeguarding practice. This helps to provide a consistent approach across the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has recently been promoted to the role, having worked in the home for 10 years. They hold the relevant level 5 diploma. The last manager left her post in June 2024.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is supported by an experienced deputy manager who has also worked in the home for several years. Both the manager and deputy know the children well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders are observant of their staff. One staff member said, ‘They notice when things are not quite right with you and listen at the time, then call you the next day to check in on how you are doing.’ Staff say they feel listened to and appreciated. The support from leaders means that staff develop their confidence and increase their aspirations. Inspection report for children’s home: 2723842 5 Leaders and managers make sure resources are available to staff to upskill them and help them to think about children’s experiences. A therapeutic practitioner attends meetings and delivers well-constructed and easy-to-digest information about managing trauma and emotional development. This enables staff to explore how this impacts on the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervisions are participative and regular. These help staff to be reflective. Team meetings are regular and have good interactions from the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Social workers say the communication so far has been good. This was also echoed by a reviewing officer, who said leaders prepare well for meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are no requirements or recommendations from this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2723842 6

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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: 2723842 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s 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

Dan Williams, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2723842 8 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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