Children's home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2630796 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home that provides care for up to four children who may experience social, emotional and mental health needs.

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Information about this children’s home

There were four children living at 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 August 2023.

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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: 2630796 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/03/2024 Full Good 24/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2630796 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a safe, spacious and well-decorated home that feels warm and inviting. Photos of the children and staff engaging in various activities are displayed on the walls, giving the space a homely atmosphere while reflecting the children’s identities and interests. Consequently, children have a sense of security, belonging and self-expression.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children said that they feel safe. To describe their experience in the home, one child said, ‘I just feel safe and settled.’ Children are healthy. They have a healthy diet and routines and are supported to attend routine health appointments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in line with their individual goals. Social workers attribute the progress made by children to the care and support they are receiving from staff. One social worker said, ‘Since moving to the home, the child is now better able to socialise and engage in activities.’ Another said that a child had improved their relationship skills and is now better able to maintain friendships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to meet their educational milestones. Staff have high aspirations for children and encourage them to do well. They advocate effectively for children with education providers to ensure they access the resources they need to succeed. One child successfully completed their GCSEs. When children are struggling to engage with education, this is explored, and alternative measures that are in line with their needs are considered. As a result, children receive support to learn in line with their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well. This is because they take time to understand the children’s needs and behaviours. Consequently, children receive support that contributes to their progress. Staff attend regular child-focused meetings, which are individualised for each child. This helps staff to form a well-informed and shared assessment of children’s needs. This, in turn, helps them to identify the right interventions and support to help children have a consistent experience of care and to make progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to learn skills for independence that are age-appropriate. Children are supported to complete daily tasks. One child is supported to complete food shopping and pack it away. Another is supported and encouraged to make tea. Both children enjoy engaging in these tasks, and it helps them feel valued and part of the household.

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

A positive culture of safeguarding is established in the home. The staff understand their roles and responsibilities. They frequently update their safeguarding knowledge through discussions in team meetings, reflective discussions and supervision sessions. Inspection report for children’s home: 2630796 4 Children have positive relationships with staff. Staff are attuned to the children’s needs, so children can seek support freely from trusted adults. For one child, after they returned from school, they were greeted with hugs and smiles from staff. There is an interest from staff to know how the child’s day has been. This helps children feel secure in the knowledge that they are wanted and loved in the home.

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

Physical interventions are sometimes used as a last resort to keep children safe. The manager takes a proactive and child-focused approach in overseeing the incidents to ensure safe practice. The manager’s oversight provides insight into areas of development for staff, for example improving the recording of incidents and providing additional training when needed.

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

The organisation’s therapeutic input also informs how risks are managed. This helps staff to provide effective support to children who may be experiencing difficulties or challenges due to their past experiences. This approach enables the staff team to understand the reasons behind behaviours that children present and to provide thoughtful care to help children to develop socially and emotionally.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a reflective manager who knows the staff and children well. She leads by example to support and develop the staff team. The manager is actively involved in the children’s day-to-day care and is described by staff as supportive. The manager and staff have high aspirations for each child and work hard to help children to enjoy their childhoods.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the home’s strengths and areas that need improvement. A comprehensive process is in place to ensure safe recruitment practices for all staff. The manager ensures that all agency workers have had the necessary checks completed before they begin their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has addressed a shortfall identified at the last inspection. As a result, information relating to children is now kept securely and confidentially. This protects the privacy and dignity of each child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Several staff members have recently been recruited; therefore, managers have adapted training to consider the needs of the whole team. For example, additional refresher training is provided routinely for all staff to increase their confidence and ensure a consistent approach to supporting children and understanding their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Senior leaders and managers are supportive of staff and each other. This has created a positive work environment where staff can learn and develop. During busy periods and times when the manager has been off, the responsible individual has stepped in and taken on some key tasks. However, the monitoring of some tasks was less effective during this period; for example, important information relating to children’s plans was not on file. Inspection report for children’s home: 2630796 5 Staff are supported through regular supervision and yearly appraisals. In addition, there are opportunities for staff and managers to reflect on practice in child-focused meetings. As a result, children receive good-quality, well-informed care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from external professionals is positive. Social workers commended the staff for their clear communication, saying they are kept up to date regularly on key information. This collaborative approach leads to a shared understanding of the children’s needs among the relevant professionals. This helps to keep the best interests of children at the heart of care planning and decision-making. Inspection report for children’s home: 2630796 6

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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 maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. (Regulation 36 (a)) 1 May 2025

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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: 2630796 7

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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: Compass Community Ltd, 3 Raynes Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PF

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Inspector

Chido Mangava, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2630796 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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