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

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2667197 1 Registered provider: Compass Childrens Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care for up to four children who have experienced trauma and who have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

Two children were living in the house at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The manager is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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'. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2667197 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have taken some action to address the shortfalls identified at the full inspection. An appropriate action plan is in place to continue to develop, and managers show commitment in their aim to continue to improve the quality of care given to children who live here.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has experienced several changes in management. A new home manager is now in post and has submitted her application to register with Ofsted. A new responsible individual has been in post since January 2025 and there is a plan for a gradual handover to take place with the current post holder.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s experiences at this home have previously been impacted by multiple changes to the staff team. The manager has taken action to stabilise the staff team and improve the consistency of care being provided to children. For example, rotas have been reviewed, and staff have been provided with additional specialist training.

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Findings from the inspection

Three children have moved out of the home since the previous inspection. One child was well supported to have a planned move. Staff helped them to develop their independence skills and visit their new home before moving out.

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Findings from the inspection

Two other children moved from the home in May 2024 and December 2024 due to staff not being able to safely meet their needs. Towards the end of both children’s time at the home, there were several significant incidents, which included staff being injured and property being damaged. These incidents also impacted negatively on the other children living here.

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Findings from the inspection

Some learning has been taken from these endings. Managers have reviewed their own processes and have raised concerns with one child’s placing local authority about the accuracy of the information shared about their needs before they moved in.

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Findings from the inspection

Children generally enjoy living in this home and have positive relationships with staff. Staff know children well and understand their specific likes and dislikes. However, not all staff are clear about children’s specific needs and risks or some safeguarding procedures.

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Findings from the inspection

When children go missing, staff generally take appropriate action in line with their care and support plans. However, for one child, guidance to staff is not clear or specific enough. The manager has recognised a requirement for this child’s plan to be updated to reflect their current level of risk and need, and has begun to progress this with the local authority. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2667197 3 Restraint is used in appropriate circumstances and to prevent serious harm. Managers use appropriate monitoring systems to support them to better understand and follow children’s experiences and progress. When there are concerns about staff practice, managers identify these and take action to address them. For example, they provide additional support or training if required.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers take appropriate action and follow relevant procedures when serious safeguarding concerns are raised. However, appropriate action has not always been taken promptly when children have made allegations against staff and notifications have not previously been made to Ofsted. Leaders and managers have since identified these shortfalls and have taken action to rectify them.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff enjoy working at this home and were very positive about the support and visibility of managers. Newer members of staff reported that they feel well supported by colleagues and managers and able to ask questions about their role if needed.

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Findings from the inspection

Team meetings are used to good effect by managers to share information and reinforce expectations with staff. Staff are well supported by therapeutic practitioners to reflect on children’s experiences and to consider their own practice in a child-focused manner.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment is clean, tidy and generally well presented. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to their individual tastes and interests. However, door alarms are in place on both children’s bedroom doors without clear reasoning for their use or a clear timescale for their review. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2667197 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/07/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2667197 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 8 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 8 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and 8 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2667197 6 promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the reasoning for any restrictive practices or monitoring of children is clearly documented along with clear timescales for review. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 16, paragraph 3.16) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2667197 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 Rayns Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1PF

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Inspector

Janet Jauregui, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2667197 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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