Children's home run by PJL Healthcare Limited in Wealden

Inspection report for children’s home: SC068559 1 SC068559 Registered provider: PJL Healthcare 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

This privately owned home is registered to provide long-term care and short breaks for up to 16 children who have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is made up of six separate houses. There were seven children and young people living across five of the houses at the time of inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The two managers have been registered with Ofsted since December 2023 but have worked at the home for several years.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC068559 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/01/2024 Full Outstanding 11/10/2022 Full Good 14/09/2021 Full Good 19/11/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC068559 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are highly regarded by the staff team and are provided with a welcoming environment that is tailored to their individual needs. Staff speak fondly and proudly about each child and are keen to celebrate every achievement. Children enjoy contributing to the home, for example by cooking pancakes and sticky buns for everyone to enjoy and creating beautiful artwork which is proudly displayed. This gives them a sense of belonging and security.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s living environments are personalised in every aspect and truly reflect the individual needs of each of the children living in the home. This includes the layout of the flats and the personalised decor of each of the children’s bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Each of the houses is decorated to a high standard, with staff achieving their goal of replicating that of a family home as much as is possible. Surveillance of children is minimal, proportionate, and bespoke to the needs of the individual child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers are risk-aware and have taken steps to remove or adapt restrictions based on children’s needs and age. This is in recognition of the need to support children’s future plans, whether that be moving on to foster care or transitioning into adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are provided with care that is kind, nurturing, empathic and based on acceptance and understanding. Each child has their own unique way of communicating and the staff know the children well enough to understand what the child is trying to get across. Staff are always keen to capture each child’s views, wishes and feelings to inform future care planning, but also to ensure that children can choose what they eat, where they go and what they like to do on a day-to-day basis. Children enjoy spending time with staff and feel able to initiate and seek out affection and support when needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff do not make any decisions about children’s lives if they are able to make those decisions for themselves appropriately. Children are encouraged to gain their independence, according to their individual needs and understanding, and this helps build their skills and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The progress made by the children is remarkable, considering each of their starting points. One young person has recently progressed to an adult provision, after living in the home for many years. The transition was carefully planned and carried out at the young person’s pace, which has resulted in it being a resounding success. The young person has remained in touch and is reported to be doing well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Time with family is encouraged and facilitated within the home. One parent said: ‘I’d move in there myself if I could.’ Feedback from family members has been consistently positive, with parents being able to easily identify ways in which their child has progressed since their arrival at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068559 4 Children attend full-time education provision suited to their individual learning needs. Managers have good oversight of the quality of education that the children are provided with and they appropriately challenge when required, to ensure that children receive the right education for their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s healthcare needs are managed very well, with clear documentation to ensure that their medication is administered safely, as well as close liaison with relevant agencies and healthcare professionals. Where necessary, emergency plans are clearly documented; staff understand each plan and how to respond, including what not to do, in an emergency.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children do not complain often, but when they do, they are responded to swiftly, using their chosen method of communication. Staff raise complaints on behalf of children appropriately. The importance of effective multi-agency working is fully understood, and staff are unyielding in their advocacy for children to ensure that their best interests are being considered and consistently met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are provided with a wealth of opportunities to engage in fun activities of their choice, including holidays and nights away to London to see a show. Some children enjoy horse riding, while others prefer to engage in community groups such as Brownies, Beavers and the local orchestra. This gives the children a sense of belonging, both at the home but also within the local community, as well as building their confidence and feelings of self-worth.

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

Each child is provided with their own bespoke children’s guide which is suited to their individual needs and level of understanding. The home’s statement of purpose is regularly updated. It includes clear guidance for family members and professionals should they wish to make a formal complaint, including who to contact outside of the home should they wish to do so, such as Ofsted or the Children’s Commissioner. This helps to ensure transparency in staff practice.

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

Staff know each child’s needs in detail and risks are well understood. Positive behaviour support plans are followed closely to ensure that the children are provided with appropriate guidance and support.

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

Incidents in which children become distressed or may pose a risk to themselves or others are infrequent and records are thorough. Triggers are identified and, on the few occasions when physical intervention has been used, it has been clearly documented and the rationale explained. Physical intervention is only used after other de-escalation techniques have been exhausted. Management oversight and evaluation are of good quality, as are staff and child debriefs.

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

Safeguarding is a responsibility that every one of the team takes seriously. Staff are confident in their knowledge and understanding of children’s backgrounds and care Inspection report for children’s home: SC068559 5 needs and any concerns are appropriately escalated. Staff are transparent in their practice, ensuring that parents and social workers feel well informed without any undue delay.

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

All allegations are taken seriously, with timely steps taken to ensure the safeguarding of children following any allegation made. All concerns are shared with safeguarding professionals, including them being consulted on the decisions reached. Follow-up and reparative work are routinely undertaken with children. This helps the children to feel valued, heard and, ultimately, safe.

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

Staff training is extensive; staff are provided with the opportunity to gain relevant qualifications in a timely way. This helps to ensure that children are safe and well cared for by staff who have the knowledge and skills required. It has also increased staff confidence and their ability to work with children with a range of sometimes complex health conditions.

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

Managers have good oversight of medication. The open culture in the home means that staff report any concerns in a timely fashion, which ensures that the needs of the children are always prioritised. Any medication errors are fully investigated and, when necessary, staff have received additional training and competency assessments to reduce the risk of further mistakes.

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

Health and safety in the home, including the recognition of fire risk, are effective. Any maintenance requirements are quickly resolved, and managers ensure that the home is maintained to a high standard. Children live in a safe environment and both staff and children know what is expected in an emergency to keep themselves and others safe.

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

Recruitment practices are thorough and follow safer recruitment principles. This enables children to be cared for by staff who are suitably experienced and trustworthy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by an extremely tenacious and innovative management team who seek to drive continuous improvement for the home and benefit the children who live there.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers focus on ensuring that staff feel well supported. To achieve this, they ensure that staff are provided with regular, high-quality supervision, annual appraisals, regular team meetings, and mentoring for the senior care staff, as well as monthly reflective spaces provided by the therapy team. Training workshops ensure that a high standard of care continues to be provided to children. Staff are supported to identify and undertake further training in line with their professional development plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have ensured that they have been responsive to the requirement made at the last inspection regarding using monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements to the quality of care, and they have successfully addressed this shortfall. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068559 6 There are transparent and respectful relationships between leaders, managers and the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers set a high standard with their expectations of the care to be provided to children and manage this through oversight of all aspects of practice and the careful monitoring of children’s progress. Quality assurance is timely and effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers know the areas of strength in the home and show pride when showcasing what they and the staff do well. They are also aware of areas for development and take a proactive approach in pursuing improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Equality, diversity and inclusion are promoted in the home. The staff team ensures that children are enabled to celebrate both their own and different cultures and religions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have built organised, transparent and effective relationships across the professional network and consistently set the high standard that only the most exceptional care for children is acceptable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are sufficient and capable staff to fulfil the needs of the children every day. Staff feel well supported and describe a positive organisational culture in which they feel valued. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068559 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: SC068559 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: PJL Healthcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Alethea Thomas-Giles

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Megan King and James Kay

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Inspectors

Emma Haskell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Kerry Howarth, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC068559 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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