Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children’s home: 2664035 1 Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes 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

The home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to four children who may experience emotional or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in May 2022. The registered manager post has been vacant since September 2024. A new manager has been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home and two were spoken to by the inspector.

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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: 2664035 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/03/2024 Full Good 21/03/2023 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2664035 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have moved out of the home since the last inspection. These moves were well planned and in line with the children’s wishes and feelings. One child has lived at the home for more than two years.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have developed trust in the people who care for them. The children say that they find the staff approachable and feel that the staff and the managers care for them well. This supports the children to share any worries or fears they may have. One child wrote, ‘I feel [name of home] is the closest you’ll come to a home! The staff here listen. They’re reasonable, and they actually care for us and each other.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand and effectively respond to the needs of the children. The manager and staff have built good relationships with the children and encourage them to share their views, wishes and feelings about their care and the home. There is a positive and warm atmosphere in the home, where staff engage and have fun with the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care plans for the children clearly set out what is needed to help them progress through their own journeys. Clear plans enhance the life chances of the children. Plans focus on actions and consider the barriers that might hinder the children’s progress and ways to overcome them. The children undertake focused work with staff to help them to meet the aims and objectives of their plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children to spend time and remain in contact with their family. This encourages the children to stay connected with people who are important to them and supports their identity and sense of belonging. This is particularly important when children live away from their family and friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children personalise their bedrooms and are settled and happy at the home. Staff ensure that the home environment is welcoming, safe, clean and tidy. Regular health and safety checks are carried out, and health and safety risk assessments are reviewed regularly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children receive education. There is effective communication between staff and the children’s education providers, which supports the children’s educational attainment. However, one child does not have routines in place that support their participation in education.

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

The children’s risk assessments and behaviour management plans are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current risks and behaviours. They provide staff with clear guidance on the actions to take to keep the children safe. This helps to ensure that the children are safeguarded effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: 2664035 4 A therapist is based in the home permanently. They work closely with staff to understand the needs of the children. The staff apply strategies learned from the therapist to respond to the children in a way that supports them to manage their feelings and behaviour. One staff member said, ‘Every day, I have the honour of seeing these amazing kids show incredible resilience and strength.’

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

The children’s guide helps to make the complaints process clear for the children. When the children raise complaints, their concerns are listened to and addressed by leaders and managers. The children are kept updated about the actions being taken and the outcome of their complaint.

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

Staff understand and follow the home’s missing-from-home policy. There have been three missing-from-home incidents since the last inspection. When there is an incident, the child is welcomed home warmly by staff on their return. For example, they are offered food and drink.

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

Staff are trained in physical intervention and de-escalation techniques. Physical intervention is only used as a last resort to keep children safe. When physical intervention is used, the children and staff have a reflective debrief session with the manager. This enables the manager to review staff practice and identify if any changes are required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is enthusiastic about driving the development of the home. The manager has a clear vision for the service and is supported by an experienced deputy manager. They manage the home effectively and promptly address any shortfalls. This enables the leaders and manager to take swift action to address any shortfalls, develop staff practice to address the care provided for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager creates an environment that actively promotes and supports staff professional development. All staff expressed that they feel professionally supported. For example, a new member of staff reflected on how he has been supported in the role and is really enjoying working in residential childcare.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment practice ensures that new staff are suitable to work at the home. New staff receive a thorough induction and appropriate training for their role. Staff complete training specific to the needs of the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals provided positive feedback on the quality of communication and updates they receive about the ongoing care of the children. Relationships with external agencies and professionals are strong and constructive. An independent reviewing officer informed the inspector that communication is excellent and said, ‘At meetings, they advocate well and take on board comments about the child and his needs’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager actively promotes tolerance and equality to support the child who has specific religious needs. The manager and staff support the child to develop their own Inspection report for children’s home: 2664035 5 identity by taking time to support them to access their religion. For example, one child is supported to attend mosque and observe Ramadan in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is high. Staff receive monthly supervision as well as attend monthly staff meetings. In addition, staff have regular sessions with the home’s therapist. One staff member said, ‘Because I feel valued, I know I can achieve the skills necessary to try and be a good RSW.’ However, supervision records do not show reflective discussions about staff practice and professional development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2664035 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff support children to engage in suitable structured activities when they are not in school. Specifically, the registered person should ensure that staff put in place a routine that supports a return to education. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that staff supervision enables staff to reflect and act on how they are feeling, specifically how they may be affected by the behaviour of the children they care for. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.15)

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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: 2664035 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Children’s Homes Limited

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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

Debbie Dawson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2664035 8 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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