Children's Home run by Compass Social Care Limited in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for children’s home: 2779719 1 Registered provider: Compass Social Care

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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 provides care for up to three children with social and emotional needs and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted at the same time the home opened in October 2024. This manager also manages another setting in this organisation.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2779719 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first full inspection since the home registered with Ofsted in October 2024. At the time of the inspection, there was one child living at the home. The child was spoken to during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home opened, two children have moved in, and one child has moved on. When children move in, they receive a well-planned and warm welcome. When one child recently moved unexpectedly, staff and managers worked hard to manage this sensitively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living at the home is making good all-round progress and has positive experiences. They receive consistent and personalised care from staff to meet their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of education and regular routines for the child. The child has improved levels of attendance at school. The child also participates in planned vocational learning through regular work experience in building maintenance. An education professional from the virtual school has praised staff’s support as being instrumental to the improved commitment from the child towards their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff link with the local and wider community to ensure that the child has enjoyable experiences. The child plays for a football club and has recently competed in a cup final at a local stadium. The child’s views are actively sought and considered by staff to help plan their daily activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is registered with primary healthcare services and is encouraged to attend scheduled appointments. When concerns have been identified around the child’s substance misuse, appropriate referrals to specialist teams have been made. Staff also provide several learning sessions to the child to help them understand the wider health needs and the risks linked to substance misuse.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to undertake practical tasks to help build their independence skills. The child has enjoyed developing their skills in budgeting, cooking, cleaning and shopping.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has recently been able to reconnect with their family. Staff have supported the child to have several family visits and shared activities. This has significantly improved the child’s relationship with their family. The child’s parent was very complimentary about staff’s support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is generally well appointed and furnished. Managers ensure that there are regular maintenance routines so that the home remains in good decorative condition. Inspection report for children’s home: 2779719 3 However, there is an issue with the drainage system in the children’s shower room. This needs urgent attention to prevent water damage and further deterioration of the floor.

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

Staff understand the child’s individual needs and risks. The child’s risk management plan is detailed and regularly updated by staff and managers. There is clear guidance for staff to follow. These strategies reduce the risks.

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

There have been occasions when staff have used physical intervention to reduce risks of harm. These have been necessary and used as a last resort. Records are clear, and managers have monitored these interventions with staff and the child.

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

Staff help the child to develop knowledge around their personal safety. Frequent and well-planned one-to-one discussions cover important topics, including healthy relationships, developing alternative coping strategies and understanding the impact of substance misuse.

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

Staff have used several consequences as part of their wider approach to manage behaviour. These are generally logical and restorative. However, the manager does not always review these measures promptly to provide assurances that their use is proportionate and justified.

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

There are suitable safeguarding procedures. However, on one occasion, these were not followed when a child made a disclosure of past abuse against a previous care giver. The manager shared this concern with the child’s social worker. However, the manager did not refer this concern without delay to the local authority designated officer (LADO). This has hindered the effectiveness of the multi-agency approach to explore this concern. On another occasion when a child raised allegations of harm against staff, managers promptly referred this to the LADO and thoroughly investigated the concern.

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

Systems to monitor health and safety arrangements are generally effective. However, broken furnishings that could pose a risk to children were present in the garden. Leaders and managers took immediate action to safely secure these items during the inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager holds a social work degree and is working towards a relevant level 5 qualification. They are supported by a deputy manager and team leader. An experienced responsible individual provides oversight of the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak highly of managers and say that they are well supported. Staff are flexible and motivated about their work. This means that the child receives care from a consistent and stable staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager internal monitoring systems are effective. Development plans and internal reviews demonstrate appropriate levels of objectivity. Case records are detailed and Inspection report for children’s home: 2779719 4 clear. External monitoring visits by an independent person assist managers in having a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses in the support provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals are positive about the support provided and the effectiveness of communication with staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive an appropriate induction and attend well-planned training that equips them with the skills to meet children’s individual needs. Regular staff meetings have high attendance and ensure that a unified approach to care is maintained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions to reflect on their practice. However, records of these sessions do not always capture the depth of discussions held. Further work is also necessary to ensure that staff’s performance targets are identified and sufficiently challenging to contribute to their professional development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2779719 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

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that referrals are made to the local authority designated officer without delay in respect to any past allegations of abuse made by children. 31 July 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should provide a nurturing and homely environment. Specifically, ensure that issues with the drainage system in the children’s shower room are resolved. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that staff’s monitoring systems are strong enough to identify and remove potential hazards in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.10)  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control and discipline are subject to systems of regular scrutiny. In particular, review the proportionality of consequences used with children, within 48 hours. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)  The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff receive good-

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Recommendations

quality supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2) Inspection report for children’s home: 2779719 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: 2779719 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Compass Social Care

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 8 Madeira Avenue, Leigh on Sea, Essex SS9 3EB

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Wendy Edward-Tsuro

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Inspectors

Mark Anderton, Social Care Inspector Emilja Myers, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2779719 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 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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