Children's home run by PJL Healthcare Limited in Wealden

Inspection report for children’s home: SC486879 1 SC486879 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 is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to care for up to five children who experience social and emotional difficulties. There were three children living in 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 13 January 2023.

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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

Date of last inspection: 29 October 2024

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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: SC486879 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/10/2024 Full Outstanding 07/11/2023 Full Outstanding 17/01/2023 Full Outstanding 01/12/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC486879 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are thriving due to the exceptional care they receive from a strong and dedicated staff team. Staff consistently respond to children with warmth and unconditional positive regard. Their empathetic and non-judgemental approach helps children feel safe and supported, enabling them to share their experiences openly. This contributes to the development of trusting relationships and emotional resilience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Recording practices are highly child focused. Staff address children directly in records using caring, non-blaming language that reflects their level of understanding. These records offer valuable insight and will support children should they wish to revisit them in the future. Monthly reports are of a high standard and consistently celebrate children’s achievements, however small they may seem to others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children are participating in some form of education. While attendance has not always been consistent, staff have demonstrated creativity and flexibility in identifying alternative learning pathways tailored to individual needs. For one child, this includes exploring voluntary opportunities, which reflects a personalised and therapeutic approach to engagement. The other two children are enrolled in formal education settings and are making positive progress, particularly given their starting points. These developments indicate that staff are successfully supporting children to re-engage with learning in ways that are both meaningful and appropriate to their circumstances.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children and staff benefit from regular input from a clinical psychologist. This has strengthened staff’s understanding of children’s mental health needs and created a safe environment for therapeutic engagement. Therapeutic practice is fully embedded in children’s day-to-day care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children demonstrated confidence and a willingness to engage with inspectors, sharing their thoughts and feelings with honesty and openness. Their ability to participate in meaningful dialogue and show mutual respect is a testament to the culture fostered by staff. It is one that encourages self-worth and empowers children to express themselves freely. Children felt safe and supported enough to speak candidly. Their voices are being heard, and that is a powerful indicator of progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Animals play a central role in life at Acre Farm. Children spend meaningful time with them, forming safe and nurturing bonds that support emotional healing. These relationships allow children to experience affection without fear of rejection. Staff also bring their own animals into the home, further enriching these connections. The strength of these friendships was evident throughout the inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC486879 4

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

Children’s safety is central to practice. When children experience difficult emotions, staff respond with nurturing language and a strong understanding of individual needs. Physical intervention is rare and, when used, is proportionate and brief to maintain safety. Incident records are clear and reflective, demonstrating staff learning to improve practice. The manager’s reviews identify triggers and provide guidance to adapt approaches. Post-incident support is empathetic, giving children space to reflect on their feelings. The home promotes a culture of continuous learning for both staff and children.

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

Risk assessments and support plans prioritise prevention and understanding of incidents. While some children occasionally go missing, staff remain committed and never question the stability of the child’s placement. Missing-from-care protocols are followed, and staff work closely with professionals to ensure the child’s safe return. This consistent care and perseverance help children feel valued and secure.

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

All allegations about staff conduct are taken seriously, with timely steps taken to ensure the safeguarding of children. 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

Online safety is a clear priority for the home and the wider organisation. Staff receive bespoke e-safety training and have access to ongoing expert guidance. Internet use is monitored through a parental control system, which is regularly reviewed by the manager. These measures ensure children can access the internet safely.

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

Staff treat children with respect and understanding, tailored to their individual needs. They provide consistent boundaries and clear expectations, helping children feel safe and understand the natural consequences of their actions.

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

Professional feedback has been unanimously positive, with lots of examples of individual children’s progress. One social worker said:

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

They are child-centred and want what is best for the young people in their care. They have stuck through the hard times, which is not something that previous carers have been able to do, and this has made a massive impact on the child and has supported them to be able to learn that you can have tricky times, but you can then also repair those relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is highly respected by professionals and staff. Their strong commitment to providing the best possible care inspires the team, whose members take pride in helping children succeed. As a result, children receive excellent care from staff who are dedicated to achieving positive outcomes and supporting them to flourish. Inspection report for children’s home: SC486879 5 The registered manager has a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. They have robust plans in place to address identified improvements, ensuring continued progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The recent management restructure, including the introduction of a pastoral lead role, is working well and at a pace welcomed by staff. The presence of a committed deputy manager provides stability and a strong foundation for the team to thrive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel well supported by the registered manager and enjoy working in the home. They receive regular, effective supervision, complemented by team meetings, reflective practice with the clinical psychologist, and welfare sessions. This approach promotes professional development and ensures staff feel valued, contributing to high morale and excellent retention. Recent changes have formalised supervision processes, with a therapeutic focus introduced by the new pastoral lead.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager promotes strong partnership working with health, education, social care professionals and therapists to meet children’s needs holistically. They advocate for a trauma-informed approach across all practice, ensuring consistency and high-quality care that leads to positive outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC486879 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: SC486879 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: PJL Healthcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Mayfield House, East Street, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6TZ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Alethea Thomas Giles

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Inspectors

Emma Haskell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector (Lead) Vicki Horton, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC486879 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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