Children's home run by Sunbridge Childcare Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 1 Registered provider: Sunbridge Childcare Ltd

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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 privately operated. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living in the home. The inspector spoke to three children.

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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: 21 January 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/01/2025 Full Good 31/10/2023 Full Good 10/01/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 3

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outstanding

Children are cared for by a wonderfully caring and responsive staff team that is truly invested in their futures. Staff take time to understand what motivates children and how they can care for them effectively. As a result, children quickly develop strong and meaningful relationships with the staff, and this becomes the foundation for their progress.

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outstanding

A psychologist has recently been commissioned to provide clinical oversight of the children’s care. The manager and her team are using this new resource to great effect, developing staff practice to benefit children. Care planning, case records and direct work with children are clearly linked and demonstrate strong and effective collaborative approaches.

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outstanding

Children make rapid progress in their education and training. They are encouraged to pursue learning in an area that interests them. Equally, when children find education difficult, staff respond quickly to ensure that a meaningful alternative is sought. One education worker said, ‘[Name of child] left for the summer break and came back as a different child, engaged in learning and loving school.’ Staff are adept at identifying additional learning needs and ensuring that any necessary assessments are carried out by school or college. This means children have the right support to enable them to make significant academic progress.

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outstanding

The importance of quality family time is prioritised by the staff. They facilitate a wide range of bespoke arrangements to ensure that children have positive experiences with their families. Similarly, the manager supports parents to better understand their children and how to meet their individual needs. Collectively, these approaches help children and their families to develop safer relationships and spend meaningful time together.

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outstanding

Fun and engaging activities are always on offer to the children. Staff facilitate group activities based on children’s interests. For example, they enjoy playing games from their favourite television show, hosted by the staff and children every Friday in the jungle-themed dining room. Additionally, staff understand the importance of children pursuing their own interests outside of the home with the support of staff. This quality time spent with children helps them develop trusting relationships that help them feel secure.

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outstanding

Children move into the home in a planned way that helps them adjust to their new environment. Care plans and risk assessments are detailed and provide clear strategies for staff to follow. Children are aware of their individual plans and contribute to their design. This motivates children to engage with the care and support available to them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 4 Children live in a warm and welcoming home that is well maintained. There is an abundance of photos displaying memorable moments and children’s achievements in every room of the home. Their bedrooms are furnished and decorated to a high standard and reflect children’s individual personalities and interests.

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outstanding

Children spoke positively about the care they receive from the staff. They said they feel safe in the home and could identify a trusted adult who they can talk to about any worries or concerns. The inspector observed sibling-like interactions between the children, who are evidently fond of one another.

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outstanding

Staff help children to learn how to manage their emotions and build increasing resilience. They teach children creative methods to self-reflect. For example, the manager and staff write a monthly letter to the children that celebrates children’s achievements and sensitively details any areas of concern. Children are encouraged to think about their experiences each month.

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outstanding

Children are helped to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, the manager invites guest speakers to children’s meetings to educate children about topics such as knife crime. Equally, staff are consistent and positive role models to children, and this influences how children behave. Children respond well to this and increasingly make safe choices.

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outstanding

Staff are attuned to children’s indicators of well-being. They quickly identify changes in behaviour that indicate emerging risks and take action to reduce any effect on the child. They work dynamically using a multi-agency approach to understand and mitigate risks to children before they negatively affect them. Staff’s intuition and knowledge of each child help keep children safe from harm.

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outstanding

When restrictions are required, such as limits on internet usage and tracking devices on mobile phones, they are explained clearly to the children. The manager keeps these restrictions under review and uses them only when necessary for the least amount of time that is needed.

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outstanding

When children go missing from the home, the staff respond with care and concern. They do not stop looking for children until they are found. Children are welcomed back to the home, and their motivation for going missing is explored and validated. This helps children to understand that staff care and want them to be safe. As a result, missing incidents quickly reduce. For some children, this is exceptional progress from their starting points. Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a motivational leader who is invested in the safety, welfare and progress of the children and staff alike. Her innovative approach has led to significant progress in the home since the last inspection. She is a strong advocate for children and confidently challenges other agencies to ensure that decisions are made in children’s best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has positive relationships with the children and understands their needs well. Her constant desire to improve the service that children receive is admirable. She works closely with parents to share her knowledge and improve the lives of children beyond their time living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has introduced a new monitoring and recording system that enables her to track the progress of children and reflect and learn from incidents where children have been at risk of harm. She uses this learning to improve practice and systems in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Parents and professionals speak highly about the manager and her staff team. One parent said, ‘I go to bed knowing [name of child] is safe and that they feel safe living there. What more could I want?’ A professional said, ‘They are just amazing.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Ongoing investment in training and therapeutic support with a psychologist helps staff to develop their understanding of children’s individual needs and how these can best be met. Regular, reflective practice-related supervision consolidates this learning and helps the manager to understand any gaps that need addressing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 6

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2686524 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sunbridge Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 Hedley Court, North Shields NE29 7ST

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Inspector

Beth Forster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2686524 8 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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