Children's Home run by Brighton and Hove City Council in Brighton and Hove

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC044880 1 SC044880

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Registered provider: Brighton and Hove City Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides short breaks and longer-term care for children aged between 8 and 18 who have severe or moderate levels of learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 3 children were staying at the home for short breaks. Two children and one young adult live long term in accommodation separate from that used for short breaks.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since June 2013.

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Inspection date: 10 December 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 10 December 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC044880 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making good progress because staff give them support that meets their individual needs. One child who displays self-injurious behaviour is now having fewer incidents and is more settled when they stay at the home. Another child who recently moved in is also showing improved behaviours, and this has been commented on by their parents. Because of this positive support, children feel happier and enjoy their time at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and managers work regularly with external professionals to make sure that children’s needs are met. For example, managers have asked specialist behaviour services for advice on how best to support a child who recently moved into the home. This joint working means that children are able to receive clear, coordinated support that matches their needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s views are now listened to and acted on. Staff communicate with children in ways that suit their individual needs, ensuring that the children’s voices are heard. Communication cards, symbols and observations are used to understand how children are feeling and what they want. For children who access short breaks, staff gather feedback at the end of each stay and ask what they would like to do during their next visit. A ‘you asked, we did’ approach is in place, so that children can see how their views have influenced decisions. Consequently, children feel valued, understood and able to express their wishes.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and managers have improved the way in which incidents are managed and recorded. Responses are now timely and proportionate. Records are clear, detailed and reflective. Managers maintain oversight of incidents and identify actions that support staff and strengthen practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff communicate regularly with parents and keep them informed about their child’s progress. Managers ensure that transition plans are in place for children who are moving on. Staff work in partnership with parents and relevant professionals to support children to move successfully to their next stage.

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Findings from the inspection

Allegations against staff are taken seriously and are managed appropriately. Managers report concerns to the local authority designated officer and follow the advice given. Investigations are completed in a timely way and lead to clear outcomes. However, a recent incident highlights some weaknesses in staff practice, particularly in their understanding and management of risk when children are taken out into the community.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, a child has moved into the flat that was previously vacant and has been refurbished. Although managers have taken action to ensure that the Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC044880 3 flat is safe, it is not yet homely and remains isolating and restrictive in terms of what the child can access. As a result, the environment does not support the child’s wellbeing or provide a positive and nurturing place to live.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have not ensured that appropriate specialist assessments are in place for restrictive measures that are used with children. For example, staff use a harness for a child when out in the community without an up-to-date assessment. As a result, it is unclear whether this measure is safe or appropriate for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager of the home remains absent. An interim manager is in post and is taking steps to register with Ofsted. Two deputy managers have been recruited to strengthen oversight and practice in the home. In addition, further staff have been appointed. As a result, staff report feeling better supported and able to meet children’s needs more effectively.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/04/2025 Full Inadequate 16/04/2024 Full Good 16/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC044880 4

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff consistently follow children’s risk assessments and understand their roles and responsibilities in managing risk, in line with the organisation’s policy. 30 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(ii)(e)) 30 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC044880 5 In particular, the registered manager must ensure that the home is able to sufficiently meet each child’s needs before the child moves in.

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs. (Regulation 5 (b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that any use of harnesses are appropriately assessed and reviewed to ensure that they remain safe and appropriate to use. 30 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC044880 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brighton and Hove City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Brighton & Hove City Council, Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove BN3 3BQ

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Inspector

Chido Mangava, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC044880 7 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 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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