Children's home run by West Sussex County Council

Inspection report for children's home: SC037447 1 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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SC037447 Registered provider: West Sussex County Council

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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 provides care for up to 16 children with learning disabilities, aged between 5 and 18 years. This is a local authority home that provides short- and long-stay accommodation.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection, there were 4 children living in the long-stay accommodation and 5 children staying in the short-stay accommodation.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2007.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC037447 2 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2025 Full Outstanding 06/02/2024 Full Outstanding 28/02/2023 Full Good 14/04/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC037447 3 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children thrive in this environment, where staff demonstrate exceptional skill, compassion and commitment. From the outset, staff work diligently to understand each child’s unique communication style, using a range of approaches to ensure that the children feel heard and understood. This creates a culture in which individual needs are consistently met and children feel valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy a wide variety of meaningful and stimulating experiences. Creative play, arts-based activities and recreational pursuits are woven into daily life, giving children a strong sense of fun and belonging. Staff are highly attuned to children’s emotional and physical needs. They respond with sensitivity, offering calm spaces and quiet time when needed so that children can relax and recharge.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are actively involved in community life. For example, they were proud to win first place for their float at a local parade, and they regularly visit local attractions and leisure facilities. These experiences help children to develop confidence and social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Close collaboration between staff, families and professionals results in the development of realistic and achievable goals. Progress is evident in areas such as independence, communication and behaviour. For some children, these improvements represent significant milestones that enhance their confidence, wellbeing and quality of life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is thoughtfully furnished and personalised, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Bedrooms reflect individuality, and communal spaces are homely and welcoming. A major refurbishment was managed expertly, reducing anxiety and involving children in decisions about the development of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Feedback from parents and professionals is overwhelmingly positive. Families describe the service as invaluable and praise staff for their dedication and child-centred approach.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children benefit from consistent relationships with staff who know them well. This stability enables highly personalised care and fosters strong emotional connections. Staff show exceptional commitment in supporting children with complex needs, providing respite that has had a profound impact on families facing significant challenges.

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

Safeguarding practice at the home is exemplary. Staff have a deep understanding of their responsibilities and follow robust procedures to keep children safe. Individual risk assessments are detailed and regularly reviewed, enabling staff to anticipate and manage vulnerabilities effectively. Inspection report for children's home: SC037447 4 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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

Serious incidents are exceptionally rare. When children display behaviours that may be challenging, staff respond calmly and professionally, using positive strategies to de- escalate situations. Physical intervention is only ever used as a last resort to protect children and others.

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

Staff maintain close supervision of the children and continually assess the environment for emerging risks. Admission planning is thorough, ensuring that staff have all of the relevant information before a child arrives. Behaviour support plans are tailored and updated promptly to reflect any changes, supporting smooth and safe transitions to and from the home.

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

The staff team demonstrated exceptional commitment when supporting a child who was seriously ill. Staff worked tirelessly to ensure that the family and professionals involved received the support that they needed, helping the child to recover and to return home safely.

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

Children settle quickly at the home and develop a strong sense of trust in staff. Support is provided with patience, empathy and consistency. Families express high levels of confidence in the service, frequently stating that they feel reassured about their child’s safety.

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

Leaders manage allegations and staff concerns swiftly and effectively, addressing any poor practice supportively. As a result, children live in a safe and secure environment that consistently promotes their wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leadership is dynamic and forward-thinking. The registered manager has built a cohesive team with a clear vision, which is to deliver exceptional care and experiences for children. This vision is underpinned by high-quality training and regular supervision, both of which empower staff to provide excellent care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak positively about the support that they receive. Supervision sessions are reflective and provide opportunities for professional growth. Leaders encourage staff to contribute ideas, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and shared responsibility. Managers act swiftly to implement changes and ensure that staff feel confident when working with children who have complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders promote research-informed practice. Recent initiatives include work on developing schemas of play and training on emotional intelligence, with follow-up to evaluate the impact on practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home champions diversity and inclusion. Staff encourage children to participate in decisions that affect their lives, using innovative communication methods and a range of aids to overcome significant communication challenges. Inspection report for children's home: SC037447 5 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is a strong advocate for children and staff, challenging external agencies when necessary to secure the best outcomes for the children. Her commitment, combined with the dedication of the team, ensures that children experience care that is not only safe but transformative. Families consistently describe the service as indispensable, highlighting the profound impact that it has on their lives.

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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: SC037447 6 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: West Sussex County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1RG

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Inspectors

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Tracy Beard, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC037447 7 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspectors

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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