Children's Home run by Cherry Lane Therapeutic Homes Ltd in East Sussex

Inspection report for children's home: 2816504 1 Registered provider: Cherry Lane Therapeutic Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for one child who experiences social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the .

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since December 2024.

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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: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2816504 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/04/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2816504 3

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Summary of findings

One child has continued to live in the home since the last inspection. Managers and staff provide outstanding care, protection and leadership, resulting in exceptional progress for the child. The child is achieving positive outcomes in their independence, education, community involvement and emotional security. Excellent safeguarding, strong advocacy and compassionate leadership ensure that the child’s voice is central to decision ‑ making. The child is being supported to confidently prepare for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection, one child has continued to live in the home and is making excellent progress. The child lives in a well-maintained and child-focused home that is personalised to their tastes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child has secure, trusting and warm relationships with staff. These positive relationships have helped the child to develop confidence, regulate their emotions and respond positively to guidance from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have carried out meaningful direct work with the child’s family to help repair and rebuild relationships. As a result, the child now benefits from relaxed, high ‑ quality time with their family. For example, staff supported the child and their family to go on a holiday abroad, which created positive shared experiences and strengthened family bonds.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child has made excellent progress in their education. They had struggled to engage in education; however, they are now participating regularly and are working towards completing qualifications. Staff have worked well with education professionals, through regular networking meetings, to ensure that the child is receiving the most appropriate support in school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are supporting the child to prepare for their transition from the home. This includes helping the child to develop independence by supporting them to use public transport to travel to school, and to prepare their own meals. Staff consistently model positive life skills. This helps the child to gain the confidence and skills needed to carry out everyday tasks independently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Leaders are creative in their approach to helping the child feel part of the local community. For example, leaders have identified opportunities for the child to begin volunteering in their local area. This is helping the child to develop a sense of belonging and gain meaningful experiences that support their confidence and preparation for adulthood. Inspection report for children's home: 2816504 4 The child’s voice is central to decision-making at the home, and their views are considered thoughtfully and sensitively. The child is empowered to share their views in a meaningful and impactful way. For example, leaders have supported the child to speak with a local MP about their experience of domestic abuse. This has supported the child’s confidence in stepping out to effect positive change.

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

There is an excellent approach to safeguarding in the home and staff have a sound understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They are confident in recognising and responding to concerns. Clear procedures are followed consistently, ensuring that risks are identified promptly and appropriate action is taken to keep the child safe.

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

The child is involved in creating their own safety plans. For example, the child has provided input into how they can safely and gradually take responsibility for having a mobile phone. The involvement of the child in this plan has meant that they have engaged fully in their own safety and provided solution-focused ideas. This has resulted in safe use of the phone.

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

Staff work diligently with external agencies to ensure the child’s safety. In one situation, the child was not being sufficiently safeguarded from risks outside of the home. Leaders supported the child to apply to the civil courts to ensure their safety, enabling the child to be safeguarded from these external risks in a timely manner.

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

Staff implement the home’s model of care consistently. Physical intervention is rarely used and incidents in the home have reduced significantly. When incidents do occur, staff use creative approaches, including the use of restorative videos, to resolve them and to assist future learning. These approaches have helped to rebuild emotional security and strengthen relationships with the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by compassionate, child-focused and committed leaders. Together, they have successfully embedded their chosen model of care. Leaders are supported by a dedicated and proactive staff team, who all have high aspirations for the child. As a result, the child receives high-quality care from a well-informed, stable and cohesive staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is creative in how she oversees the home. For example, she regularly works shifts alongside staff, allowing her to gain a clear understanding of daily practice and the experiences of the child. This approach allows the manager to maintain strong oversight of the quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from reflective supervision that takes into account their wellbeing. Staff praise the support and guidance they receive from leaders. They feel inspired and motivated by leaders and this helps to ensure that they continue to provide high-quality care. Inspection report for children's home: 2816504 5 The registered manager is a strong advocate for the child. For example, when the child was refused an education placement, the registered manager challenged this decision through a variety of means. The decision was overturned, resulting in the child being fully engaged and achieving in education. An education professional said, ‘It is heartwarming to work with a home like this.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager works transparently with other professionals and family members. This ensures that the child’s plans are well informed and consistent. The child’s parents said, ‘We feel privileged to have found this home. The support they give [name of child] and us is life changing.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection.

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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: 2816504 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cherry Lane Therapeutic Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Chapel Cottage, Chapel Lane, Westfield, Hastings TN35 4QX

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Inspector

Stephanie McDonald, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2816504 7 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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