Children's Home run by HeadStart Residential Care Ltd in East Sussex

Inspection report for children's home: 1275500 1 Registered provider: HeadStart Residential Care 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

This home is operated by a private company and was registered in September 2018.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care for up to 2 children with social and emotional difficulties and learning difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

The registered manager has been in post since December 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1275500 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/06/2025 Full Good 04/03/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/11/2023 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1275500 3

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers of the home provide strong and clear oversight and guidance to staff. They are present and well respected by all who enter the home. Relationships with the wider network are strong and support planning that is child centred. The child has fun in the home and is supported by staff that know them well. A wide variety of activities help the child to engage with the wider community and build friendships. Staff are child led and provide clear and consistent boundaries, which help the child to feel safe and well cared for. All previous requirements and recommendations were met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has fun in the home. They are supported to engage in a wide variety of activities both in the home and the community, such as football, swimming, arcades and trips to local parks. The addition of a fish tank has provided the opportunity for the child to further develop their sense of ownership and responsibility.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The high-quality relationships between staff and the child are fundamental to the child's progress. There is an atmosphere full of warmth and care, and staff are clearly invested in the progress of the child. A parent said that the child has good role models to look up to and learn from.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is clean and tidy. The child's bedroom is personalised to his taste. During the inspection, there were extensive works being carried out to refresh the decoration of the home and renew some furnishings. The child had chosen the new colour scheme and is encouraged to share his views in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the value of children maintaining relationships with their family. Children are helped to build and maintain positive relationships with the important people in their lives. Staff work with professionals to ensure that plans that prioritise children's wellbeing are followed. This enables children to spend quality time with their family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is well supported in the home. The child attends school full time and has made good progress with their key skills. Where further support for the child is needed, the registered manager has requested additional support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships with peers outside of the home are encouraged and maintained. The child now spends weekly time with a peer in the community, who he met through a shared enjoyment of swimming. This friend was able to attend the child's birthday party. Inspection report for children's home: 1275500 4

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

The previous requirement in relation to maintaining a safe premises has been met. Leaders and managers now have a clear oversight of external contractors in the home and all necessary health and safety upgrades have been completed. There is a robust system in place to address any future concerns.

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

Staff approach difficult conversations with the child in a way that is best suited to their presentation and understanding. Staff are able to support the child to reflect on an event by following the child's lead in conversations. This helps the child to develop a sense of awareness of self and others.

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

There have been no instances of the child going missing from the home. The child has been supported to understand their emotions and manage them in a constructive way.

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

Since the last inspection, the consistency of staffing has improved. There are now dedicated waking night staff providing support for evening and morning routines. This provides smooth transitions to the start and end of the day and additional reassurance overnight, supporting a positive and stable environment for children. Staff are safely recruited and have a strong induction to the home.

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

Instances requiring physical intervention are well managed. There are strong practices in place to support reflection and learning. Debriefs for staff are comprehensive and consistent. This has supported a reduction in serious incidents.

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

Staff advocate for children effectively. Children are supported to raise their concerns through regular key-work sessions. This is fed back to the manager, who is responsive. There is currently not a consistent way to record responses to the child so that they know that their views have been taken into account.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and deputy manager are dedicated and very present in the home. They are passionate, ambitious and have created an environment that is supportive and welcoming for the child, staff and all visitors to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has clear oversight of the quality of care provided to children. He can identify where there are learning opportunities in his own and others' practice. This promotes an open and reflective culture in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervisions, team meetings, training and child-focused sessions are all comprehensive and tailored to ensure that the needs of the child are met in the best way. This ensures that staff all provide the child with a consistent approach and clear expectations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are fierce advocates for the child in their care. They escalate concerns when health services have not been forthcoming, ensuring that the child Inspection report for children's home: 1275500 5 receives the support they need in a timely manner. This has supported the child to better manage a health issue.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have strong working relationships with the child's wider network and work closely with them to achieve the best outcomes for the child. A social worker said, 'The management team are fantastic; their communication with me has been great.' Inspection report for children's home: 1275500 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. In particular, the registered manager must devise a clear plan and risk assessment to effectively manage the child's distress- related behaviours, including how any allegations against staff will be addressed and responded to. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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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: 1275500 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: HeadStart Residential Care Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 30-34 North Street, Hailsham BN27 1DW

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Scott Fasciolo-Barnes

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Inspector

Emma Blake, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1275500 8 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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