Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

Inspection report for children's home: 2625942 1 Registered provider: My Choice Children's Homes Limited

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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 owned and managed by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to 6 children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, 5 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2023.

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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: 2625942 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Outstanding 08/05/2024 Full Outstanding 25/04/2023 Full Good 17/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2625942 3

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Summary of findings

Children experience high-quality, nurturing care in a home where they feel safe, valued and listened to. The warm, trusting relationships between staff and children underpin children’s significant progress. Children receive personalised support that helps them to manage difficult emotions, build confidence and achieve meaningful goals. Safeguarding practice is calm, skilled and reflective and staff respond to risks with empathy and consistency. Children's views shape daily life, and professionals describe them as 'thriving'. Leadership is strong, child-centred and trauma-informed, with robust oversight, high-quality staff support and effective partnership working. As a result, children flourish emotionally, socially and educationally and enjoy a stable, loving home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children benefit from living in a comfortable, well-resourced home and have a wide range of leisure opportunities. The garden offers zoned areas for football, growing vegetables and using the trampoline. Indoors, the new library corner promotes healthy routines and self-directed interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There is a strong sense of community. Children and staff show genuine warmth and support for one another. Recently, both groups were eager to welcome a new child, reflecting how settled and secure the home feels.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of children's needs and can identify positive qualities in each child, such as kindness, thoughtfulness and consideration for others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children experience nurturing, attuned relationships with staff who know them exceptionally well. Staff use their understanding of children's backgrounds and needs to provide effective support. Key-work sessions are meaningful. Personalised incentive charts have led to significant progress, including one child not leaving the home without permission for over 6 months and proudly achieving a trip to their chosen theme park.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Professionals recognise the strength of these relationships. One described them as 'pivotal' in supporting a child's progress from social withdrawal to active engagement in activities and summer events. Staff respond to children with empathy and insight, supported by therapeutic input. A recent 'Reset and Realign' day strengthened team cohesion and is evident in practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children's views, wishes and feelings are central to daily life. They influence care planning, activities and decisions about potential new children. The manager ensures that children are consulted before any child is considered, helping to maintain positive group dynamics and ensuring that children feel respected and involved. Inspection report for children's home: 2625942 4 Children's healthcare needs are met extremely well. Staff work closely with external agencies, including therapists and child and adolescent mental health services, to ensure that children receive up-to-date and appropriate support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children speak very positively about the home. A young person who recently moved on shared their heartfelt gratitude and praised staff who 'went above and beyond' to secure the best possible plan for them. Their confidence and optimism for the future reflect the staff team's impact.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff and managers advocate strongly for children, ensuring that their rights are upheld and that they receive independent advocacy when needed. This has been particularly beneficial for one young person after leaving the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children are flourishing. They receive education that is tailored to their needs, and reports from schools and tutors are consistently positive. Children's progress is evident in their emotional stability, engagement, confidence and readiness for future opportunities.

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

Children's safety is central to staff practice. Incidents are managed calmly, with staff using patient, nurturing approaches to de-escalate situations. Verbal reassurance and distraction are used consistently, and physical intervention is rare, proportionate and focused solely on safety. Records are detailed and shared promptly with social workers, ensuring transparency.

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

The manager's oversight of incidents is reflective and child centred. Reviews consider potential triggers and demonstrate empathy for how children may have felt at the time. This thoughtful approach means that should children choose to revisit their records in the future they will see accounts written with respect and understanding.

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

Staff know children extremely well. Strong relationships create an open culture where children feel able to share their worries. Children know how to complain and are supported to receive clear outcomes, reinforcing that their voices matter.

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

Accidents and injuries are recorded accurately and without delay. This ensures that any health or safety concerns are identified and acted upon quickly, protecting both children and staff.

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

Risk reduction is embedded in support plans and risk assessments. Staff understand that behaviour is a form of communication and use this insight to prevent incidents. Missing episodes are rare, but when they occur, staff follow protocols rigorously and work closely with professionals to ensure that children return safely.

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

Online safety is managed sensitively. Children's internet access is monitored through parental controls, and a recent concern was handled discreetly and compassionately. Staff are supporting the child to understand e-safety and unsafe online contact. Managers recognise online safety as an area for continued development. Inspection report for children's home: 2625942 5 Feedback from professionals and families is unanimously positive. They describe children as safe, well cared for and thriving. Staff observe children's emotional responses around family time and work closely with schools, therapists and social workers to ensure that arrangements remain in children's best interests. Increased contact has strengthened family relationships for some children and created opportunities for reunification.

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

Overall, children are protected by a highly attuned and reflective staff team. The home's nurturing culture, strong relationships and thoughtful safeguarding practice ensure that children feel secure, listened to and supported to make positive progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is highly committed to children's welfare and safety, and children recognise that their wellbeing is the priority. A consistent, child-centred approach helps children to feel safe, secure and loved. Staff remain steadfast, patient and committed to children's progress. This persistence reflects a strong, trauma-informed ethos and ensures that children experience unconditional care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has effective oversight of all significant events. Children are supported to reflect after incidents, and staff receive constructive debriefs. Reviews are timely, reflective and feed into team meetings to promote learning and consistency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Independent visitor reports have improved, though greater direct dialogue with the manager during visits would strengthen external monitoring.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Quality assurance is robust. Monthly audits provide clear oversight, and the manager is supported by a strong senior leadership team. Children know the wider staff group, contributing to a sense of stability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers show warmth, respect and care towards staff, creating a nurturing, therapeutic culture. Staff feel valued and supported, which enhances their ability to provide emotionally attuned care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak highly of the registered manager and the company's ethos. They benefit from regular supervision, team meetings and reflective debriefs. Safeguarding is a standing agenda item, and staff demonstrate strong understanding of children's needs. They are confident in reporting allegations and escalating concerns. Therapeutic input supports staff to maintain a trauma-informed approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Mandatory training is up to date, and the level 3 diploma is prioritised. New staff receive a thorough induction, ensuring consistent, informed and high-quality care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager models proactive partnership working with professionals and families, resulting in strong, transparent relationships and opportunities for reunification. Staff provide routines, boundaries and meaningful interactions, and children enjoy a wide range of activities that build their confidence and community links. Inspection report for children's home: 2625942 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff support children to be aware of and manage their own safety both inside and outside the home to the extent that any good parent would. Staff should help children to understand how to protect themselves, feel protected and be protected from significant harm, particularly when navigating the online world. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 43, paragraph 9.9)

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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: 2625942 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: My Choice Children's Homes Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Unit 3a Mill Green Business Estate, Mill Green Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 1XQ

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Inspector

Emma Haskell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2625942 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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