West Sussex County Council Children’s Home Recognised For Making Significant Improvements

A West Sussex County Council children’s home in Crawley has been recognised for making significant improvements in recent months.

The pace of progress made at Teasel Close has resulted in the home receiving an overall rating of ‘good’ following a recent Ofsted inspection.

This means that all six of the county council’s children’s homes in West Sussex are judged to be ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.

Teasel Close looks after up to five children aged 12 to 17 and aims to provide a warm and caring environment where the young people are supported in coming to terms with their past and current issues and begin to prepare for their future.

This work feeds into the county council’s priorities to keep people safe from vulnerable situations and to help people to achieve their potential. In the newly published report, inspectors found that:

• Children were well supported by skilled staff who are attentive to their needs 

• Staff were proactive in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children 

• Children’s mental and emotional health was prioritised and staff are equipped to support children with complex needs and trauma 

• The effectiveness of leaders and managers is good 

The new report returns Teasel Close to its ‘good’ status after it was briefly downgraded to ‘inadequate’ following an inspection earlier this year.

The work to bring the home back up to ‘good’ was recognised in the new report with inspectors particularly noting the ‘positive relationships’ that staff have with children in the home and how ‘these relationships have blossomed recently’. 

Cllr Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, Learning & Skills, said:

“All children and young people need a safe, supportive and stable environment to call home.

"This is especially crucial for children we care for, who have often suffered trauma in their lives and need additional care to keep them safe from vulnerable situations. 

"Therefore, I am very pleased to see Teasel Close regain a positive judgement from Ofsted in recognition of the work that has gone in recently to make necessary improvements.

"We will of course, continue to strive to make this home even better to give children and young people the best chance possible to achieve their full potential.” 

You can read the full report on Ofsted’s website.