Home in West Sussex where ‘children thrive and flourish’ rated Outstanding again

A children’s home in Worthing has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted for a second year in a row. Inspectors praised staff at Bright Star for their ‘exceptional commitment’ to helping young people with disabilities to ‘thrive and flourish’.

Bright Star, a West Sussex County Council-run home, achieved successive Outstanding ratings following a latest inspection earlier this year. It follows the positive recent Ofsted report for Breakwater children’s home nearby, meaning all five of the County Council’s open children’s homes continue to be rated Outstanding or Good.

In a highly positive report for Bright Star, inspectors said: “Children thrive and flourish because of their nurturing relationships with staff. Staff speak passionately about the children that they care for, and their aspirations for them. There is a genuine sense of love and acceptance. Staff proudly show off photographs and recite memories of children’s achievements and significant milestones.”

Bright Star provides permanent accommodation for up to six children as well as short breaks for over 30 children who have complex physical and learning needs. Inspectors praised the way staff understand each child and the individual ways they communicate, giving every child a ‘voice to contribute to all aspects of their daily lives’.

‘Consistently exceeding standards of good’

The report also found that:

• Bright Star provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good.
• Staff are extremely patient and supportive. They help children to reach their goals and gain new skills
• Staff demonstrate an exceptional commitment to helping children to understand and cope with their emotions when they find situations difficult
• Children are encouraged to make requests for outings like evening beach walks which further strengthen their relationships with staff
• The home’s manager has a clear vision. She empowers staff and supports them to improve their skills
• Staff are unanimously positive about the support provided by the service leader, who provides regular supervision to the manager

Bright Star reopened in November 2021 after the County Council’s investment to completely rebuild the home with state-of-the-art facilities for children. The home received its first Outstanding rating the following year.

Helping children to fulfil their potential

Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The way children are supported, loved and nurtured at Bright Star really shines through in this outstanding report. That’s down to the incredible commitment by the home’s manager Sharlene and her wonderful team who do everything possible to help children excel.

“Staff at Bright Star, and in all of our homes, go above and beyond for our children to help them fulfil their potential and stay safe from vulnerable situations, two of the priorities in Our Council Plan.”