Children's Home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Kent

SC023740 Unique reference number 24 March 2010 Inspection date Mark Blesky Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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12 November 2009 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 6 Inspection Report: SC023740

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home for three boys or girls. The house is in a residential street in a seaside town, close to shops, recreation areas and the beach, with ample public transport nearby. This home appears as a well presented large domestic dwelling.

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Summary

This interim, unannounced inspection looked at the progress the setting has made with the requirement made at the last inspection in November 2009. This related to improvements to the independency planning for young people. Staying safe and economic well-being were inspected on this occasion. Being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution and organisation were not looked at during this inspection. The provision has taken appropriate action to resolve the previous requirement. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The registered person was asked at the last inspection to improve the planning for young people's independence. Planning has been revised along with newly developed systems of assessment, planning and implementation of services. The registered person has taken appropriate steps to improve the quality of the home for young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Staff protect and promote the young people’s rights to privacy and their confidentiality. All young people's records are kept safely and any personal conversations with young people are carried out in private. This is supported by comprehensive and detailed guidance provided to staff and the young people's handbook reinforces rights and privacy. Staff knock on young people's bedroom doors before entering and are sensitive to more personal matters such as washing and dressing. Young people's needs for privacy and personal space are given high regard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

If a young person wishes to make a complaint or representation, staff use a robust complaints procedure to manage this. The young person is kept informed of the progress of any complaint and invited to comment at the conclusion of any matter. If the young person is dissatisfied with the conclusion further representation can be made. This complaints procedure is child focused and well organised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by well managed and comprehensive safeguarding procedures and practice. The home has a dedicated and very experienced child protection and safeguarding co-ordinator, who is supported by an on call and out of hours service. All staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training with regular refresher training. The home’s safeguarding procedures mirror the principles of the local authority. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC023740 Proactive anti-bulling procedures are in place and the home has a well-planned and dedicated policy on anti-bullying. Young people are supported by this procedure, which includes assessment and planning to avoid occurrences of suspected bullying. Staff maintain vigilance in this area and all cases of suspected bullying are overseen by the manager. Anti-bullying is a regular topic in the staff and young people's meetings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When young people are absent from the home they are supported by effective procedures which include the searching for, reporting and recovery of the young person. All young people are protected by dedicated risk assessments of absence and of becoming missing. Risk assessments detail the particular risk posed to the young person and the most appropriate action to be taken to minimise this. Practice is effective in this area and actions taken provide high levels of support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When young people behave in a less positive manner staff support young people to modify this towards more positive outcomes. A range of approved sanctions are available to staff, but more often staff will engage with the young person to avoid punitive responses. Young people benefit from this negotiated and co-operative support and enduring poor behaviour is minimal in this home. Behaviour management recording is detailed and comprehensive.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire risk assessment and health and safety planning is well managed. Young people and staff are protected by regular fire drills and an effective regime of care is maintained. Risk assessment is carried out throughout the building and provisions and actions are addressed in all areas and environments that pose additional or inherent risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The vetting of staff is effectively managed by robust recruitment and employment procedures. The recruitment planning includes an established and experienced panel and all reference and statutory checks are rigorously maintained. All visitors to the home must identify themselves and sign in and no visitor is allowed to have unsupervised access to the young people or the building.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people preparing to move into independent living or moving on from the home are supported by preparation planning. To ensure young people have the necessary skills to manage independence, staff carry out detailed assessment of their current skills. With the use of a comprehensive skills assessment programme, the staff support young people to achieve the necessary goals for independent living. A plan is formed to look at areas of strength and areas where further development is needed. Young people benefit from this support and practical guidance.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home provides well for all the young people accommodated and all young people are able to choose the decoration of their room and personal items. Young people are encouraged to chose their own clothes and express their diversity and individuality. The home is very well 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC023740 maintained and staff and the young people work hard to maintain this. Decoration is similar to a family home and damage to the home is uncommon. The furnishing and fixtures are of a high quality and repairs are carried out expeditiously. This is a very pleasantly presented home.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC023740

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