Children's Home run by Little Acorns London Beach Farm Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC023651 Inspection date 17/02/2011 Inspector John Chivers Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 01/09/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 Crispins, 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.

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About this inspection

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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

This service is a small children's home and independent residential school. Care and education is provided for up to seven children, aged between four and 15 years, but under the age of 10 on admission. The service operates from two classrooms and an outdoor classroom within the grounds of the home. The provider of this service also operates another children's home and other provision for adults.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a detached property in a rural setting, within reach of the shops and leisure facilities of the nearest town. It is set in eight acres of land, consisting of lawns, hard play area, play park, a vegetable garden and fields. The ground floor of the children's home has two lounges, a dining room and a kitchen with a dining area. Bedrooms are single occupancy. The home caters for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties who have a wide range of needs.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This was an interim inspection and unannounced. All of the key national minimum standards in the staying safe area were assessed. The one recommendation set at the last inspection was found to have been met in full and there are no actions or recommendations made as a result of this inspection. The home continues to be organised and managed to a high standard and affords an equally high standard of care to the resident young people. Seven young people were resident in the home at the time of the inspection; however, all were in school and on a school outing at the time and therefore did not take full part in the inspection process.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the Registered Manager was asked to ensure the locks on the toilet and bathroom doors are of the type required by standard 25.6 of the national minimum standards for children's homes. Door locks of the type required have been fitted which now affords greater privacy for the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of the importance of confidentiality and receive training in this area at induction. Young people are treated with dignity and staff fully respect their privacy. Confidential records are very securely held in locked cabinets within a locked office and a telephone is available for young people's use. There is ample space in the home where young people can receive appropriate visitors in private. Young people have lockable facilities where they can keep valued and treasured possessions. Toilet and bathing facilities afford very good privacy and staff attend to young people's personal care needs in a caring and sensitive way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people and their parents have unrestricted access to the home's complaints procedure and a whistle-blowing procedure is available to staff. Staff receive training in complaints during their induction and the procedure is reinforced periodically at team meetings. Complaints are clearly recorded and show action taken and an outcome; however, young people and staff raise no concerns about the service and no complaints have been received by Ofsted about the provision.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are well protected from harm and abuse by staff who are well trained in child protection and alert to safeguarding issues. Young people learn about their personal safety through the school's curriculum and aspects of this are reinforced by staff in direct work and discussion with young people. Young people are closely supervised at all times and staff have full regard for their protection and welfare. There are no current child protection or safeguarding issues at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Bullying is not an issue in the home and staff are always alert to such conduct. Any bullying is promptly identified and addressed by staff. The homely and friendly atmosphere at the home, coupled with the young people's close supervision arrangements, helps to reduce the likelihood of bullying becoming a significant issue. There is a detailed policy and procedure regarding missing persons; however, no unauthorised absences have occurred.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's behaviour is well managed by staff who are trained in behaviour management and who have a very good professional working relationships with the young people. Staff are pro-active at interacting and engaging with young people who respond to requests and instructions in a positive way. Young people benefit greatly from having comprehensive behaviour management plans, which are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Additional support is also available from external behaviour management specialists as appropriate. Sanctions and restraint are clearly recorded and are appropriate and necessary in the circumstances described in the records. Currently all of the young people are within the home's remit in terms of behaviour management and control.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home takes active steps to keep young people, staff and visitors safe from the inherent risks of fire and other potential safety hazards. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene are high throughout the home and no safety hazards are evident in the areas of the premises accessed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's recruitment and vetting procedures are robust and staff personnel files hold all required information including two written references and an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. The home's recruitment and vetting procedures help to ensure that only suitable staff are appointed to look after the young people.

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