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

Unique reference number SC023746 Inspection date 01/03/2011 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 05/10/2010 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 is a children's home for three boys aged between 12 and under 18 years. It is a detached house in a residential area in a seaside town. There are local parks and the beach is nearby. Local transport is within walking distance and community resources and activities are within easy reach. There are currently three young people in the home, one young person was present but declined a conversation.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the outcome area of staying safe and the progress the setting has made with the recommendations made at the last inspection in October 2010. These related to improvements to existing risk assessments and complaints recording. Improvements were needed relating to educational planning and the homes guidance. Improvements were also recommended to ensure that increased numbers of trained staff members were provided by the home. The provision has taken appropriate action to resolve the previous recommendations.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in October 2010, a number of recommendations were made. The registered person was asked to improve risk assessments and the recording of complaints. The registered person was also asked to improve planning for young people's education and review a number of the homes guidance procedures for staff. The registered person was asked to ensure that a minimum of 80% of staff are trained to National Vocational Qualification at level 3 or equivalent.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Risk assessments have been specifically reviewed and updated regarding young people's contact and the expectations of the staff when they accompany supervised contact. The complaints procedures have been improved and demonstrate robust systems of recording and process. The arrangements for young people’s education have been improved and each young person has a detailed plan. Review has taken place regarding procedures and guidance for staff and periodic review will continue. Current training programmes aim to meet the national minimum standards and ensure that all staff are sufficiently trained to provide appropriate care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff in the home respect young people's rights to privacy and confidentiality. Procedures are in place in the home promoting the rights of the young people and all staff receive guidance in this area. If young people are dissatisfied, they are supported to make representations or more formal complaints. All complaints are treated seriously and young people are kept informed of all elements of the complaint until resolution.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Comprehensive and detailed safeguarding and child protection procedures are well maintained in the home and the home has an identified, dedicated, safeguarding co- ordinator All staff undertake mandatory training in this important area of practice and regular refresher training and guidance is provided to all staff members. Safeguarding systems are robust and guidance for staff mirrors the principles of the local authority’s procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Anti-bullying procedures are in place in the home and this enables staff to be aware of episodes of suspected bullying and aware of the signs and symptoms of this type of behaviour. Young people receive support to minimise any bullying events. Systems reflect both preventative and proactive measures as well as responsive measures to support young people effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When young people are missing or absent without agreement, staff deploy effective procedures to search, report and return the young person to the home. All young people engage in risk assessments of becoming missing and each young person is provided with an individual profile to manage risk and support in the event of absence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management systems and practice in the home encourage self-control and young people to act responsibly. Systems of behaviour management are supportive and very effective and behaviour is generally improved and sustained as a result. When young people act negatively in a manner that is more serious or concerning, staff may use a range of approved sanctions to encourage change. The acting manager oversees all sanctions and staff regularly discuss the effectiveness of care and control in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risk assessments are undertaken on a range of activities within the home. Each young person has a comprehensive risk assessment for both general day-to-day risks but also more individual and specific risks related to known and historic behaviour. Risk assessments are very detailed and well-written and provide insightful and very useful considerations of behaviour and support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The fire safety and health safety practices in the home are well-managed and regularly reviewed. All staff undertake mandatory training in this area and all young people are regularly involved in drills and fire evacuation practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff in the home are recruited through an established recruitment and employment panel and all statutory checks and reference checks are undertaken. All visitors to the home are carefully monitored and no visitor is permitted to have unsupervised access to the young people or home.

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