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

Unique reference number SC023743 Inspection date 03/03/2011 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Random

p.1

Date of last inspection 16/11/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Brief description of the service

This is a children's home which can provide accommodation and care for three young people aged between 11 and 17 years. It is situated in a residential area close to a seaside town. There is a shopping parade close by and there is easy access to other local amenities. There are good rail and bus links with towns, schools and colleges.

p.4

Summary

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

p.4

Summary

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the outcome area of staying safe and the progress the setting has made with the requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection in November 2010.

p.4

Summary

These related to improvements in the fire safety planning, the upkeep of the home and individualised support for the young people.

p.4

Summary

Improvements were also recommended to ensure that increased numbers of staff members were trained to National Vocational Qualification at level 3 or equivalent. The provision has taken appropriate action to resolve the previous requirement and recommendations. Three young people are in the home and one young person spoke to the inspector.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection of November 2010, one requirement and three recommendations were made.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to ensure that adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment were maintained. Fire safety has been reviewed and an updated fire plan is in place along with appropriate equipment checks and fire evacuation drills.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendations were made and the manager was asked to ensure the home was kept clean and that individualised support was evidenced for each young person. The manager was also asked to ensure that 80% of staff were qualified to National Vocational Qualification at level 3 or equivalent.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Cleaning schedules have been reviewed and staff are now also responsible for specific duties to maintain the home's appearance. Individualised support is in place for each young person and generally maintained through the key working process. The acting manager oversees all key working and support for the young people is regularly discussed within staff meetings. Training schedules are in place and current training strives to ensure staff are formally trained in accordance with the national minimum standards.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff in the home are aware of the need to be sensitive to young people's confidential and personal information. Young people are supported by staff that understand their needs and demonstrate respect and courtesy towards them. Staff will only enter young people’s bedrooms following invitation and staff show particular sensitivity around times of dressing and washing.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There have been no complaints since the last inspection, but robust systems continue to be in place and all staff receive training on supporting young people to make representations. It was also noted that the young people are engaged in discussions about how to complain and express dissatisfaction.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Well managed safeguarding procedures protect young people from abuse. The home ensures that staff attend mandatory safeguarding training and regular refresher training is maintained. The home has developed detailed and comprehensive safeguarding procedures and provides a dedicated safeguarding co-ordinator. All safeguarding matters are responded to effectively and the home's guidance follows the principles of the guidance from the local authority.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected from intimidation by an ant-bullying procedure in the home. Bullying is specifically addressed separately to other incidents within the home. This allows young people the greatest opportunity to be supported and effective and dynamic ant-bullying risk assessments are maintained.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Unauthorised absences are uncommon in the home and the staff are all aware of the procedure should a young person go missing. Support for young people is in place to ensure that any young person that is missing is returned promptly and safely to the home.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are encouraged to behave positively and staff seek to encourage young people to take responsibility for themselves. Staff engage the young people and promote agreement of appropriate behaviour. This is successful and results in a very settled household. If young people act negatively or in a more serious manner, the home has a range of approved sanctions to address this. Young people benefit from this effective behaviour management system. The home maintains robust health and safety and fire safety procedures and regularly reviews these. The acting manager oversees all elements of safety and regular risk assessments are carried out. Young people are supported by both situational and behavioural risk assessments, which provide the greatest opportunity to consider risk within an appropriate context.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All staff in the home are appropriately screened for suitability. Reference checks and statutory checks are carried out, prior to any new staff members working unsupervised in the home. All staff are recruited through an established and experienced employment panel. All visitors to the home must identify themselves and no visitor is permitted to have unrestricted access to the young people or the home. All visitors are appropriately recoded within the home's documents.

p.6