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

Unique reference number SC023744 Inspection date 25/03/2011 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 03/11/2010 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 home is a three storey town house in a seaside resort. It provides care for up to three young people. There are local amenities with the beach, parks and town within walking distance. One young person was present during this inspection.

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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 progress the setting has made with the recommendations made at the last inspection in November 2010. These related to improvements to behaviour management, healthcare planning, and training for staff. This inspection also focused on the outcome area of staying safe and the steps taken to safeguard young people.

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Summary

The provision has taken appropriate action to resolve previous requirements and no actions or recommendations are made at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in November 2010, recommendations were made that asked the registered person to ensure that behaviour management records were clear and concise and that healthcare planning for all young people was effectively managed. The registered person was also asked to ensure that staff are trained to National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People in accordance with the national minimum standards.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Behaviour management and recording has been reviewed and detailed and well managed practices are in place. Each young person has a dedicated record of all elements of behaviour management.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Health files have also been reviewed and each young person has a comprehensive record of historic, current, and future health interventions.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Training is in place for all staff and current planning is in place to ensure staff are qualified in accordance with the national minimum standards.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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

Young people are treated with respect and their privacy is promoted by staff. Young people have a lock on their door and staff will not enter bedrooms unless they are invited. All records and information for young people is kept securely and staff do not discuss personal matters publically. A private telephone is available for young people to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Complaints are uncommon, however, if a young person wishes to make a complaint or representation this is supported by well managed procedures and practices. Details of all complaints are documented and young people are kept abreast of all actions taken to resolve the complaint. All staff receive training in managing complaints and staff effectively promote young people's rights to make representation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust safeguarding procedures are in place and all young people are aware of their rights to be protected and safeguarded. All staff receive both mandatory training and periodic refresher training to ensure that they understand their role and responsibilities. The home has an identified and dedicated safeguarding coordinator and all matters of this nature are over seen by them. Out of hours and on call services are available for matters that are more urgent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home maintains an anti-bullying procedure and any episodes of suspected bullying are addressed separately from the more general day-to-day disagreements. Any case of bullying or intimidation is specifically addressed and well managed. The procedures address the likelihood of bullying through careful risk assessment and effectively managed incidents through close supervision of the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

If young people are absent from the home without permission or missing the home deploys effective procedures to search, report and return the young person to the home. Absence from the home is uncommon and all young people are risk assessed to ensure vulnerability is understood and all necessary action is taken to reduce risks to young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

If young people behave less positively, staff will seek to engage with them and advise them of their conduct. Most day-to-day concerns for behaviour are promptly addressed through effective management of behaviour. Typically, young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour and systems in the home are generally non-punitive. When behaviour is more concerning and support proves ineffective, the staff can use a range of agreed sanctions. All sanctions are fairly applied and young people are consulted throughout this process.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is well managed, maintained and regular health and safety and fire safety monitoring is in place. The home conducts fire evacuation drills and all staff receive training in health and safety. The home is risk assessed and the young people's behaviour is considered in the light of any known risks within the home. Action is taken to reduce risk and maintain safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All visitors to the home are carefully supervised. All visitors must identify themselves and sign in and out of the building. No visitor is permitted to have unsupervised access to the young people or the home. All staff are recruited through established and formal recruitment panels. All statutory checks and reference checks are completed for staff. No staff member is able to work unsupervised with young people until all necessary checks are completed.

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