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

Unique reference number SC023651 Inspection date 05/03/2012 Inspector Lucy Ansell Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This children's home provides care for up to eight children, aged between four and under 15 years. The home only accept admissions under the age of 10 years. The home caters for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties who have a wide range of needs which can be best met in a therapeutic style community. The home's independent school operates from two classrooms and an outdoor classroom within the grounds. The provider of this service also operates another children's home and other provision for adults with mental health and learning difficulties.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

The children’s home was judged as good at the full inspection in November 2011, and three requirements and five recommendations for improvement were made. In the three months since my last visit the three requirements have been fully met and good progress has been made to ensure the five recommendations are on the way to being fully met.

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Progress

The provider was asked to establish and maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001 at appropriate intervals by completing Regulation 34 and 33 reports. The manager has now reviewed the format of both of these reports so the service can fully monitor and report on all the positive outcomes achieved by the home. This benefits the children because there is more rigorous monitoring of all incidents, better recording of all the outcomes achieved and by ensuring the provider is enhancing overall all aspects of the service that it is provided.

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Progress

The physical restraint records now fully comply with the regulations. The new printed log books are individual to each child and fully cover all the required elements. Staff ensure the details of incidents are comprehensive recorded in the log books to protect the welfare and safety of the young people.

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Progress

Children now benefit from a staff team that receives regular supervision and up-to- date appraisals of their skills. Three of the recommendations for improvement looked at ensuring the staff team posses the required training commensurate with their roles and responsibilities within the home. This included safer recruitment for managers and personnel staff, all staff having the required diploma in childcare, and staff receiving child protection training from the local authority. The training for the coming year is in the process of being booked and all staff will undertake the required training so they have the necessary skills to meet the needs of the young people. A recommendation was made to ensure children receive prompt feedback on any concerns or complaints raised and to ensure the home’s recordings are comprehensive and robust about progress made. While the children have not made any complaints since the last inspection, the home has improved the monitoring form

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Progress

to includes more information; with a section on progress and feedback to child.

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Progress

The home has produced a three year continuous development plan, that is constantly improving and changing as a working document. The staff and young people's ideas were included in the development plan of the service ensuring full consultation and inclusion.

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Progress

Overall the service provides a consistent approach from the management and staff team which ensures a positive and stable environment for the young people. The young people are extremely well managed and supported which helps them to achieve positive outcomes. Young people benefit from an experienced, stable staff team who have an enthusiasm, drive and a real commitment to their responsibilities to the young people. The young people appeared settled and happy, and enjoy positive relationships with their key workers and care givers and results in them enjoying living in their home.

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