Children's home run by The Caldecott Foundation Limited in Ashford

Unique reference number SC037327 Inspection date 19/03/2012 Inspector Helen Lee Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/09/2011 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 service is a children’s home providing care and accommodation for up to eight children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is run by a registered charity.

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Progress

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

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Progress

The overall effectiveness of this service was judged good at the last full inspection in September 2011. At the last inspection one requirement was made and five recommendations were also made. The manager has submitted an application to register with Ofsted and the home employs a sufficient number of suitably qualified and experienced staff to meet the needs of the children. Since the last visit, all of the children are continuing to receive the support and guidance they need and are making good progress in their development.

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Progress

The home has appropriately addressed the one requirement made at the last inspection. This related to staff undertaking training to ensure they could meet the needs of the children, specifically in relation to training in equality and diversity which has been attended by the majority of the staff within the home.

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Progress

Five recommendations were also made at the last inspection, four of which have been met. Children now benefit from clearer consultation with regard to food and snack choices. Children also benefit from greater opportunities to plan, budget and cook for themselves which they appreciate. Care plans and placement plans are in place for each child and these are detailed, concise and highly individualised, to ensure children's particular and more diverse needs are considered. These now include enhanced information on a child's cultural background. The home has updated the children's guide which is available in two formats depending on the age of the child. It now includes information on how a child can contact their independent reviewing officer.

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Progress

One recommendation has been remade regarding the manager identifying any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Monitoring processes are being reviewed. New systems for Regulation 33 visits and new formats for the Regulation 34 reports are being trialled. Findings from such processes are feeding into the home's longer-term development plans. The full impact of revised systems is yet to be determined. However, managers demonstrate a clear understanding of how the service needs to develop and how it is working to make continued good progress in the best interests of the young people. One new recommendation was made at this visit due to the larder cupboard within the kitchen being locked, the home are asked to reconsider this practice to ensure that it does not contribute to an institutional feel.

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Progress

There is frequent one-to-one work with all of the children to seek their views and feedback, as well as children's meetings. Children are secure in the ability of staff to act on their views and wishes. Staff are effective in encouraging the children to express their individual and diverse needs. They support children to enable them to articulate appropriately. Placing authorities benefit from frequent communication. This enables them to efficiently monitor the quality of each placement. Staff in the home demonstrate a good understanding of safe working practice to meet individual children's needs. This robust safeguarding practice promotes the safety of children, and they feel safe within the home.

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Progress

The home provides consistent and well-planned care, which means that children’s outcomes are good. Their welfare is clearly enhanced by the sound relationships that exist between staff and children. There is a commitment to providing a high quality service. The manager consistently and effectively communicates high expectations to all the staff.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 consider the use of locks within the home, specifically in relation to the food larder to ensure that any practices to reduce risk do not lead to an institutional feel (NMS 10.3)  monitor regularly all records to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. (NMS 21.2)

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