Children's Home run by Channels and Choices Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC408584 Inspection date 26/03/2012 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/10/2011 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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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

The home is registered to provide care to up the three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. Education in line with the national curriculum is available on site although an external school is currently under development. The home is run by a partnership company.

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Progress

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

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in October 2011, the overall effectiveness rating was judged to be good.

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Progress

Three requirements and six recommendations were made at the last inspection. All requirements and recommendations have been addressed. Two new requirements have made as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

At the last inspection the registered manager was asked to maintain in the home a record in the form of a register showing in respect of each child accommodated in a children's home all the particulars listed in schedule 4 (1). The registered manager maintains and keeps this record in the home. This record contains all details of the young people in accordance with schedule 4 (1)

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Progress

A requirement was also made at the last inspection for the manager to ensure that satisfactory information is available in the recruitment and interviewing of new applicants. The manager has reviewed the employment, recruitment and interviewing procedures for all new applicants. New procedures ensure that information, checks and interviewing practices are appropriately maintained in accordance with the Children's Homes Regulations 2001/2011. All staff files have been revisited to ensure that all necessary information is provided. Where shortfalls were identified, staff have been interviewed and accounted for any additional information. Shortfalls were relatively minor and promptly addressed by the manager.

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Progress

A further requirement was made that procedures be in place to interview, with their consent and in private, the young people's parents and other relatives as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. The manager has reviewed the previous practices and has now established an improved system. Young people's families and other relatives are now consulted where appropriate and asked to comment on the home, the care and the progress of the young person. Where opportunities present, interviews with families may take place within the home. In addition, the manager has designed surveys and questionnaires to send to family and relatives to canvass opinions and views. Where appropriate, comments will be used to influence care practices and decisions within the home.

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Progress

A recommendation was made for young people to have access to independent advice and support from adults who they can contact directly and in private, in particular that they have access to a telephone without asking a member of staff. The manager confirmed that young people are able to contact an adult or other advice and support in private. The manager has a cordless telephone which is made available to you people for this purpose. Other than where a restriction has been placed by a court or by the placing authority in an emergency, all young people are permitted to have reasonable and appropriate contact. In addition writing materials are also available for young people to use to write to family and friends.

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Progress

A recommendation was made for the manager to ensure that a review of incidents of challenging behaviour was carried out and to examine the trends or issues emerging from this. A system has been developed following the last inspection which uses data and documented evidence of the activity in the home. This may include incidents of negative behaviour, going missing, or physical intervention. This data is then used to look for trends and patterns of behaviour to be addressed. This information is then reviewed by the manager and staff and a programme of actions is developed to address and attempt to reduce undesirable behaviour. This approach has been successful and reduced incidents and other negative behaviour.

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Progress

A recommendation was made for the manager to ensure that equality and diversity issues are positively addressed in care planning. Placement plans have been updated to reflect a greater emphasis on promoting individuality and addressing the more diverse needs and views of young people. This has encouraged staff to focus more clearly and gain greater insights into the young people. Key working practices have also been developed to better identify these issues and the home has introduced themed days and evenings. Although food and meals are used to promote interest and understanding in the young people and alternative cultures, discussion is also used to think about issues such as gender, culture and equality. These days provide good opportunities for young people to learn about themselves and others and gain greater understanding of the world. Two recommendations were made relating to staff recruitment. One was related to gaps in the new applicant’s employment

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Progress

records and the other related to the interview process and creating and maintaining an effective system for reaching decisions for subsequent employment.

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Progress

The manager has addressed these matters and as detailed above in the requirements section. The reviewed and improved system has ensured that any gaps in employment are accounted for and staff members now sign to confirm the reasons for any gaps. Interviewing and recruitment practices now ensure that a summary of strengths and weaknesses is recorded. Along with a series of interviewing techniques and assessments, an effective system for reaching decisions is established in accordance with the national minimum standards. A recommendation was made for the manager to include in the children's guide information as to how a child can contact the Children's Rights Director. This has now been included in the newly reviewed young people's guide. All young people have been given an updated copy of this guide.

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Progress

It was noted that all young people's bedroom doors are fitted with electronic monitoring devices. In addition the bedroom landing has passive infrared sensors for the surveillance of children and young people. Whilst the regulations permit the use of such measures in certain conditions, the Registered Manager must ensure that these conditions are satisfied. Currently the measures used do not meet the conditions in the Children's Homes Regulations 2001/2011, 22.1 (a and b). The manager confirmed that formal consent from placing authorities has not been established and the measures in place are not included in all young people's placement plans.

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Progress

The building was toured in the company of the manager and deputy manager and all fire doors were checked to the building plan. It was unclear which doors were fire doors. Most downstairs doors had no self-closures, one had a missing intumescent strip and one was wedged open. The fire risk assessment document does not identify the use of the doors, make clear where fire doors are fitted in the building or explain the absence of self-closures.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that electronic or mechanical monitoring devices for the surveillance of children are not used in a children's home, except for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and where the conditions under this regulation are met (Children's Homes Regulations 2001/2011, 22.1 (a-d) 30/04/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment Children's Homes Regulations 2001/2011 32.1(a) 30/04/2012

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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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