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

Unique reference number SC023740 Inspection date 12/09/2012 Inspector Clare Davies Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/02/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is run by a private company that operates several other homes in the locality. The company has educational provision to support the children and young people in their care.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements Adequate : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people receive outstanding levels of care and support from a dedicated staff team. The enthusiasm and commitment of the staff contribute to this outstanding provision.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from this home where there are strong links to support educational and health needs. This involves collaborative working with other agencies to ensure that young people receive the most appropriate services. Personalised care planning identifies clear strategies of support in meeting some complex needs. The quality of care is particularly effective as it supports young people as individuals and ensures all are looked after in a safe, healthy and caring environment. Feeling secure in this placement is evident through the lack of incidents of risk taking behaviours. Young people have made significant progress in their personal development.

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Overall effectiveness

Supportive and warm relationships exist between young people and the staff team. The nurturing that young people receive promotes their self-esteem. This enables them to grow in confidence and recognise that they are valued and cared for. This environment leads young people to feel safe and able to trust those who care for them.

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Overall effectiveness

There is a strong commitment to the inclusion of young people. They are involved with decision making about their placements and future plans in addition to day-to- day events and activities. Young people feel listened to and the strength of their relationships with the manager and the staff enable them to readily approach them.

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Overall effectiveness

This is an exceptionally well managed home governed by an organisation that seeks continual improvement, learning from monitoring and review of practices. Young people benefit from staff that are trained and supported to deliver high quality care.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people receive outstanding care and support that enables them to develop emotionally and socially within their peer group and in their relationships with adults.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are supported in making sense of their lives and why they are living at this children's home. Key workers support them in understanding their family and cultural background with life story work and photographs, and sometimes special therapeutic intervention is arranged.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from living in a safe environment where they are nurtured by a core staff team of only six adults. This consistent group of carers provide structure and boundaries enabling young people to make exceptional progress in their personal development. Young people have complex needs and associated learning disabilities. The manager and staff team are dedicated to maximise the opportunities for the young people to lead to successful outcomes.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff and placing social workers can readily identify areas of significant progress for young people. Young people have developed their skills in communication, improved social skills and attendance in education. There is a reduction in aggressive behaviour and cessation of anti-social behaviour in the community. Consequently, young people have a positive view of themselves and are happy with this home being motivated to engage with what it can offer.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people not only have their health needs met but they are supported in health education and learning to take responsibility for a healthy lifestyle. Young people are supported in attending routine appointments at local health services and specialist appointments when required. Staff are trained in the safe handling of medication and first aid skills; this ensures young people receive prompt and appropriate medical support. Excellent records ensure that significant information is available on the medical history of each young person and to identify any appointments that may be required. Such comprehensive records will support young people when they leave this home and into their adult life.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from a strong emphasis on education. For some young people who have previously dis-engaged with their learning, they have responded exceptionally well to the imaginative approach and support provided to attend school, college or an alternative provision. Young people enjoy the wide range of creative learning opportunities provided such as horticulture, farming and woodwork. The provider offers education at a school nearby, or through private tuition, this ensures that young people can access education promptly. Homework, use of the library and access to the internet support young people in their learning and promote reading as an enjoyable activity.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make a positive contribution to their community and make use of local amenities. For example, some young people have taken part in cleaning up the beach, clearing snow for elderly neighbours and belonging to sports clubs. It has become an annual event to complete a charity cycle ride with most completing the longest distance of 55 miles. Young people say that they like all the activities and recently enjoyed a summer holiday.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Staff recognise the importance of keeping in touch with family, friends and significant people. Young people are supported with visits and telephone contact in accordance with their placement plan. Social workers report that the staff are very committed to ensuring contact arrangements are made in the best interests of the young people. Parents report how they are welcomed into the home and are very satisfied with the care provided to their child.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people receive substantial support to prepare them for a successful transition into their young adult life. An extensive programme of life skills adapted to meet individual needs enables young people to take some responsibility and informed decisions. For example, young people have benefitted from opening a bank account, shopping, budgeting, using public transport and arranging routine health appointments.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Young people enjoy excellent relationships with staff and generally get on with each other. Staff are ambitious for young people and demonstrate warmth and pride when talking about young people's achievements. In turn, young people speak highly of this home and the support and guidance from the staff team. Parents and social workers express very high levels of satisfaction about the quality of care provided.

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Quality of care

Staff encourage young people to take responsibility for their behaviour and decisions, supporting them when they make poor choices. The strength of relationships between staff and young people contribute to a safe environment where they can express themselves, knowing they will be helped and comforted if upset. There is a strong emphasis on inclusion. Young people are routinely involved in contributing to their personal records, day-to-day decisions about meals and activities and wider discussions about the development of the home such as new furniture or redecoration.

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Quality of care

There are formal meetings for young people within the house and one young person is invited to attend a wider forum to represent the group whilst meeting with young people from other homes managed by the organisation. Such proactive meetings provide an opportunity for young people in residential care to meet with an independent chairperson and raise any issues. This values the views and opinions of young people and ensures that they have a voice. Young people are aware of the complaints procedure; the lack of any formal complaints is attributed to the ease with which the young people can talk with the staff team and manager.

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Quality of care

Young people gain significant benefit from regular individual key working sessions. This time together focuses on current issues as well as targets and support needs as outlined in their highly personalised care plans. The quality of these plans is consistently high and thorough covering all aspects of young people's development.

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Quality of care

The manager and staff team openly work with other agencies, building effective partnerships in relation to health, education, local authorities and the police. This ensures that collaborative working benefits the young people through meeting their needs.

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Quality of care

Staff place the well-being of young people at the centre of their practice and effectively challenge any barriers to their full participation. Enrolment in further education has been successfully obtained through staff advocating for young people, ensuring that they rightfully have the opportunity to access this resource. Young people flourish because the staff are ambitious to ensure that young people succeed. Staff often support young people during their education; this promotes continuity of care and reassures the young people that they are with adults who know them well. Achievements are celebrated at every opportunity with the display of certificates and attendance at award ceremonies.

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Quality of care

Outside of the educational day, there is a wealth of learning opportunities and activities to stimulate young people's interests. Young people enjoy physical exercise and cycle regularly. Being members of local sports clubs enable young people to mix with their peers outside of the residential group. There are many activities associated with living so near to the coast; young people enjoy crabbing, swimming and playing on the beach. Within the house there is a games room where young people enjoy using a computer, games consoles and a pool table.

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Quality of care

The home is reasonably presented and maintained. It provides a comfortable environment where young people feel secure. Bedrooms are personalised with pictures and posters and young people can choose the colours for redecoration. There is a plan of refurbishment to start imminently; this will enhance the landings and stairwells. Young people benefit from the new kitchen that has been in use for several months. This now provides an improved practical space for preparing and cooking meals. In addition it enhances the communal areas within the home, offering a social space where young people can sit and chat around a dining table.

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Quality of care

Professionals working with young people living in this home are extremely satisfied with the quality of care provided. One social worker emphasised that 'staff provide consistency; they are really attentive and know the young person well.’ Another described how 'young people feel safe and secure' and stated that 'communication is brilliant.’

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is outstanding at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The structure and boundaries consistently provided enable young people to feel safe at this home. The strength of the relationships between young people with the staff team underpins this safe environment. Staff receive training in safeguarding matters; this knowledge is further supported by clear policies and procedures. Consequently, staff have a robust understanding of the action to take should they have any concerns about a young person's safety or well-being.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Incidents of young people going missing from the home are rare because they feel safe and cared for. When this occurs, staff actively look for them as they recognise their vulnerabilities alone within the community. There are clear and up-to-date protocols with the police and the placing authorities. This ensures that appropriate action is taken to ensure their safe return. Young people know that staff are concerned for their safety and will support them through difficulties without judgement; this also contributes to young people feeling secure in their placement. Interventions are creative, thoughtful and underpinned by clear risk assessment. Young people benefit from such considerable support as indicated through their behaviour as they are not engaging in damaging, risk taking activities.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Incidents of bullying behaviour are rare. A young person stated, 'I have never been bullied at this home.’ High levels of supervision and sound policies promote an environment where young people do not feel at risk of being bullied. Staff communicate clear expectations regarding boundaries that help young people to begin to understand consequences of their behaviour.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Individual behaviour management plans ensure that staff respond consistently according to each young person's needs; this contributes to young people feeling secure in their placement. The training staff receive is based on redirection and purposeful intervention to calm a situation quickly. A social worker commented how well the staff team are able to deflect challenging behaviour from escalating. This reduces the number of incidents and provides a better outcome for young people. Restraint is only used when felt really necessary to ensure safety; there have been a few incidents of restraint since the last inspection.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are aware of expectations of their behaviour without a written list of rules. Young people benefit from the support of staff in managing their behaviour. Where there are restrictions young people report that they are fair. Sanctions may involve missing out on an activity or going to their bedroom early. These measures effectively inform young people that their behaviour is not acceptable, young people are encouraged to record their views about such sanctions and discuss with staff alternative ways to respond.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Records relating to behaviour are regularly reviewed to monitor progress and consider any adaptations required. This ensures that the most effective support is being provided. In collaboration with behaviour management plans there are risk assessments for each young person. These documents ensure that risks are identified and reduced without denying young people the opportunities to take measured risks as part of their growth and development.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There are robust and thorough vetting procedures for the employment of new staff. This ensures that there are adequate safeguards for the protection of vulnerable young people. Matters of health and safety, and fire detection and prevention are given serious attention. This is underpinned by policies, procedures and training that alert staff to their roles and levels of responsibility. As a result, young people benefit from a safe environment and this has a positive impact upon their welfare. The requirements of health and safety legislation are met without compromising the comfortable homely appearance.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are outstanding .

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Leadership and management

Young people benefit from living in a home that is exceptionally well managed. The one recommendation made at the previous inspection regarding the revision of the children and young person's guide has been addressed satisfactorily.

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Leadership and management

The home is managed and organised in a manner that delivers and maintains an outstanding level of care. The manager provides effective leadership and has the expertise, skills and knowledge to manage this residential provision. Young people receive high quality care from a stable, experienced and skilled staff team who are committed to achieving good outcomes. Staff report greater consistency since the manager returned to this home in a full time role. The manager is skilled in managing the service while being available to young people and able to spend time with them. The dedication and commitment to meeting the needs of young people is very evident from the manager and staff members' practice. This provides a secure placement for young people and an enjoyable rewarding place to work.

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Leadership and management

The manager has an informed evaluation of the strengths and areas for development, learning from monitoring and inspection activities. The development plan incorporates such areas for development, many of which have been achieved to date. The manager recognises the qualities that this home has to offer and strives to ensure they are maintained alongside further developments. This practice provides stability and security for young people in their placements. The manager completes monthly monitoring reports on the quality of care and an independent person undertakes additional monitoring on behalf of the organisation. This ensures that the policies and procedures are adhered to and that the care delivered is of a high standard.

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Leadership and management

Staff receive regular supervision and annual performance reviews. This ensures that they are monitored in their work and supported to identify any areas for development. Professional development is encouraged and the training department within the organisation provide a regular programme of events. Staff have access to clear policies and procedures to underpin their practice. Record keeping is good with reports regularly shared with social workers. Young people actively contribute to their records which help them to understand past experiences and plans for the future. Records are clear, up-to-date and stored securely. They evidence how this home works openly with other agencies to ensure that best practice is followed.

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Leadership and management

Significant events are reported to Ofsted and the relevant agencies though this has not been necessary since April 2011. This is indicative of the stability that this home can provide for young people. Social workers and other professionals report good working relationships with the staff and management of this home where communication is regular and reliable.

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Leadership and management

The home is well resourced to ensure that young people have good staffing ratios, access to purposeful activities and leisure interests. Young people, their relatives and placing authorities are clear about the aims and objectives of the home and what service it provides.

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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 main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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