Children's Home run by Pilgrims Corner Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC390167 Inspection date 17/12/2012 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This private children's home provides for two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the full inspection in May 2012 the home was judged as good overall. Two requirements and two recommendations for improvement were made and the home has addressed these.

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Progress

The provider was asked to establish and sustain good quality assurance systems. Monitoring of the homes practices are now comprehensive and frequently undertaken, with trends and patterns highlighting areas for development. Young people and the staff are better supported by these more effective quality assurance practices which result in improvements to the home and the services it provides.

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Progress

A well-managed review highlighted the need to employ a new person to conduct visits in line with Regulation 33. The person appointed is experienced and knowledgeable about quality assurance systems and young people benefit from this improvement and development. These visits engage with the young people and staff more effectively.

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Progress

Following the previous inspection, the Registered Manager was asked to establish and maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the home under Regulation 34. A system for quality assurance under this Regulation has subsequently been implemented. While systems in the home, such as, children's meetings, one-to-one key-working sessions and day-to-day discussions, provide young people with greater opportunities to express their views about the operation of the home, it is not always evident how they are taken into account within the manger's monitoring of practice.

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Progress

In addition to the monitoring visits undertaken by the manager and external visitor, the home now uses surveys and questionnaires which are sent to the social workers and parents. The comments influence discussions and decisions regarding the home and the services that it provides.

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Progress

The Registered Manager was also asked to ensure that each child’s placement plan is monitored by a key worker within the home and to ensure children understand how their views have been taken into account. Key-working systems have been reviewed and each young person benefits from regular one-to-one sessions with their key worker. Young people are supported through this process to raise and discuss personal issues which enables them to take responsibility for their progress. Young people are more engaged in their care planning and more confident to influence decisions.

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Progress

A review of young people's meetings has taken place since the last inspection visit and young people now benefit from a changed format. Meetings are held regularly and place a greater focus on obtaining the views and opinions of young people about their care and the running of the home. As a result, young people engage better in the meetings and are more articulate in expressing their views and comments.

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Progress

Young people are well supported in the home and their welfare is safeguarded by a knowledgeable and committed staff team. The Registered Manager is well organised and a strong leader who continually strives to develop and improve the performance of the home.

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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

 ensure that the views, wishes and feelings of children and those significant to them are taken into account in monitoring staff and in developing the home, particularly within the Regulation 34 monitoring process. (NMS 1.7)

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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.

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