Children's Home run by Pilgrims Corner Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC390156 Inspection date 18/12/2012 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/04/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This private children's home provides for three 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 April 2012 the home was judged adequate overall. Three requirements and four recommendations were made and the home has addressed these.

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Progress

The Registered Manager was asked to maintain a procedure to be followed when any child accommodated in the home is absent without permission. The manager has now developed a system that details a clear procedure for staff to follow in the event of a young person going missing. Staff members have developed their practice and consistent and rigorous actions to safeguard and support any young person that goes missing are deployed. In addition the police have been consulted and the home has adopted protocols of searching and reporting that follow police guidance. The home’s procedures are compatible with and have regard to Runaway and Missing from Home and Care (RMFHC) protocols. Detailed risk assessment related to vulnerability further supports young people in clearly defining their more diverse needs should they go missing.

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Progress

The Registered Manager was also asked to ensure that records of physical intervention were complete. To ensure that they detail the methods used to avoid the intervention and a record of consultation with the young person and staff.

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Progress

Records have now been updated and young people have increased opportunities to voice any views. Young people are better supported and are less likely to be restrained with accurate records of the most effective de-escalation methods.

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Progress

The Registered Manager was asked to establish and maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the home. The system for quality assurance has been reviewed since the last inspection. Young people's views are gained through children's meetings, one to one key working and day to day discussions. Surveys are also used by the home to gather the views of social workers and parents. The reviewed system provides young people with the potential for greater influence in the operation of the home. Monitoring is comprehensive and frequently undertaken. However, while young people’s views are gathered, it is not always evidenced where the views, wishes and feelings of children and those significant to them, are taken into account in monitoring and development of the home under regulation 34 monitoring.

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Progress

Recommendations were made which included providing a detailed education plan demonstrating how the home promotes young people's education and a development plan for the operation of the home. Young people are supported by an individual education plan which details their broad and more diverse individual needs and promotes their learning. Young people benefit from a more consistent and planned approach to meeting their education needs. Young people demonstrate stability in their education and staff provide good support to promote and guide young people in their educational achievements.

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Progress

The home has an up-to-date development plan which details the aspirations of the company and services and facilities that are being planned in the home. Staff and young people influence this document and their views are used to shape the subsequent plan.

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Progress

The manager was asked to ensure that staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities. In addition the manager was asked to ensure children's house meetings were documented detailing their views and opinions. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities and the line management structure. Staff meetings and supervision has been used to ensure all staff are clear of these roles. Staff are better motivated with these clear lines of accountability.

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Progress

Young people's house meetings now detail the views and the opinions of the young people. Young people are more confident that staff are interested in their views and they are more engaged in the meeting. Minutes of these meetings focus more on young people's contributions and young people benefit from a greater contribution.

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Progress

The manager has addressed the requirements and recommendations with insight and the home has made good progress. Greater focus needs to be demonstrated in specifically how young people influence the operation of the home and their day-to- day care through the quality assurance regulation 34 practices. Young people are well supported and safeguarded in this home and behaviour is typically stable. Management and leadership are strong and staff and young people enjoy harmonious relationships.

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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. (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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