Children's Home run by J & R Care Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC065684 Inspection date 05/03/2013 Inspector Janet Hunnam Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is privately run and provides care and accommodation for no more than five children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Education is provided in an adjacent building.

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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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in October 2012, the home was judged as adequate for overall effectiveness. Four requirements and four recommendations were made. The requirements have been met and two of the recommendations.

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Progress

The recruitment process is now more robust and new staff do not commence work at the home until all checks are completed to ensure suitable people are employed to work with young people. The Statement of Purpose does include all the required matters and sets out the home’s overall ethos in promoting young people’s safety and welfare. Comprehensive records of measures of control, restraint and discipline are held electronically and monitored by the Registered Manager; ensuring behaviour management practice is effective and meets young people’s individual needs. A system is in place for notifying the appropriate persons of significant events and the Registered Manager is closely monitoring events to ensure proper notifications.

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Progress

New staff are now completing the Children’s Workforce Development Council’s induction programme. Supervision of staff is now occurring more regularly but not all staff are receiving individual supervision monthly in line with the home’s policy and this recommendation remains. Managers at the home have plans for the development of the home but no written development plan is in place. This recommendation remains.

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Progress

Quality assurance arrangements continue to include detailed and comprehensive reports following monthly visits resulting in action plans to improve the quality of care for young people. Experienced managers monitor practices within the home on a daily basis ensuring records are accurate and of the standard required.

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Progress

The quality of care at the home is good. Daily meetings with staff and young people provide opportunities for young people to express their views and discuss issues on day-to-day matters. Positive and open relationships exist between young people and staff.

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Progress

Young people continue to make significant progress with their education and attendance at school is excellent for all young people. Close liaison between the home and the school ensures young people receive the support they need. Staff identify young people’s specific requirements and vulnerabilities and they have close, targeted support to address their complex emotional and psychological needs.

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Progress

The home has a clear focus on maintaining and improving the quality of care. Managers are developing practice within the home with an emphasis on training, support and guidance to provide staff with appropriate skills to work therapeutically with young people.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the kitchen has been refurbished and there is an on-going maintenance programme to ensure the home provides a comfortable environment for young people.

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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 staff are provided with regular supervision by appropriately qualified and experienced staff (NMS 19.4)  ensure there is a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home. (NMS 15.2)

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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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