Children's Home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd in Kent

Unique reference number SC416915 Inspection date 27/02/2013 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The children’s home is owned by a private company and accommodates up to seven young people. It is one of three children’s homes owned by the company. The home offers a care and support for young people that have a range of behavioural and emotional 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the full inspection in August 2012 the home's overall effectiveness was judged as good. The young people's guide has now been updated and contains details of how to contact the Independent Reviewing Officer, the Children’s Rights Director and Ofsted. This provides young people with sufficient contact details should they wish to raise a complaint or make a representation. Young people's confidence in their carers, and in the care that they receive, is enhanced by carers that make explicit, helplines and external support that is available, should they wish to raise concerns.

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Progress

The fire officer has now attended the home and a new fire plan has been produced. The plan is easy to understand and details fire equipment and fire access points clearly. Young people, staff and visitors are kept safer by clear and well managed fire safety planning.

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Progress

Physical intervention recording documents have been reviewed and now include details of the staff and young person's views of the event. Consequently, young people and staff are better protected by clear and accurate recording of such events. It is now mandatory practice that young people are spoken to by senior staff, which further enhances systems and safeguards. This results in young people being provided with a clear mechanism to speak out. Young people now have better opportunities to raise a complaint or concerns about how their behaviour has been managed.

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Progress

Staff files have now been updated and current records are well managed, detailing past employment and follow safe recruitment practices. Young people's safety is better maintained with strict and robust recruitment and employment practices.

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Progress

All care plans have been updated and the reviewed plans make explicit young people's more individualised and diverse needs. These care plans present a picture of the young person as an individual with wishes and choices different to others. This planning promotes young people's individual preferences and views and develops the plan around them. Young people benefit from being supported by plans that demonstrate a clear commitment to individual care based on the young people's needs and choices.

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Progress

The home has been refurbished and many new items have been purchased. New carpets and floor coverings are now in place and a strict maintenance programme is in place. The home is kept clean and tidy and young people's bedrooms are monitored regularly. This is a vast improvement from the last inspection visit. Young people are proud of their home and damage has been minimised in most areas. Young people have also supported the recent refurbishment with murals and pictures of their own design. Young people say that they feel valued and respected in a home that maintains high standards of care and maintenance.

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Progress

Health files have not been updated fully and some young people's health histories and routine treatments such as immunisations and previous health interventions are not well evidenced. Young people are less supported in maintaining their health when assessment and planning of their healthcare needs is incomplete.

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Progress

Supporting young people to learn and develop practical skills as they move towards adulthood has also not been fully developed. Some support is in place, but this is not formally planned or assessed. Poor planning to support the development of life skills and skills for independence does not help young people gain confidence in this area and be able to make informed decisions about their future.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has made improvements to the internal monitoring systems and now includes an action plan and details of the action taken to address any shortfall. This provides the manager and staff with practice oversight and regular monitoring of the home. Young people benefit from a home that is well managed and has independent monitoring to ensure standards are met and maintained. The maintenance of the home is directly attributable to this process and young people have benefitted from the improvements.

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Progress

Updated staff guidance now provides each and every staff member with clear guidance and support. This is further enhanced by more regular training provided to staff in staff meetings. Meeting are more focused and include education and guidance as standing agendas. Young people are better looked after by staff that are competent and knowledgeable of their practice, their roles and the expectations of the manager.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has taken on additional roles in an area manager capacity which has impacted on his time and attention in managing this home. The manager is currently not in the home each day and this has impacted on his effective leadership of staff and the operation of the home. It is acknowledged that the manager and staff are committed to making the improvements in the quality of care identified.

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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 the registered person shall promote and protect the physical, emotional and mental health of the children accommodated in a children's home. (Regulation 20.1) 30/04/2013

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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 young people are supported to develop practical skills, which helps them to prepare for and supports them into adulthood, so that they can reach their potential and achieve economic well-being (NMS 12.1)  ensure that he registered manager exercises effective leadership of the home’s staff and operation, such that the home is organised, managed and staffed in a manner that delivers sound, good quality care that meets the individual needs of each child at the home. (NMS 14.5)

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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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