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

Unique reference number SC023746 Inspection date 26/03/2013 Inspector Wendy Anderson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 06/11/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home for three young people. It is operated by a private organisation. The home provides a service to children with a wide range of emotional, behavioural or educational needs, clearly explained in its Statement of Purpose.

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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 November 2012, the overall quality rating of this service was judged as outstanding. At this inspection one requirement and one recommendation for improvement were made. The home has now met both the requirement and recommendation.

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Progress

Personal education plans are now in place for all those young people who require them. These plans cover all the required areas; ensure young people access the education provision they need; and are supported in this by the home’s staff. Education is actively promoted by the team and young people are supported to reach their full educational potential. At this inspection a young person was receiving home tuition from staff while on suspension from school. Maintaining the educational routine is seen as important by the manager as part of their reintegration back into school.

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Progress

The recording of young people’s sanctions and rewards has improved since the last inspection. There have only been three sanctions since the last inspection and the records provide clear evidence of what led to the sanction, what the sanction is, how long it will be in place for and the effectiveness of the sanction. This information enables the manager as part of their monitoring process to robustly assess the appropriateness of the sanction. The manager has also held discussions with the staff and the young people about sanctions. This was done to enable clear open communication on the topic and full involvement of the team and young people on the review of the effectiveness of sanctions.

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Progress

The home has not carried out any restraints of young people since 18November 2011. The management of the young people’s behaviours is done through the excellent knowledge the staff team have of the young people they care for. This includes detailed knowledge of the individual young people’s triggers and strategies to address poor behaviour. This is in marked contrast where young people are being regularly restrained at their school. Young people said that ‘staff take time to explain things to us so we know where we stand and what is expected of us.’

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Progress

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints from young people, parents or professionals. There has been three minor issues raised by a neighbour but these have been very quickly addressed to the satisfaction of everyone involved.

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Progress

Young people are very positive about the home and the staff who care for them. A young person said the staff have been ‘fantastic’ and could not have done more for them. This young person said they had experienced other homes and this was ‘one of the best’. Young people feel the staff listen to them, look after them well and keep them safe. They also felt the staff team arranged good activities for them. One young person was very pleased with a local youth group they attend. They said ‘if there is something you want to do the staff will do their best to sort it out for you.’

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Progress

Young people continue to receive care from a stable well-trained, committed staff team. The manager is developing the staff team by giving some more responsibility and their individual skills. Since the last inspection staff have received training on self-harm, safeguarding, equality and diversity. Clear training plans not only cover the mandatory training, but also any area of need or interest identified during the staff appraisal process.

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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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