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

Unique reference number SC023744 Inspection date 25/03/2013 Inspector Wendy Anderson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/11/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately owned children's home that is registered for up to three children or young people.

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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 last full inspection in November 2012, the overall quality rating for this service was judged as good. There were two requirements and one recommendation made at this inspection, all of which are now met.

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Progress

The home has taken action to ensure that the temperature at which the refrigerator operates are now within the temperature range required by the Environmental Health Department. Comprehensive records are maintained and the records of these temperatures are now part of the manager’s weekly checks in the home. This system ensures that the young people’s safety is not compromised.

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Progress

Young people’s files now all contain copies of the reports from their reviews from the independent reviewing officer. The manager said that they are still having to request these frequently from the independent reviewing officer and the team are maintaining robust evidence of these requests.

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Progress

The staff team now all receive regular supervision at the frequency stated in the organisation’s supervision policy. Records of supervision sessions are clear and cover all the required areas. New staff to the home receive supervision weekly for the first three weeks of their appointment and then move to fortnightly sessions for the next six months. This coincides with the end of their probationary period when supervision becomes monthly. This process ensures that new staff receive robust support in developing their understanding of not only the young people placed but also of the expectations of the manager and the organisation.

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Progress

Young people continue to be supported by a consistent, well trained, child-centred staff team. At the core of this work is the team’s in-depth knowledge of the young people they work with, which ensures that young people receive the care they require.

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Progress

The organisation has reviewed and updated its risk assessment process. Risk assessments are now based on a traffic light system. This provides clear evidence of the work undertaken by the staff with the young people on the reduction of risks and risk taking behaviours. Once an identified risk has been rated ‘green’ for several months, then this will be removed from the next young person’s individual risk assessment. Young people are fully involved in this process, as are their social workers.

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Progress

Monitoring systems within the home have been improved, with a clear audit trail demonstrating actions taken and that information has been shared with the staff team.

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Progress

The staff team have improved how they evidence the work they undertake with the young people. This includes improved recording which clearly identifies actions taken, how the young person is feeling about the event and the discussions held. The manager said this is an on-going development which enables the staff team to have ownership of their work as well as a better understanding of why and how certain approaches work.

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Progress

There has been improvement in the fabric of the home. The kitchen has undergone some refurbishment and the dining room has been redecorated. Young people have been involved in the choices or décor and they are currently involved in developing plans for the garden.

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Progress

Young people remain happy with their placement at the home. They feel safe at the home and stated that the staff look after them well.

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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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