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

Unique reference number SC023740 Inspection date 27/03/2013 Inspector Clare Davies Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home provides care and accommodation to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. The home is run by a private company that operates several other homes in the locality. The company has educational provision to support the children and young people in their care.

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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 September 2012, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as outstanding without any requirements or recommendations set. Since then the home has demonstrated good progress in improving the quality of care and helping young people achieve positive outcomes. For example, young people continue to be central to the development of the home, develop useful skills towards their independence, and benefit from regular consultation.

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Progress

Young people continue to have good attendance at school and college and some have increased their educational timetable. Some young people who had difficulty settling at school, now have reports that show a significant improvement in behaviour and that incidents are rare.

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Progress

The staff recognise the importance of young people being able to maintain contact with family and friends. Such contact is managed sensitively with the best interests of the young people at the heart of any decision making. Staff support young people in making and maintaining these contacts where appropriate. The home provides a suitable physical environment for the young people. The landings and stairwells of the home have been decorated with the full inclusion of the young people. Colour samples of paint were tested on the wall before a vote and young people got fully involved by stripping the wall paper in preparation for the decorators. The new carpet was selected from samples and the young people have been shopping for the finishing touches of pictures and photograph frames for display on the walls. Young people are rightly proud of their home and their contribution towards the recent changes.

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Progress

The stability and commitment of the staff team provide security, enabling young people to feel safe. Consequently there are very few incidents of challenging behaviour and young people respond well to the structure provided. Staff are keen to support young people in developing their life-skills and balance this well with considering any particular special needs or vulnerabilities. Regular key work provides an opportunity to support young people with their personal goals and a forum for staff to address any current issues. Good records are maintained of this direct work and the manager monitors the quality and frequency of these sessions to ensure they are enabling young people to achieve positive outcomes.

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Progress

Staff continue to access the training programme delivered by the organisation. To respond to the particular needs of the young people, a formal qualification has been identified on learning disabilities and autism. The manager plans for staff to commence this aspect of their professional development within the next few months.

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Progress

The organisation has introduced a new system for assessing risk, across all their homes. The simple use of a traffic light system has been welcomed by the manager and staff. This new system will be reviewed after a short while to evaluate its effectiveness. Senior managers are confident this system will help to identify current and potential risks in order that measures can be taken promptly to reduce them. No requirements or recommendations were identified during this inspection.

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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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