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

Unique reference number SC416915 Inspection date 08/01/2014 Inspector Sophie Wood Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 13/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making inadequate progress .

p.3

Progress

At the time of this inspection, the Registered Manager in post at the previous inspection is moving to a different position within the wider organisation. A new manager is currently undertaking a detailed handover to ensure a seamless transition for the benefit of the young people and the staff team. Her application to register with Ofsted has been posted. This particular visit is undertaken with both post- holders present.

p.3

Progress

At the previous inspection in August 2013, the home was judged good for overall effectiveness. Two requirements and five recommendations were made. Both of the requirements related to physical restraint records and these have not been fully met. Five recommendations were made; four of these have been satisfactorily addressed.

p.3

Progress

The volume used to record the use of physical restraint measures has been reviewed and updated. However, it fails to detail all of the required elements as listed under the Regulation. There is also an example of an incomplete entry in the new format. Safeguarding risks for young people are apparent because records are not providing a comprehensive account of the use of such techniques. There is also a potential risk to the staff involved in the use of such techniques because the current quality of such records is not robust. A requirement is repeated to fully address this shortfall.

p.3

Progress

Recent Regulation 33 visits have identified some areas of shortfall in this regard. However, the findings are inconsistent and lack rigour and response. Shortfalls with regards to Regulation 33 activities have been identified by senior managers and clear plans are in place to address this finding. However, these proposed changes have yet to come to fruition. Therefore a requirement is made to ensure the necessary changes to Regulation 33 processes are implemented in order to successfully scrutinise the quality of the care provided by the home.

p.4

Progress

The Statement of Purpose contained information relating to therapeutic approaches which were, and are potentially misleading to prospective placing authorities. Although work is evidently underway to review and amend this document, it has not yet come to fruition and the previous document remains in place. This previous recommendation is now escalated to a requirement.

p.4

Progress

The home has undergone a significant amount of refurbishment and re-decoration, as was recommended at the previous inspection. Communal areas appear brighter and suitably furnished. All of the young people's bedrooms are in the process of being upgraded and plans to refurbish the girls' bathroom are in place. The home's voluntary decision to reduce its occupancy from seven to six young people at any one time is having a positive impact upon the current young people in placement. There is now the potential for more physical communal space and the home is quite literally, less crowded. Senior managers are currently exploring possible options to relocate to more spacious accommodation and the young people have had direct input and influence in making physical changes to the garden area.

p.4

Progress

The recommendation to review and update individual risk assessments was made with a view to engaging young people more directly in understanding and taking responsibility for their own risky behaviours. The content of revised risk assessments and processes demonstrates better direct consultation with individual young people. They now stand a better chance of taking ownership and responsibility for changing their own, potentially damaging behaviours.

p.4

Progress

Individual care records were judged to be of variable quality at the previous inspection. Recording processes were judged to be repetitive and therefore they lost their objectivity. The home has streamlined the information staff record and is more concerned with quality over quantity. Young people now stand a better chance of making sense of the information that is held about them.

p.4

Progress

A recommendation was made for The Registered Manager to improve upon the quality of his Regulation 34 reports, with the specific area of monitoring health records identified as a weakness. Not only has this specific area been addressed but the organisation has also successfully recruited a 'Health and Welfare Manager.' This individual was on site at the time of this visit. She was reviewing the current presenting health needs of all of the young people currently accommodated. The home has taken this recommendation very seriously. It appreciates the value of developing its own expertise in recognising and acting upon the presenting holistic health needs of the young people accommodated.

p.4

Progress

Beyond the requirements and recommendations previously made, the home, and wider organisation, has instigated additional improvements. The staff training matrix and programme has been rigorously reviewed and updated. Team leaders within the home now train for and attain qualifications beyond which are deemed to meet the minimum requirements. This aspect should to significantly improve the quality of care provided. Young people accommodated within the home should benefit from the forthcoming improved expertise of a well-trained and suitably qualified staff team.

p.5

Progress

Senior managers demonstrate a detailed understanding of the potential impact of new guidance and Regulations, about to come into force. A new, independent Regulation 33 visitor has been appointed and meetings with the local police have already occurred to ensure that generic risk assessments with regards to the home's physical location are underway.

p.5

Progress

Senior managers demonstrate a strong commitment to securing continued improvements, as a result of this inspection, in the best interests of the young people accommodated in the home.

p.5

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.

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose of which shall include- (a)-(i) (Regulation 17B(3)(a)-(i) 31/01/2014

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) compile in relation to the children's home a written statement ("the statement of purpose") which shall consist of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1 (Regulation 4, Schedule 1) 31/01/2014

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the person carrying out Regulation 33 visits shall- (c) prepare a written report on the conduct of the home. This requirement is made in the context of improving upon the content and quality of these reports (Regulation 33 (4)(c). 31/01/2014

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6