Children's Home run by Little Acorns London Beach Farm Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC023651 Inspection date 08/01/2014 Inspector Janet Hunnam Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private organisation which provides an independent school for children at the home on the same site.

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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 inspection carried out in May 2013, the home was judged as good. One requirement was made in relation to considering the effectiveness of sanctions. The home has thoroughly reviewed the effectiveness of sanctions as part of behaviour management. Sanctions are relevant to the individual child and support their development. The recommendation regarding comprehensive risk assessments for children has been met. These are detailed and individualised and identify specific strategies to address children’s specific vulnerabilities.

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Progress

At this inspection, the home is judged to be making good progress with no requirements or recommendations made. Children continue to make significant progress at the home. Since the last inspection, two children have made a successful transition from the home. One has moved to a foster placement and the other child now lives with their family.

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Progress

The manager is now registered with Ofsted. He is developing support systems for staff through increased staff consultation with the psychotherapist, formal group supervision and informal staff discussion groups to develop strategies for working with the children, ensure consistency and improve children’s outcomes.

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Progress

Other developments include on-going refurbishment of the home and external decoration to provide a bright and homely environment for children to flourish. All policies are currently being reviewed by the Registered Manager to ensure they are compliant with the National Minimum Standards.

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Progress

The monitoring of incidents and physical intervention in relation to individual children is excellent providing detailed analysis and evaluation to inform care planning. Incidents involving physical intervention reduce over time as children settle at the home and respond to the strategies staff implement and they develop positive, trusting relationships with staff.

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Progress

Care plans are vibrant documents written from the child’s perspective, which identify very detailed strategies to support children throughout 24 hours. Positive support plans outline and illustrate the safe holds that staff can use if physical intervention is required ensuring staff support children appropriately in relation to their individual needs.

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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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