Children's Home run by Channels and Choices Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC408584 Inspection date 15/01/2014 Inspector Anna Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is registered to provide care for up to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is run by a partnership company.

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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 May 2013, this home was judged to be good overall. Since then the home has maintained an outstanding quality of care and outcomes for young people, while continually developing the service. The one previous good practice recommendation has been addressed. There are two recommendations arising from this inspection.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, young people from the home have successfully transitioned to foster care in line with care plans. A placing social worker comments ‘the transition was very well thought out and child friendly’. This is a very positive outcome. Overall, feedback from placing social workers about the home is extremely good. A placing social worker comments ‘I get detailed monthly updates, and I feel the home is based on a core of good practice’.

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Progress

Young people now receive timely feedback on any concerns or complaints that they raise. There has only been one complaint since the last visit. This was fully investigated, and appropriate action taken. The Registered Manager demonstrates reflective learning from this event. Occasional ‘name calling’ between the young people is actively addressed by staff. Young people are well-supported through any such incident and records now capture young people’s views on conclusions more clearly. This ensures young people’s feelings on the outcomes achieved are fully captured.

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Progress

The use of physical intervention is reducing within the home. Records relating to restraints are written in a bound log and in incident reports. However, occasionally the wording of the record is unclear and they do not accurately reflect the intervention used. This compromises the Registered Manager’s ability to effectively scrutinise restraint practice to ensure it is reasonable and proportionate. Since the last inspection, there have been incidents when senior staff have been involved directly in physical restraints. These same senior staff have then monitored the records relating to the occurrence and signed them off. This means senior staff directly involved are reviewing their own behaviour management practice and this is not appropriate.

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Progress

Young people continue to engage in a wide range of community based activities such as cricket club, sea cadets and army cadets. Days out and weekends are action- packed. Examples of activities include trips to theme parks, fishing, go-karting and camping trips. Individual talents are also promoted and encouraged. Some young people attend personal music and drama lessons. All young people went away together on a successful break to a holiday park. These opportunities provide them with an extensive range of varied life experiences. Young people attend school full- time and continue to achieve excellent academic progress. One young person received an award for outstanding attendance and good academic progress from their local authority. Young people consistently engage with and benefit from therapeutic services, including speech and language input. This supports their emotional and psychological well-being. There have been no young people reported

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Progress

as missing from the home since the last inspection.

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Progress

Progress towards the home’s development plan is good. The accommodation has been enhanced with photographic collages of young people’s recent activities and holidays. The home is maintained to an excellent standard. During the summer months, the large garden was used by young people to grow flowers and vegetables. Some areas of the home have been redecorated and had new carpets. Personal diversity boards explore young people’s backgrounds. This positively promotes learning and discussion about different heritages. Overall, young people live in an exceedingly comfortable and homely environment.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home; with specific reference to revising procedures for monitoring restraint records when the registered manager has been involved directly in a physical intervention (NMS 21.1)  ensure that entries in records are legible and clearly expressed, particularly following any episode of restraint (NMS 22.4)

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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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