Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Kent Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC425071 Inspection date 15/01/2014 Inspector David Putnam Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 31/07/2013 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

This privately run children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Education is available on site. Therapy is available to young people if required.

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 good progress .

p.3

Progress

At the last inspection the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be adequate. Three requirements were made. Leaders and manager have taken clear steps to ensure all these have been addressed.

p.3

Progress

Signed consent to use electronic monitors on young people’s bedroom doors at night is now obtained from placing authorities and parents. The Registered Manager is able to demonstrate the efforts they make to obtain this consent. Young people are also consulted, made aware of the monitors and agree to their use, ensuring that their views are taken into account.

p.3

Progress

All staff now have their performance appraised annually. This provides the opportunity to reflect upon individual practice over the past year, identify areas that have gone well and challenge staff to improve. This process informs the individual development of staff which is followed up each month through personalised targets.

p.3

Progress

Significant improvements have been made in the way that the views of young people, parents and placing authorities are sought and acted upon. While regular reviews of the quality of care by the Registered Manager highlight processes for obtaining this feedback, reports do not always identify the action taken as a result. However, this inspection highlighted several clear examples of how this happens. Young people are consistently asked their views about the service and their ideas are invariably taken forward. When this is not possible they are helped to understand why. As a result of separate feedback from placing social workers and parents, improved information on the progress of young people is now received.

p.3

Progress

Two recommendations were also made at the last inspection. Action has been taken to address these. Young people are now actively involved in the recruitment of new staff. Their ideas about questions to ask applicants are now included in formal interviews. Young people confirm that applicants are also invited to spend supervised time with them. Young people then provide feedback to leaders and managers to ensure that their views are taken into consideration in the selection process.

p.4

Progress

Since the last inspection, additional staff have now enrolled on the appropriate level 3 Diploma. Ultimately this will ensure that they attain the necessary formal qualification stipulated in the children’s homes national minimum standards. Other staff were waiting to be confirmed in post before beginning this qualification. However, at the time of this inspection a small number of bank staff had not been considered for this qualification. Consequently this recommendation is set again to ensure that all staff progress to meet the expected standard.

p.4

Progress

This inspection also identified a shortfall in the quality of records relating to young people going missing. While this occurs rarely, details are recorded in different documents or formats. This makes it difficult to track the efforts of staff to find a young person and any action taken upon their return. This shortfall has limited impact upon young people but a recommendation is made to streamline the way these records are made and used.

p.4

Progress

Since the last inspection leaders and managers have continued to demonstrate a commitment to improve the quality of the service provided to young people. All young people benefit from full attendance at schools that have been identified to meet their individual educational needs. Robust monitoring by the newly Registered Manager and other senior staff continues to identify further areas for improvement. Direct action is taken to systematically address any shortfalls or errors that are found. Regular supervision of staff and focused training helps to engender a positive shared vision that leads to more consistency and continuity for young people. As a result the majority of young people are extremely positive about the care they receive. They identify improvements in their behaviour and the positive results this brings. For some this leads to fundamental changes in their care plans. Others identify that they feel they have grown up and say that they manage their feelings

p.4

Progress

better, using new techniques. This is reflected in a steady reduction in the number of physical restraints of young people. When young people do have concerns they are supported to talk about them so that they can be dealt with quickly and effectively. This helps young people to understand that their views are important.

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that written records kept by the home when a child goes missing detail action taken by staff, the circumstances of the child's return, any reasons given by the child for running away from the home, and any action taken in the light of those reasons (NMS 5.10)  ensure that all staff engaged from the commencement of the National Minimum Standards (in April 2011) are to hold the level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma which must include mandatory social care units; or be working towards the Diploma within six months of confirmation of employment. (NMS 18.5)

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