Children's Home run by Pilgrims Corner Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC390167 Inspection date 29/01/2014 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 02/05/2013 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 private children's home provides accommodation for up to two young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. This home is part of a group of three homes owned by the same company.

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

This home was previously inspected in May 2013, and the home was judged as good for overall effectiveness. Four requirements were made at the last inspection, two requirements related to the home's Statement of Purpose and young people’s guide. The other two requirements related to the monitoring of the home’s performance and quality assurance practices.

p.3

Progress

The home publishes a comprehensive Statement of Purpose, detailing the operation of the home. The aims and objectives of the Statement of Purpose are clearly child focused and demonstrate the services provided to meet the needs of the young people. At the time of inspection, the Statement of Purpose was being reviewed. The emerging document demonstrates that the young people and staff are engaged in this review and are helping to shape and design this document.

p.3

Progress

The home is also conducting a review of the young people's guide with similar consultation. Part of this review is developing a more engaging guide for young people and this presents as a more child-friendly document. Information for young people is focused on empowering them and reinforcing their rights. The manager confirmed that the reviewed guide is to be used as a working document and young people’s comments will be canvassed on how helpful this document is.

p.3

Progress

In addition, a second children's guide is being created, for a younger age group. This will engage younger children and provide and present information that is more relevant to their age group. Ofsted will be notified following the completion of the reviews of these documents.

p.4

Progress

An independent person monitors and reports on the quality of care through regular monthly visits to the home. The visitor consults with young people, staff and where appropriate, parents and social workers in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. Following the visit, a report is written for the home's manager, detailing the overview of the homes performance. Areas of shortfall and other areas that may be considered for development are also raised within the report, which the manager acts upon. These independent visits have been thoughtfully developed. The subsequent reports provide effective quality assurance and actions, which resulting in improvements in the home’s performance.

p.4

Progress

The manager also monitors the home’s performance, identifying trends and patterns in the quality of care. This monitoring is more focussed upon practice and enables the manager to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home. If trends or patterns are identified that cause concern, the manager takes prompt and necessary action to address these matters and improve outcomes for young people. Risk assessment has recently been reviewed as part of the manager’s monitoring. This has led to increased consultation with staff and has resulted in more insightful and effective risk reduction. This is an area of practice, which has benefited from effective overview and improved the outcomes for the young people.

p.4

Progress

The manager has also developed an area risk assessment, which considers risks from the local environment and includes local features such as parks, the beach and other areas. This assessment also considers other people in the area and persons that may pose a risk to the young people. This risk assessment has benefitted by being developed in consultation with the local police and local council and any information from them is taken into consideration. This area risk assessment increases the awareness of risk for staff and minimises risks for young people.

p.4

Progress

Since the last inspection, the home has reviewed their child referral practices and closer links have been established with the local police. In addition, the referral and matching practices are more robust ensuring that more information is gathered prior to young people’s placements. Clearer decisions are made and the home will not accept placements where children's needs are considered likely to exceed the skills and abilities of the staff. This has resulted in increased focus of young people's needs and greater consideration how needs can be met.

p.4

Progress

The home has made significant improvements in supporting young people's education. In one example, a young person who had previously not attended school for over a year is currently sustaining 100% attendance. The support from staff and collaborative arrangements with the school have maintained this attendance for several months and supported positive progress in their studies.

p.4

Progress

In another example, risk-taking behaviour that previously caused great concerns, has significantly reduced. Staff successfully engaged this young person and formed trusting and supportive relationships. A social worker commented that the home had made remarkable progress with this young person and provided them with positive experiences and outcomes.

p.5

Progress

Staff are well managed and motivated by a strong and effective leader, who leads by example. Staff say the manager is supportive and they have high aspirations for the young people. Line management and supervision is effective, and staff members say this has increased their self-confidence within their caring roles.The quality of care has improved in this home with clear and defined practices that have made a positive impact on young people's outcomes.

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