Children's Home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC023744 Inspection date 26/02/2014 Inspector Liz Driver Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately owned children's home that is registered for up to three children or young people.

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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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the full inspection, which was carried out in August 2013, the home was judged as good with one requirement and one recommendation made. The home has made satisfactory progress.

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Progress

The requirement concerned ensuring that the person carrying out the monthly regulation 33 visit shall interview the children living there, their parents or relatives as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home. Recent regulation reports now contain comments from young people, their families where appropriate and professionals involved in their lives. This enables the visitor to form an opinion of the care provided.

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Progress

The one recommendation concerned ensuring that all children communicate their views on all aspects of their care and support. This has been progressed through regular consultations and key worker sessions.

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Progress

Since the last inspection parts of the home have been redecorated and refurbished resulting in a more homely and better maintained environment for young people to enjoy. Young people are involved in choosing pictures, photos and new furnishings in the home. There is a maintenance programme in place that covers the remaining areas to be decorated and refurbished. The office does not provide good use of its small space. The Registered Manager and her staff team have one computer to use between them and at times this can be problematic.

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Progress

The staff team has seen changes with new staff currently undertaking induction training. The Registered Manager and her senior staff provide support and guidance to the less experienced staff who are still getting to know the home and the organisation's procedures and practices. Good support and training ensures young people continue to be well cared whilst the new staff settle in.

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Progress

The staff team has developed good relationships with young people; as a result there has been a decrease in risk taking behaviours and the number incidents of young people going missing. No physical interventions have taken place and sanctions are few with more emphasis placed on restorative justice which young people are positively responding to. Relationships with the local community are good with no complaints received.

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Progress

Education for young people is pro-actively encouraged and supported. Staff work closely with other professionals to ensure good attendance at the most appropriate educational establishment.. Young people previously excluded from school are provided with home tuition with a focus on re-integration back to school. Satisfactory progress has resulted from the strategies put in place to re-engage young people with education.

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Progress

Young people are fully involved in choosing foods they enjoy. However, menus show an excessive amount of meals containing processed food and insufficient healthy options. This does not provide young people with a healthy or balanced diet.

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Progress

Young people who travel to education establishments by transport provided by the local education authority are not supervised sufficiently to ensure they travel safely. On the day of this visit no one was seen to be checking if the young person had their seat belt on before the driver drove off.

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Progress

The Registered Manager acted promptly to areas raised during the inspection, in particular the importance of adults ensuring young people wear seat belts at all times.

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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.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated at the home; specifically relating to the wearing of seat belts when travelling by minibus and car. (Regulation 11(1) (a)) 31/03/2014

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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

 continue with the decoration and refurbishment programme and seriously consider reorganising the staff office so it offers a more functional space with sufficient technology for the manager and her staff team to access. (NMS 10)  ensure children's physical needs are promoted; specifically relating to the provision of a healthy diet. (NMS 6)

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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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