Children's Home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd in Kent

Unique reference number SC416915 Inspector David Putnam Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd Registered person address Acorn Homes, Northdown House Northdown Park MARGATE Kent CT9 3TP Responsible individual David Laurie Knowles Registered manager Tania Smith Date of last inspection 08/01/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 22/05/2014

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Previous inspection inadequate progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness adequate

Outcomes for children and young people adequate Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management adequate

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Overall effectiveness

A committed and caring staff team provide a good quality of care for children and young people who have had troubled and disrupted lives up to the point of admission. Children and young people are positive about their relationships with staff. They recognise that the care and support they receive enables them to feel safe and secure. Managers and staff diligently promote the safety and welfare of those in their care. Children and young people identify the progress they make in many aspects of their lives. This view is supported by placing social workers who commend the individualised care that is planned for and delivered. However, outcomes are not consistently positive for everyone.

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Overall effectiveness

Leaders and managers demonstrate a commitment to improving the service. They strive to identify areas of weakness and plan to address these by building upon its strengths. However, this inspection highlighted shortfalls in specific areas. Requirements and recommendations are made to rectify these, but they do not negatively impact upon the safety and welfare of young people. When the home’s Statement of Purpose was reviewed a copy of the revised document was not forwarded to Ofsted. Children and young people do not benefit from clear structure or direction when they are not able or willing to attend education provision. Young people’s individual files do not reflect the necessary consideration or agreement for using electronic door monitoring devices. There are insufficient facilities for staff who 3 of 11 are required to sleep in overnight. Processes for recording staff training lack clarity. As a result some time-limited qualifications have been allowed to lapse. Emergency

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Overall effectiveness

evacuation drills do not include practices at different times of the day or night. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is owned by a private company and accommodates up to seven young people. The home's Statement of Purpose currently restricts the number of placements to six. It is one of four children’s homes owned by the company. The home offers a care and support for young people that have a range of behavioural and emotional difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/01/2014 Interim inadequate progress 13/08/2013 Full good 27/02/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 15/08/2012 Full good

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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

5 (2001) notify Ofsted of any revision of the Statement of Purpose or children's guide within 28 days (Regulation 5(b)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the routine of the home is organised so as to further children's participation in education, including regular attendance at school and participation in school activities of children of compulsory school age or regular attendance at college where applicable (Regulation 18(1)(b)) 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

22 ensure that electronic or mechanical monitoring 31/07/2014 5 of 11 (2001) devices for the surveillance of children are not used in a children's home except for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children accommodated in the children's home. When such a measure is used, all conditions set out in this regulation are met (Regulation 22(1)(a) to (d))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) provide for persons working at the children's home, facilities for the purpose of changing and sleeping accommodation where the provision of such accommodation is needed in connection with their work at the home. (Regulation 31(10)(a) and (b)) 31/07/2014

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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

 ensure there is an emergency escape plan that all staff and children are famil with and have practiced so they know what to do in an emergency; in particu that this includes regular drills at night time (NMS 10.9)  ensure staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and purpose of the setting, and training keeps them up-to-date with professional, legal and practice developments and reflects the policies, legal obligations and business needs of the home. (NMS 18.1) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Children and young people identify individual progress they make over time. They attribute these changes to the care they receive. For example, those who previously expressed anger and frustration through frequent outbursts now refer to having occasional ‘wobbles’ or ‘moments’. Children and young people are comfortable and confident about talking with staff. They recognise that they have found different ways of managing their feelings and are consequently not restrained as frequently as before.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Progress is also recognised by placing social workers who say that young people are ‘blossoming’ since living in this home. Others identify the settling effect the home has on young peoples’ behaviour. They comment that young people are now more able to reflect upon their actions and have begun to apologise when they behave inappropriately. As a result children and young people are more able to cope when difficult or challenging circumstances arise.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

The views of children and young people are considered in a range of aspects of life within the home. This helps children and young people to understand that their opinions are valued. Recently the expressed preferences of children and young people have been fundamental in taking forward an extensive refurbishment of the home. In particular, children and young people are extremely positive about their own bedrooms which have been decorated to their own specifications.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Staff work together with placing authorities to enable children and young people to benefit from safe and appropriate contact arrangements with family members and others who are important to them. Children and young people demonstrate understanding and insight where there are restrictions to any contact. Facilities exist for young people to make telephone calls in between contact visits.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

The parent organisation provides supported accommodation for young people who are over 16 years old. This promotes the transition of young people onto the next stage of their lives when the time is right. Close links between the services provides young people with a consistency of care that they recognise and appreciate.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Most children and young people engage positively with the wider community. Some develop appropriate acquaintances with neighbours. However, isolated incidents involving a minority of young people can negatively impact upon how the home is perceived in the locality.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Managers and staff advocate strongly for children and young people to have their educational needs met in facilities appropriate to their age, aptitude and needs. However, some children and young people experience significant delay prior to 7 of 11 learning opportunities being provided. These children and young people express a motivation to learn and acknowledge their willingness to do so. Meanwhile a small number fail to engage with the services that are available to them. Staff set clear boundaries about what children and young people are able to do during education time. However, opportunities to prepare them to return to education are missed through a lack of structure and direction in the home.

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Quality of care good

Children and young people benefit from positive relationships with caring and motivated staff. They demonstrate and express genuine affection for staff who they describe as ‘great’. They make particular reference to their enjoyment of ‘special time’ with their key-workers, providing them with the opportunity to express their feelings. As a result of building trusting relationships with staff, children and young people build a sense of belonging after difficult early life experiences.

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Quality of care good

Placing social workers identify that the care provided enables children and young people to obtain attention in more positive ways. For example, young people now openly discuss their experiences of self-harming with staff. As a result the frequency and severity of young people self-harming has significantly reduced. When incidents do occur young people confide in staff so that appropriate medical attention can be sourced.

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Quality of care good

On the whole children and young people enjoy good physical health. Their individual health needs are identified well and clear plans are put in place to meet these. When appropriate, children and young people are supported to take responsibility to manage their own medication. Any risks linked to this is suitably considered and documented. Leaders and managers ensure access to resources which assist in meeting the emotional and psychological needs of children and young people. This includes the availability of counselling or therapy and recognition of the benefits brought about through engaging with activities in the wider community.

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Quality of care good

The specific needs of each child or young person are identified and catered for in comprehensive individual plans. Recently revised formats prompt staff to consider equality and diversity issues and ensure these areas are appropriately addressed. Placing social workers say that staff get to know children and young people exceptionally well. Children and young people are encouraged and enabled to contribute to their own plans which are produced in conjunction with placing authorities. As a result work with children and young people is co-ordinated to improve outcomes in most areas of their lives.

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Quality of care good

Children and young people have benefitted from considerable investment in the décor and fabric of the building. They say that their home ‘looks a lot better than it was before’ and provides ‘a more homely environment now.’ In addition to being able to choose how their bedrooms have been decorated, children and young people have 8 of 11 had significant input into the design of communal spaces. This helps them to understand that this is their home and encourages them to take care of their environment.

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Quality of care good

Recent changes to staffing arrangements include moving away from waking night staff to introduce a second person who sleeps in the home. This helps to provide a more realistic experience of family life. However, at the time of this inspection only one designated room was available for staff to sleep in. The other member of staff was required to sleep on the sofa in the communal lounge. Leaders and managers acknowledge that this is not an appropriate long term arrangement and are planning steps to address this. A requirement is made to ensure that suitable facilities are provided in future.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children and young people consistently articulate that they feel safe in this home. All express confidence in talking to the staff if they have any concerns. Staff are conscious of their responsibilities to safeguard children and young people and are pro-active in meeting these. Managers and staff demonstrate dogged determination to promote the safety and welfare of children and young people. Their persistence has resulted in appropriate action being taken to safeguard children in their care and others in the wider community.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Positive working relationships exist with specialist police officers in the locality. These help to address the implications of children or young people going missing and raise awareness of the potential impact of gangs or gang culture.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The frequency with which young people go missing has noticeably reduced over time, particularly since the last inspection. This and other areas of potential harm are addressed through individual risk assessments. These are produced in clear and precise language so that all staff are aware of the action they must take to minimise the likelihood and impact of any risk. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and staff sign revised documents to demonstrate that they have read and understood their content.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children and young people talk enthusiastically about the incentive scheme run in the home. Alongside the constructive relationships between children, young people and staff, this is used to encourage positive behaviour. This has led to a reduction in the number, frequency and duration of restraints within the home over time. Effective monitoring undertaken by leaders and managers has also informed and contributed to this reduction.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff from the head office of the organisation support the selection and vetting of staff through sound recruitment practices. This ensures that only those who are suitable progress to work with young people in the home. Records of the staff checks 9 of 11 set out in national minimum standards are maintained within the home. Investigations into allegations against staff are handled fairly and quickly. Robust internal policies and procedures are adhered to and external agencies are involved appropriately.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The manager takes the health and safety of children and young people extremely seriously. All key checks are up to date and systems are in place to ensure that regular checks of the premises are undertaken. Staff also understand their responsibility in promoting the safety and well-being of those in their care. Fire drills are held regularly and all children, young people and staff know what to do in case of an emergency. However, records do not identify any recent fire drill at night. Consequently some children and young people have not experienced this since they were placed. A recommendation is made to ensure that all children, young people and staff practice what to do if an emergency occurred while they were sleeping.

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Leadership and management adequate

At the time of this inspection the manager had been interviewed to assess their suitability. A final decision on their registration was pending. The current manager came into post at the time of the last interim inspection. Children and young people express their view that ‘the home has got a lot better since [the current manager] came in.' In particular children and young people identify that their relationships with staff have improved. The manager confirms that the overall number of staff has been reduced to provide more consistency of care. Children and young people also state that they like the physical changes to the home brought about through refurbishment. The manager confirms that significant financial investment has been made in the home. This has the effect of providing a more homely environment and also serves to demonstrate the financial viability of the service.

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Leadership and management adequate

The leadership and management structure of the organisation has also been strengthened through the introduction of a new director of operations. He brings significant experience to the post and has worked well with the manager to identify and progress change within the home. Staff are now provided with sufficient time to produce records that follow a new format that targets the experiences of and outcomes for children and young people. Consequently, records now provide a more detailed account of the time children and young people live in this home. Placing social workers highlight the quality of communication from the home as a particular strength.

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Leadership and management adequate

At the previous interim inspection three statutory requirements were set. All have been addressed, resulting in improvements to the service provided. The home’s Statement of Purpose was reviewed. The changes made resulted in a document that now accurately sets out the aims and objectives of the home. However there was an unexplained delay in forwarding the revised document to Ofsted. While this does equate to a regulatory shortfall its impact upon children and young people is 10 of 11 negligible. Records of restraints now fully meet the regulatory requirements and effectively cross reference to other documentation such as incident reports or sanction logs. Leaders and managers sourced external support to improve the quality of independent monthly monitoring visits. These have assisted in identifying areas for improvement alongside strengths of the service. Through their actions since the last inspection, leaders and managers have demonstrated their commitment to improve

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Leadership and management adequate

the service provided to children and young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

Notifications of significant events are routinely submitted to Ofsted and other relevant authorities. Through this process Ofsted was aware of a serious incident that has led to relationships with certain neighbours becoming strained. Leaders and managers have taken steps to address the concerns of neighbours although difficulties persist.

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Leadership and management adequate

Children and young people are cared for by staff who are well trained. Opportunities for staff to develop their learning and skills are made available. All current staff have attained or are working towards the qualification recognised in national minimum standards. An established and well publicised programme addresses core training needs and more specialised knowledge. However, training records are not consistently maintained, meaning that the need to refresh time-limited qualifications is occasionally missed.

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Leadership and management adequate

Electronic surveillance measures are used throughout the home. Each time bedroom and external doors are opened an audible signal is heard in the office. Individual agreements for using these measures are not in place. Equally it is unclear to what extent the views or privacy of children and young people are considered prior to using these measures. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management adequate

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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