Children's Home run by Moonreach LTD in Kent

Unique reference number SC448997 Inspector David Putnam Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Moonreach Limited Registered person address 28 Castle Street DOVER Kent CT16 1PW

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Responsible individual Linda Cowie Registered manager Fern Margaret Cowie Date of last inspection 14/03/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 14/11/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The home continues to work well to bring about positive outcomes for children and young people. Those who have moved on from the home since the last inspection have done so as part of a clearly defined plan. The flexible approach taken by managers ensures that sufficient time is allowed to find the most suitable placement. This leads to an openness and willingness to allow young people to remain in the home beyond their eighteenth birthday. As a result young people are supported to manage significant changes in their lives in a planned way.

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This inspection

Equally, leaders and managers take the matching process of new referrals extremely seriously. The needs of children and young people already placed are carefully considered when deciding if new placements are suitable. Only one child has been admitted since the last inspection. Over 30 referrals have been considered, but rejected by leaders and managers since the last inspection. Records clearly demonstrate how referrals have been considered but assessed as not being a suitable match with others already living in the home. This contributes to the consistency and continuity of care that children and young people receive. As a result children and young people are able to experience periods of stability following times when they have experienced numerous placement moves.

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This inspection

When referrals are accepted children and young people are supported to manage their move to this home. Information about the home is shared within age appropriate written information. This is augmented by planned visits before any placement. When appropriate, children and young people are supported by their parents and social workers on such visits. This helps children and young people know what to expect and supports their ability to settle.

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This inspection

Children and young people express some frustrations about having clear routines, rules and expectations set within the home. However, they are able to identify small, 3 of 5 but positive changes in themselves as a result of the care they receive. They give examples of experiencing reduced frequency and intensity of their feelings of anger. They say that while they may sometimes be late returning to the home, they do not going missing anymore. They acknowledge that this used to be a regular occurrence in previous placements. After extensive periods out of school children and young people benefit from strong advocates within the home. This results in the identification of suitable provision to meet their needs and the opportunity for children and young people to re-engage with their education. Attendance at introductory days in new schools represents demonstrable progress for some.

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This inspection

The home is able to evidence positive collaborative working with a range of outside agencies to assist in meeting the needs of children and young people. Close working with police and specialist youth services helps to reduce the incidence of children and young people going missing. While difficult and challenging behaviours persist within the home, examples of anti-social behaviour outside the home have reduced. Together with placing authorities, leaders and managers pursue services through local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). When services are not forthcoming they work with placing authorities to provide appropriate challenge to decisions. Through clear plans agreed with placing authorities, staff continue to work towards achieving identified goals.

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This inspection

Children and young people are helped to understand and contribute to plans for their care. This helps them to look forward, rather than focus on past experiences. Staff support this outcome by giving children and young people clear messages that they are valued and that the staff team want them to remain living within the home.

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This inspection

Parents say they are satisfied with the quality of care provided. They identify that their children are more settled than in previous placements. They confirm that the home communicates with them well and keeps them informed of important events and significant developments.

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This inspection

Leaders and managers have taken effective action to respond to the one requirement set at the last inspection. Through working closely with external professionals who undertake monthly independent monitoring visits to the home, areas of strength and potential weakness are more clearly defined. This enables more robust action to plan for and deliver improvements to the services provided to children and young people.

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This inspection

No shortfalls against the Children’s Homes Regulations or national minimum standards were identified as part of this inspection. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for a maximum of 2 young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2014 Interim good progress 02/10/2013 Full good 29/11/2012 Full good Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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