Children's Home run by Pilgrims Corner Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC473877 Inspector Chris Golbourn Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person Pilgrims Corner Limited Registered person address Suite 5 The Links HERNE BAY Kent CT6 7GQ

p.1

Responsible individual Sarah Norman Registered manager POST VACANT Date of last inspection 19/11/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 05/02/2015

p.1

Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection None

p.2

This inspection

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

p.2

This inspection

The last full inspection took place in November 2014.That inspection made two statutory requirements and four recommendations. These requirements have been met and the recommendations, where considered appropriate, have also been met. Since that time the young people accommodated in home have remained in placement. This has meant continuity and stability for the young people.

p.2

This inspection

The home has sustained effectiveness since the last inspection. Young people say they enjoy living at the home. One said, 'I'm very happy here; they take care of me and treat me well.' Young people take part in activities and have access to a range of different experience, for example, by going to the cinema, horse riding, caravan holidays, and boxing and also undertaking work experience in the community. Young people enjoy themselves. This promotes young people’s self-esteem and confidence.

p.2

This inspection

Through the organisations independent school, the home supports young people educationally. Young people from their individual starting points make good progress, school attendance is very high and engagement in learning is having a proven impact. One young person said, 'I'm really doing well at college and school, I'm still doing mechanics and I hope to be starting a young apprentice scheme soon.’

p.2

This inspection

The links between the home and young people’s school are strong and effective. Positive events and success for the young people are jointly celebrated in the home and the school and any concerns about well-being or behaviour are communicated effectively between professionals at the start and end of the school day. Where appropriate for the young person the staff ensure that contact with friends and family is an integral part of their experience at the home. This ensures a consistency of approach from staff towards the young people and a continuity of care. 3 of 6 Young people’s experiences within the home are well recorded. Personalised individual risk management plans are in place for young people, who have goals to work towards and their progress is monitored through team meetings and recordings within their files. Young people learn how to develop self-care skills, manage finances and prepare food. This promotes young people’s emotional well-

p.2

This inspection

being and provides them with opportunities to develop their self-confidence. They learn independence skills in line with their care and pathway plans. This effective management of transitions for young people underpins their success. There is good consultation with young people and their families from the home. Staff use key working sessions to discuss with the young people what their views and feelings about the home are; this is shared with management to inform development planning. As a result young people feel consulted about what goes on in the home.

p.3

This inspection

The Responsible Individual, the acting manager and staff provide consistent responses to deal with any incidents which arise in the home. The staff team manage incidents well. Police involvement in the home is only sought as a last resort when young people's behaviours become dangerous to themselves and others. Through this approach staff are able to minimise criminalising young people.

p.3

This inspection

The management team has reviewed the safeguarding policies and procedures. These now reflect the important links of risks to young people through going missing or absent without permission and child sexual exploitation. This informs staff of their roles in keeping young people safe, and improves their practice. All safeguarding concerns are reported to external agencies and are dealt with appropriately, a professionals comment on a recent matter investigated said, 'the management and staff have acted correctly, with integrity and professionally at all times through the incident .’ As a result, young people feel safe and have a trust and confidence that matters which they complain about will be properly investigated.

p.3

This inspection

The home and its parent organisation are proactive in responding to any complaints or concerns raised by young people or neighbours and the local community. The management team undertake thorough investigations and are committed to learning from those experiences to improve practice of staff and outcomes for young people. Management, when necessary to safeguard young people and to safeguard staff, take all appropriate disciplinary steps.

p.3

This inspection

Young people say they have been trying hard to improve their behaviour, one young person said, 'I have sometimes not helped them do that, but they have helped me grow up a lot.’ As a result the number of incidents involving physical intervention or sanctions has reduced. Restrictive physical interventions are only used as a last resort and when absolutely necessary. The recordings of incidents is robust, records of restraint of young people is consistently detailed and is in line with the training staff receive. As such young people’s well-being and safety is not compromised and the welfare of staff maintained.

p.3

This inspection

Through regular well documented team meetings and workshops staff receive 4 of 6 ongoing training. Accredited external training providers deliver additional training in safeguarding and positive physical intervention. New and existing staff receive up to date necessary training, which is of good quality. Most of the staff are trained up to NVQ Level 3. Agency staff are not used. There is a contingency plan in place when staff shortages arise; staff from within the organisation are used to cover any gaps which may arise. As a result there is a consistency of approach from staff who know the young people and any negative impact on the emotional well-being of young people is minimised.

p.3

This inspection

The organisations recruitment of staff is safe, and example of this is the Responsible Individual will contact all previous employers to verify the applicants working practices, qualifications and reasons for leaving. Supervision is held on a monthly basis for existing staff and bi-weekly for new staff during their probationary period. Supervision recordings are detailed, and for those staff with appropriate service, linked to annual appraisals in a reflective way.

p.4

This inspection

The statement of purpose has been updated since the last inspection and copies electronically lodged with Ofsted. Young people are cared for in line with the principles of statement of purpose. The needs of the young people are regularly reviewed. If circumstances change for young people and management have concerns about the homes ability to meet a young person’s needs, they respond in planned way, with the placing local authority, meeting and discussing concerns with the young person’s best interest at the forefront of their discussion. Management will make appropriate challenge to partner agencies and champion the needs of the young person. As a result the care needs of the young people are prioritised to ensure that they are safe and their well-being is maintained.

p.4

This inspection

Through independent visitor’s reports and internal reviews, the management team are aware of areas for development within the home. The homes development plan is a living document which takes these areas into account and monitors actions to achieve them. The home is a warm and homely environment which is welcoming and friendly and well maintained. A young person said, 'It's just that isn't it - it's my home, I'm very happy here.’

p.4

This inspection

One new statutory requirement is made as a result of this inspection; this is in relation to the appointment of a Registered Manager. This does not have an impact on the quality of care young people are currently receiving or on the progress they are making. The manager’s post has been interviewed for and accepted by an experienced manager. In the interim the Responsible Individual is managing the home. 5 of 6

p.4

Information about this children’s home

This is a private children's home providing care for a maximum of two young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The organisations also own three other children's homes. The manager is also responsible for managing one of the organisation's other children's homes nearby.

p.5

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.

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

7 (2001) shall appoint an individual to manage the children’s home if—(a) there is no registered manager in respect of the children’s home; (2) Where the registered provider appoints a person to manage the children’s home, he shall forthwith give notice to HMCI of—(a) the name of the person so appointed; and (b) the date on which the appointment is to take effect. (Regulation 7 (1)) 31/03/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

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.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6