Children's Home run by Kent County Council in Kent

Unique reference number SC403850 Inspector Lucy Chapman Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Kent County Council Registered person address Kent County Council, Sessions House County Road MAIDSTONE Kent ME14 1XQ Responsible individual Philip Segurola Registered manager Amanda Vallis Date of last inspection 17/02/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 26/03/2015

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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 improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

This home has made progress in a number of areas since the previous inspection. Both recommendations made at the previous inspection are actioned. Improved recruitment checks are in place, with references now requested from all previous employers. This enhances safeguarding within the recruitment arrangements . New ‘education, care and health plans’ are also in place. This facilitates a multi- disciplinary approach to care planning for young people and records information together for easier access by professionals, parents and young people who wish to access their files.

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This inspection

An experienced and suitably qualified Registered Manager leads this home. The Registered Manager is committed to providing good quality care to children and young people. This enhances the outcomes for children and young people; they enjoy their time and achieve their potential during stays at this home. The deputy manager is well trained and experienced, recently commencing the Level 5 management qualification to develop her current knowledge. A well trained and stable staff team is in place. One staff member said ‘I really enjoy my work, we are all here for the children and that really does show’. The stable and permanent staff team limits the use of agency staff and means that children, young people and their families can build relationships with consistent staff.

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This inspection

Feedback from professionals and parents evidences that children and young people enjoy their stays at this home and develop good relationships with staff. The Regulation 33 visitor notes excellent behaviour management by staff during monthly visits to the home. There has been no use of physical restraint since the previous inspection. Children and young people are encouraged to be themselves, with behaviour management plans focussing upon de-escalation techniques tailored to each individual child or young person’s needs. Staff develop excellent relationships with the families of children and young people. Regular communication ensures that 3 of 6 staff have up to date information and work in partnership with parents to meet young people’s needs.

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This inspection

Children and young people are listened to and their thoughts and feedback influence decision making within the home. Children and young people chose to use a recent charitable donation to buy a new swing. On an individual level children and young people are empowered to make choices in their daily life, such as how they style their hair and which member of staff they undertake activities with.

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This inspection

Staff effectively support the health needs of young people, linking with a range of health professionals to meet children and young people’s individual needs. The cook promotes dietary health and has introduced ‘sugar swaps’ following new governmental advice. All cakes and biscuits are now home-made using low sugar recipes. The home has a large outdoor space equipped with a wide range of equipment. Children and young people who do not readily engage with physical activities are encouraged to take advantage of the specialised outdoor equipment and enjoy this experience whilst improving their health.

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This inspection

Staff support children and young peoples’ education while they stay at this home. There is a homework room, equipped with computers. Staff also link with schools and visit schools to share information. This means that staff are working with up to date information in the support that they provide to children and young people.

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This inspection

Identifying and meeting children and young people’s identity needs is a strength of this home. Care plans contain clear identity information and use this to address care needs.

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This inspection

Robust safeguarding policies and procedures ensure that children and young people are safe within this home. There have been no safeguarding issues, sanctions, restraint or complaints since the previous inspection and individual up to date risk assessments are in place for each young person. All staff are training in safeguarding and this training is undertaken annually. Children and young people are kept safe whilst allowing them to maximise their independence and life skills development. For example, staff support some young people to safely cook and to make their own drinks and snacks. Currently there is no Wi-Fi within the home and staff supervise young people’s internet use. Currently not all staff have completed internet safety training however this is being added to the staff training programme along with training in child sexual exploitation.

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This inspection

This home is spacious and is well decorated and furnished. Bedrooms are individually decorated, including the alphabet, under the sea themes. Facilities include a soft play room, sensory room, quiet room, and spacious lounge and dining areas. The communal area is recently enhanced with the addition of a sensory jungle themed mural in the corridor, the jungle theme chosen after consultation with children and young people. This well-equipped home allows children and young people to participate in a wide range of activities and to spend time with others or to 4 of 6 enjoy activity individually. A permanent maintenance staff member is in place ensuring that the home is safe and maintained to a high standard. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This short-break service for children and young people is provided by a local authority. The home caters for up to six young people living with learning and/or physical disabilities. This includes young people with complex needs and those on the autistic spectrum.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/02/2014 Interim good progress 17/07/2013 Full good 21/02/2013 Interim inadequate progress 14/05/2012 Full good

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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 staff encourage children to take appropriate risks as a normal part of growing up. Children are helped to understand how to keep themselves safe when using the internet and social media (NMS 4.4) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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