Children's Home run by Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities in Kent

Unique reference number SC425786 Inspector Helen Lee Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person

Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities Registered person address Strode Park Foundation, Strode Park House Lower Herne Road HERNE BAY Kent CT6 7NE Responsible individual John Frederick Cotterill Registered manager Laura Pearce Date of last inspection 26/01/2015 2 of 6 Inspection date 31/03/2015

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Registered person

Previous inspection good 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

All the children and young people placed permanently remain living at the home since the last inspection. Three young people continue residing at the home since turning eighteen whilst adult care provisions are actively sought after.

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This inspection

Staff work with children and young people and liaise closely with parents and other professionals to identify achievable goals for young people. One Independent Reviewing Officer states that the young person is a 'happy and well-adjusted young person who is thriving’. Staff provide consistent support to aid young people to realise their goals building on their self-confidence and self-esteem. Children and young people participate in water-therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. There are also opportunities for young people to learn to self-medicate and therefore take a greater responsibility in their health and wellbeing. A good number of children make great progress in terms of developing a more exploratory approach to mealtimes as well as eating out socially. This impact positively upon their nutritional needs.

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This inspection

Educational opportunities are provided by staff who are adaptable in providing transportation and support within school including a high level of assistance for any transition periods such as a change of school. Children and young people enjoy full attendance at school. One school review states that the young person ' is progressing with their goals, they are more vocal and making good choices when in the mood we’ve seen a real improvement in their social skills’. Relatives of children and young people are made to feel welcome in the home and this has enabled staff to form positive relationships with parents.

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This inspection

The home’s safeguarding procedure now contains information regarding child sexual exploitation, cyber-bullying and e-safety. This training supports staff in their work to ensure that the young people are protected from these risks. No significant incidents 3 of 6 or safeguarding matters have been reported since the last inspection. There have been no incidences of children and young people going absent or missing. High staffing ratios provide excellent supervision levels and the building is appropriately secure. The use of secured doors and surveillance equipment, such as baby monitors is openly advertised and agreed with social workers, parents and carers. All young people now have signed consent forms for these measures.

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This inspection

There has been no use of restraint or any sanctions given since the last inspection evidencing the strong relationships between the staff and young people. This is because staff know how each child or young person communicates or reacts if they are distressed or uncomfortable. Staff are sensitive to any changes in the demeanour of children and young people and are prompt to respond to individual needs. Risk assessments are in place for every possible event or activity. The Registered Manager is yet to review these as asked at the last inspection due to the timescale between visits. Some of the assessments refer to other levels of assessments or to the home’s procedures rather than to actual risk areas and/or reduction strategies.

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This inspection

Staff are very well supported in their roles and now training records kept by the home clearly identify their training. Recent courses have included safe & therapeutic care, safeguarding deaf and disabled children along with child sexual exploitation awareness. The home was asked to review its Statement of Purpose to include further information regarding the young people’s needs it can reasonably meet and clarity regarding any nursing care. This has been completed; however, the home has yet to complete its location assessment to summarise within the Statement of Purpose. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home provides care and accommodation for up to three children under short-break arrangements and to a further six children who live at the home. Facilities are in place to meet the needs of children who either have physical disabilities, learning disabilities or both. It is operated by a local charitable foundation.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/01/2015 Full good 18/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 08/10/2013 Full good 04/02/2013 Interim good progress

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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) review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises at least once in each calendar year (Regulation 31 (1A) (a)) 29/05/2015

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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 a proportionate approach to any written risk assessments in particular to make sure that the risk is tailored to the individual young person with clear intervention, reduction strategies and evaluation. (NMS 5 of 6 4.5) 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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