Children's Home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC023743 Inspector Chris Golbourn Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited Registered person address Cheesemans Farmhouse Alland Grange Lane, Manston Ramsgate Kent CT12 5BZ Responsible individual Leslie Peter Davenport Registered manager Kieron Jones Date of last inspection 20/01/2015 2 of 5 Inspection date 18/03/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection None

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

Since the last inspection in January 2015 positive action has been taken to the meet recommendations and requirements made, all of which have been addressed. The Registered Manager, together with senior managers from the organisation, developed an improvement plan to manage the action required to improve the care provided to children. As a result, children continue to enjoy placement stability, and benefit from care provided by a consistent group of staff.

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This inspection

Children are well supported by staff who work exceptionally hard to help them overcome the challenges they face in their lives. Care planning and care practice is extremely personalised and child-centred. Children are treated as individuals with their own set of unique needs. Staff work hard to obtain an in-depth knowledge of children and promote a co-ordinated approach to their care. They work closely with parents and professionals to ensure children receive the services and support they need.

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This inspection

Children's, views about their needs, along with their general wishes and feelings are integral to this work and staff are strong advocates for those in their care. As a result, children thrive and make good progress from their starting points of joining the home. These include improved behaviour, better health, improved attendance and engagement in education and where appropriate, improved relationships with family and friends.

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This inspection

Children are safe and confirm that they feel safe. Staff effectively manage risks and vulnerabilities in a way that keeps young people safe but allows them to have age appropriate experiences such as having friends around to play or staying overnight at friends’ houses. Negative behaviour is effectively managed through good use of relationships, restorative approaches, sanctions and rewards. There has been no use of restraint since the last inspection. Sanctions have been used sparingly, but 3 of 5 effectively to achieve restorative outcomes. Consequently children feel cared for, are praised and are able to accept advice and guidance.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has now established himself in the role well and promotes a strong caring ethos in the home. This is augmented by a positive system of weekly internal monitoring checks which are used to review regular external monitoring and inform quarterly reports to Ofsted. As a result the Registered Manager has a good knowledge of the home’s strengths and what areas require further development. He leads by example, addressing any shortfalls, particularly those which may impact directly on the care of children. As a result, the care and welfare of children is regularly monitored and any areas of concern addressed in a planned way.

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This inspection

In conducting a review of the home the Registered Manager and the organisation have taken this opportunity to reconfigure the age range of children the home provides for. This has been a positive development. However, the home’s statement of purpose has not been reviewed and amended to reflect this change and Ofsted was not informed of this planned change. As a result a breach of the children’s homes regulations has transpired. This is viewed as an administrative error and has no direct impact on the care of children on a day to day basis. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for a maximum of three children, who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. Children living in the home are able to access education through registered provision provided by the organisation. Therapy or counselling is also made available to children if this is appropriate.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/01/2015 Full adequate 11/02/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 13/06/2013 Full good 26/03/2013 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

5 (2001) keep under review and, where appropriate, revise the statement of purpose and the children’s guide; notify HMCI of any such revision within 28 days; and if the children’s guide is revised, supply a copy to each child accommodated in the home. (Regulation 5 (a) – (c)) 31/03/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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.

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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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