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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the previous inspection, one regulatory breach was identified regarding the health needs of young people. This has been addressed. There were also three good practice recommendations set, one of which has been fully met whilst the other two are still being worked on. Following this inspection, one new regulatory requirement is set in relation to safeguarding and two of the recommendations are remade.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child was moved on, unplanned, as the home could no longer meet his needs. Although this was a difficult time for the home resulting in spikes in behaviour and incidents staff did manage to help the child move on in the best way possible. The other two children moved successfully according to their plans. One to foster care with a previous staff member at the home and the other back home to his family. These were positive moves for the children. Planning for the transitions was detailed and effective and took into account the children’s different needs. Therefore three new children now live in the home since the last inspection. Staff welcome new children sensitively with visits beforehand. The social worker for one of the children confirmed that the move allowed her child to settle in well. Children’s health needs are better promoted in the home. Some children feel settled enough to engage with therapy. Staff now record more thoroughly and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

evidence through key working sessions with the children how they are achieving their health goals. Children continue to make progress educationally. Their attendance is significantly improved. Staff celebrate children’s achievements. This supports their learning and academic development. Contact continues to be well- promoted for all children. Children continue with age appropriate life skills such as cooking, especially breakfast, and cleaning. They engage well in a variety of activities such as Scouts, roller skating, swimming, sports and walks within the local area. Staff are developing effective relationships with the children through getting to know them and their interests. Staff complete records within a new format of placement plans, these require some time to embed to fully track progress for each child in the home. Children are now starting to engage with a revamped and creative meeting to ascertain their views and feelings about the running of the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home. This includes some time discussing how they are feeling. There have not been any incidences of children going missing from the home since the last inspection. Staff consistently promote positive behaviour. Children enjoy working towards their reward charts and learning to manage their own behaviour. The home’s environment is secure and keeps children safe, however, staff need to consistently check visitor identification in order to keep children safe in their home. A new workforce plan now outlines the staff structure and contains an evaluation of staff members’ skills and training needs. This supports the manager in their workforce planning in order to meet the statement of purpose as well as the needs of the children in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has consulted with children to produce a more child-friendly and informative children’s guide. There is a paper copy which has been shown to the children. During the inspection an online, more accessible and pictorial format was shown to the inspector. This had yet to be shown to the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A permanent Registered Manager remains at the home. He monitors the quality of the care, along with an external visitor, to learn from practice in the home. He ensures that partnership working is effective for the children and is in their best interests. Social workers are kept up-to-date with children’s progress and contact via monthly progress reports. The manager has been proactive with the neighbours in his community to build links and this has meant that the children benefit from local friendships as well as social networks.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for up to three young people and children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and managed by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

11/02/2014 Interim Satisfactory 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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard with particular reference to keeping children safe by checking the identification of visitors to the home, the registered person must ensure that staff: (2)(a)(v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. 29/01/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): Produce a children's guide that must be age appropriate, in an accessible format and explained to each child to make sure they understand it. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 24, paragraph 4.21)

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Recommendations

Support staff to understand the importance of records in encouraging the child to reflect on and understand their history, in particular, by including their progress within records. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.5)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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