Children's Home run by Little Acorns London Beach Farm 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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children with complex needs are making significant progress at the home. Through consistent, predictable care and therapeutic interventions tailored to their specific needs, children's behaviour is improving. They are developing a more positive view of themselves and the skills to regulate their emotions and behaviour. They are demonstrating reduced levels of anxiety and are making attachments. Transitions for children leaving and entering the home are well-planned. Care plans are extremely detailed providing excellent guidance to ensure all staff implement well thought out strategies to provide children with a sense of safety and security. Children who have recently moved into the home are showing considerable progress in a short period of time in areas such as language and personal hygiene. Their health is improving as they benefit from a nutritious diet. Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has introduced a more structured

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and integrated approach to therapeutic interventions within the home. A range of therapies, delivered by qualified and experienced practitioners, is available. Children receive effective and measurable interventions to reduce their worries and promote positive outcomes. Therapists provide regular training and consultation for staff to extend their knowledge and understanding of therapeutic approaches. This ensures they are providing support tailored to each child’s needs. Children are benefiting from this focus on therapeutic interventions and from the support of enthusiastic and committed staff. They are showing improvement through reductions in physical aggression and lower levels of anxiety. Managers and staff work proactively with external agencies, particularly with specialist health agencies, to ensure the psychological support offered to children is specific to their needs. Assessments provided by Great Ormond Street Hospital

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have provided valuable information from which staff and therapists plan psychological treatment and interventions. Children’s care and support is thus carefully and thoughtfully considered in the light of expert assessments and recommendations. Positive behaviour plans provide detailed guidance for staff to manage children’s difficult and challenging behaviour. Staff receive frequent training to enable them to safely manage outbursts of physical aggression resulting from young people’s emotional difficulties. The Registered Manager closely monitors such incidents. Consequently, incidents involving physical intervention are reducing. Staff are skilled in using de-escalation strategies and children respond positively to the home’s therapeutic approach. Staff provide a safe environment for children where they develop a sense of safety, protection and trust in the adults who care for them. Since the last inspection, there have been management changes at the home. The

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

current Registered Manager is changing position to become the Registered Individual. A new manager has been appointed who is currently applying to Ofsted for registration. This new structure will strengthen oversight of the home and promote continuous improvement. The home has undergone extensive refurbishment to the outside of the building with plans for further improvements to the interior. Children enjoy living at the home and engage actively in education, therapy and a wide range of leisure activities. The Registered Manager has addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection. Staff are receiving regular supervision allowing them to reflect on their practice and discuss dynamics within the staff team and issues affecting the group of young people. A programme of annual appraisal is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private organisation that provides an independent school for children at the home on the same site. The home specialises in the care and accommodation of children with disorganised attachment disorder, autistic spectrum disorder, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, global development delay, cognitive delay and speech and language difficulties. The home offers a 24 hour therapeutic curriculum to support specialist therapies.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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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