Children's Home run by Compass Children’s Homes Kent 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

The Registered Manager has effectively addressed all requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new development plan for the home highlights areas for improvement. Clear action plans include completion dates and assign staff responsible. Monthly development plan reviews ensure that identified development is effectively actioned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The introduction of record keeping training builds staff ability in effective recording. This means that children’s records are clear, up to date and well ordered, making information easily accessible should children wish to view their records.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The visitors’ book is now utilised consistently, enhancing safeguarding within the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recent independence risk assessments for children take account of their needs and developmental stage, enabling them to take age appropriate risks and develop their independence skills safely. A strong emphasis on safeguarding underpins ongoing links between the home and local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). PCSO’s visit the home regularly and provide safety training and advice to children, most recently in respect of online safety and ‘stranger danger’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring within the home has improved; newly introduced management ‘spot checks’ augment regular internal and independent monitoring providing additional quality assurance. Quality of care reviews deliver holistic management monitoring and oversight, however, there has been delay in submitting these reports to Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Regular progress review meetings inform the monitoring of children’s development. While this leads to a solid understanding of the child, information does not link directly into action planning for children’s ongoing progress. Current monitoring systems make it difficult to identify whether children have received the support they require to meet their needs; their progress is reliant upon proactive and responsive staff rather than effective management monitoring.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s progress and outcomes since the previous inspection are consistently good. Children’s placements are stable; there have been no children placed or moved on since the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All children attend education full-time and they are making good educational progress. Structured daily homework time provides each child with individual learning support from staff. One child is transitioning from specialist provision to mainstream education; others have achieved significant increases in educational attainment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide proactive support of children’s health and ensure they receive the specialist health services they require; as a result, their health improves. Children are encouraged to lead a healthy and active lifestyle; previously disengaged children are now engaging in clubs and activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home promotes positive behaviour; sanctions imposed have an emphasis on learning and restorative justice. The use of physical intervention has increased since the previous inspection; management analysis links this with issues in children’s lives resulting in unsettled emotions and behaviour. Any physical intervention occurs only after de-escalation has failed; it is to regulation and includes children’s comment and careful management oversight.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff manage issues of bullying effectively; all issues of bullying have been at school, there are no reports of bullying within the home. Complaints are infrequent. Where made, they receive effective management investigation and resolution.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been six incidents of children missing since the previous inspection, children’s missing response plans are effective and result in clear strategies of action to keep children safe. On return, all incidents of missing have resulted in return home interviews with the placing authority. There has been one incident of offending, which, with the support of the home and police, has resulted in community resolution along with engagement with an early intervention scheme to avert further offending.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective reporting of all allegations and safeguarding issues to the relevant authorities mean that these issues are resolved effectively. The Registered Manager has proactive links with the local safeguarding children board; her safeguarding knowledge, and that of the staff team, is up to date and includes child sexual exploitation, online safety and radicalisation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved staff continuity since the previous inspection increases the opportunity for children to develop relationships with trusted adults. Children said ‘staff are nice’, ‘they help me with my homework and we have fun activities and bike rides’ and ‘my keyworker has helped me to learn about keeping safe’. The inspector observed warm and caring relationships between children and staff during the inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Education is available on site. Therapy is available to children and young people if required.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/01/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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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

Ensure the registered person supplies to HMCI a copy of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed (Regulation 45(4)(a)) 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must: (2)(f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of care provided in the home 31/03/2016

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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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