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

Children are overwhelmingly positive about their home. They feel safe. They eagerly describe the activities they are involved in like trampoline club and junior gym. A child said ‘I have learnt to swim since being here, I like swimming. We go every week. I like keeping fit.’ Another said, ‘it’s fun here, I like the stuff that we do.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children make good progress across all aspects of their lives. Education attendance is good. Children’s health needs are well-known by staff and appropriately responded to. This includes liaison and consultation with child and adolescent mental health services. A child said ‘I feel I am less angry since I moved here.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to maintain and develop relationships with family members and those important to them. Staff members’ enthusiasm means that all the children engage well in varied structured activities. These include trips to the science museum in London, mountain biking and beach hikes. These provide children with varied experiences and promote their physical health. Children undertake life skills as appropriate to their age. They help cook and do household chores. This helps them become more confident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical intervention is implemented as a last resort. The numbers of holds is reducing. For example, there were nine restraints in December 2015 and three in January 2016. Staff maintain clear and consistent boundaries. Children receive de- briefs and key worker time to reflect on incidents. This successfully helps children positively modify their behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no safeguarding referrals, complaints or missing episodes since the previous inspection. Dynamics between the children are closely supervised by staff members. Any bullying or racist comments are challenged immediately. Individual key working takes place with all parties involved to address and discuss these events. Input from a local community police officer with the children focuses on respect and friendship. Children responded well to this approach and incidents have reduced. Partnership working is strong. Placing social workers speak positively about the quality of care given. One said ‘[child] is a changed child. It’s amazing.’ Another commented ‘my working relationship with the manager and with staff members is very good and we maintain clear communication in regards to [child].’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been no changes to children placed in the home since the previous inspection. Changes in the staff team mean that all ‘hands on’ staff are now male. The statement of purpose has not been revised to demonstrate how positive female role models will be promoted in children’s day-to-day care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Reports are produced for each child’s statutory review meeting. These are comprehensive. They reflect children’s progress and achievements. One report sampled contained a paragraph of misleading information. This had not been identified as inaccurate through internal quality assurance systems prior to the meeting.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s development plan is regularly reviewed. Targets achieved include the on-going redecoration of the home. Key working has also been developed. Sessions now regularly include positive praise for children’s accomplishments and behaviour. This provides children with consistent support and commendation which helps build their self-esteem.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and behavioural needs. It is managed and run by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2014 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

The registered person must compile in relation to the children's home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1; in particular how the home promotes appropriate role models of both sexes. (Regulation 16(1)) 18/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure staff understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. Ensure staff record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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

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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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