Children's home run by Compass Children’s Homes Kent Limited in Dover

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

All recommendations from the previous inspection are effectively actioned. Improved systems to listen to and respond to young people include a newly designed young people’s complaint form and a prominently located wishes and feelings box. There is evidence of young people sharing their views and ideas and receiving appropriate management response. The allocation of a member of staff to monitor and oversee young people’s feedback ensures their views are effectively considered and they receive timely response.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved safeguarding means that all staff now have training in identifying and responding to radicalisation concerns. A new radicalisation policy guides reporting under the Prevent agenda. There are no concerns of radicalisation of young people placed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s missing policy has been reviewed and is in line with the missing protocol of placing authorities. There have been no young people missing since the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s placements are stable and they are all making good progress. A social worker said ‘the staff team are meeting the needs of the young person. They have him as the focus and have given him 100%. Working with the home has been very good’. Young people have made significant achievements in education. One has received no school sanctions, only rewards; another has undertaken the main role in the school play. All young people are in good health and are engaging effectively with in-house therapy. They undertake activities in line with their interests including horse riding, football, cooking and numerous local daytrips. Staff support contact proactively and parents give positive feedback. One parent said ‘I’m getting informed every day, the staff are so friendly. I think the home is making a difference’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between young people and staff are very positive. One young person said ‘the place is good; the adults are nice they listen to me. They are kind, all of them, they have respect’. A therapist said ‘relationships between staff and young people are strong and fun. There is a good quality of emotional understanding and patience. Young people can speak to staff openly and there is clarity in their relationships’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager demonstrates drive and commitment to continually improving the home. Staff give consistent positive feedback of the improvement she brings to the home. One member of staff said ‘under the new manager the home’s better than it’s ever been’. Another said ‘I feel that I’ve learnt a lot under new leadership, we are more confident and we’re still making improvements’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is an excellent commitment to safeguarding; allegations and child protection concerns receive effective responses. The Registered Manager has recently taken the role of child sexual exploitation (CSE) champion for the Kent local safeguarding children board. Staff safeguarding training is up to date and includes CSE, online safety, radicalisation, gangs and trafficked children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management in the home is effective. Sanctions are appropriate and contain young people’s comment and effective oversight. Any use of physical intervention is well recorded and receives thorough management review. All staff have undertaken recent de-escalation training. Alongside this, information for young people about the legal use of restraint maximises safeguarding within the home. A Social Worker said ‘they tell me about any incidents and have only used restraint once; we thought we would need this a lot’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of bullying are uncommon, wherever they occur staff swiftly and effectively intervene to address issues. There have been no complaints since the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment is well presented and homely with evidence of effective and timely ongoing maintenance.

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Information about this children's home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 10 children and young people who have emotional or behavioural difficulties. Therapy is available to all children and young people if required. There is a registered school on site, with additional educational facilities in a linked setting nearby.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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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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