Children's home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Thanet

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding 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

One recommendation was made at the previous inspection. The manager has completed a detailed review of the home’s practices around potentially restrictive measures, such as the locking of specific doors and areas. Children now enjoy improved freedom of movement within their home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to be very well supported and looked after in accordance with their presenting and changing needs. A stable and experienced staff team understand the importance of creating and sustaining meaningful and trusting relationships with children who have experienced traumatic life events.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection in October 2015, some children have very successfully moved on. Examples include children returning to their birth families and a child moving to a more specialist service which is deemed to better meet their needs. The Registered Manager is quick to recognise when individual children need to leave; she is a strong and pro-active advocate in this regard.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Placements since the last inspection are based on sound assessment practices. Children are only accepted once the staff team has rigorously reviewed the presenting information and considered the impact of new children upon those currently living in the home. During this inspection, children were excitedly asking questions about a ‘new’ child, due to move in soon and this was very sensitively managed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s achievements and educational progress continues to be a driving force. The established routines of the completion of homework upon arriving home from school remain in place. New children very quickly pick up on this ethos from their peers and learn that the completion of homework is simply an expectation. This is a strong example of peer pressure at its best.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are successfully managing challenging behaviour. Instances of the use of physical restraint continue to decline. Staff are good at deploying de-escalation techniques and avoid physical intervention wherever possible. However, it was noted that a newly placed child’s risk factors and difficult behaviours are becoming more apparent. Although staff are able to demonstrate their understanding, there is a delay in sufficiently capturing these changes within prescriptive risk assessments and behaviour management plans. Consequently, a recommendation is made to ensure this information is dynamically updated to ensure that staff consistently give the same messages to children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strong deputising arrangements ensure the smooth and efficient running of the home in the Registered Manager’s absence. During this visit, her attendance at a pre-scheduled appointment did not hinder the inspection. Indeed, the senior residential worker demonstrated an insightful and informative knowledge with regards to all of the children, their current needs and how these are being met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One new staff member has joined the team. Their on-going induction is described as being, ‘supportive, rigorous’ and ‘giving me time to really get to know the children in a safe way.’ Existing staff members are keen to ensure that new staff quickly learn and understand the nurturing culture of this home. With this in mind, the Registered Manager is updating the home’s statement of purpose in order to better capture and reflect its ethos and practices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to commend the care they receive. During this visit comments from children included ‘I’m glad you said our home is outstanding last time’ and ‘I like living here because the adults really care about me’.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for a maximum of six children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. In accordance with its statement of purpose, the home specifically accommodates boys.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 have the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. Specifically ensuring that individual risk assessments and behaviour management plans are regularly reviewed and updated. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 43, paragraph 9.12).

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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

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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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