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 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

A previous recommendation to reduce the number of staff changes within the home has been met. Although some changes have occurred, the impact of these has been minimised through maintaining a consistent approach by overseeing senior staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, the Registered Manager has left. A structured handover to a new manager took place. This individual left the organisation after a few weeks. Young people and staff were supported by the area manager while another managerial candidate was sought. The current manager joined the home in January 2016. Through regular hands-on shifts, she has successfully familiarised herself with the young people and staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to have positive experiences living in this home. They make progress across all aspects of their lives. Attachments are maintained with family members. Staff facilitate and supervise contact as required. Good quality records capture these visits. Young people continue to take part in age appropriate life skills, such as cooking, laundry and shopping. This helps prepare them for adulthood. Young people maintain full attendance at school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people engage in wide-ranging activities. Within the local community, they go swimming, to the skate park, trampoline club, take walks and play football in nearby parks. Events such as Halloween are celebrated through parties. Associated decorations are made by young people to display around their home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Personal health needs are fully met. Routine health check-ups are attended as required. Physical activity and balanced diets are well-promoted. Regular access to therapy supports the emotional needs of young people. They make good progress in managing complex and challenging behaviours through this therapeutic approach. Effective partnership working with the child and adolescent mental health service continues. For example, one young person has reduced their reliance on medication. This has positively impacted on their alertness and concentration levels. Young people share their views through regular meetings. They decide the menus and keenly influence the activities. Through choosing their own clothing, they show their individual identity and personalities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between young people and staff are warm. Staff know the young people extremely well. They anticipate potential triggers for negative behaviour. Consistent, appropriate strategies are applied. Through this approach, such behaviours are successfully minimalised. This helps young people access the local community as anxieties are lessened.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of physical restraint in the home is reducing overall. Staff dynamically identify patterns and trends in behaviours shown. No sanctions have been imposed since the previous inspection. Reward charts successfully engage young people in reaching their personalised goals. This is reinforced by positive praise given throughout daily interactions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No young person has been reported missing from this home for over two years. Bullying is not identified as an issue. There have been no safeguarding incidents or serious events since the previous inspection. Senior managers demonstrate good awareness of relevant safeguarding procedures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A placing Social Worker commented that the home has ‘honest staff who focus on achievable outcomes and goals for [child]’, and ‘staff take a person-centred approach, and [child] has progressed well.’ New staff who join the team undertake training and a structured orientation into the organisation and home. Two shifts were identified when new staff were shift leading prior to the successful completion of their induction training. This leaves staff members who are unfamiliar with organisational policies and practice in charge.

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Information about this children's home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 Interim Improved 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 any staff member in a deputy or supervisory role such as 'shift leader' have substantial relevant experience of working in a children's home and have successfully completed their induction for the home in which they are employed. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54, paragraph 10.21)

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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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