Children's home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd 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

At the last inspection in December 2015 two recommendations were made; plans have been approved for the refurbishment of the kitchen, including relocating it to another area in the house. This change will provide a larger kitchen facility and a much more homely environment. This will allow for young people to prepare their own meals alongside staff preparing meals for those not on independence programmes. Work is to start in April 2016. The relocation of the kitchen will provide a new ‘hub’ in the home for staff and young people to meet and talk. This will provide a more inclusive meal time experience for the young people. It is commendable that the service has responded to the recommendation in a very timely manner with considerable financial input.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the manager is now registered with Ofsted. He has settled in extremely well, has the support of his staff team and has already made a positive impact on both staff and young people. The Registered Manager and Responsible Individual meet regularly for support and monitoring purposes. Auditing of the service continues to be effective and inform future development plans. These include the kitchen upgrade, redecoration of some communal areas, staff training and re-organisation of records.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make very good, and in some cases excellent, progress with their education. High levels of support and highly effective communication between the school and residential staff allows young people to feel staff know them well, really do care about them, this helps keep them safe. Young people settle in quickly and soon develop trusting relationships with the staff team. This enables them to make significant progress in a short period of time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to have many avenues to raise concerns and voice their views. Complaints are very low in number, taken seriously, investigated and result in good outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager continues to develop further links with outside agencies and pro-actively works in partnership with them. Such agencies include virtual head teachers, local community police officers, a charity specialising in child sexual exploitation support, the Prevent Duty police team and educational welfare professionals. This ensures the correct support is provided to young people and they can continue to make good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding procedures continue to be implemented to a very high standard. The Registered Manager ensures staff are suitably trained and up to date with the risks posed to young people. In turn staff are very capable and extremely well informed of how to identify risks and refer to the correct agency. This ensures maximum protection for young people. Allegations are managed quickly, robustly and in accordance with organisational and local procedures. The good communication and liaison with external safeguarding agencies and police ensure correct action is taken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The location of the home is continually risk assessed and does not pose any increased risks. Individual risk assessments for child sexual exploitation and gang participation form part of individual care plans. All incidents of young people going missing are managed extremely well by the staff team. The team have received praise from the local police in regards to their management of missing persons. Actual numbers of such incidents are very low.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff deliver high standards of care that results in young people making excellent progress in their behaviours, education and emotional well-being. In addition, they make very good progress in gaining life skills. Safeguarding practices are strong and young people feel safe in the home and when out in the community. Young people enjoy the staff’s company and say this is a good home; ‘I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else’ said one young person.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is privately run and part of a larger company with other similar homes. It is registered to accommodate and provide care for up to seven young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD).

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

07/03/2014 Interim Satisfactory progress

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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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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