Children's Home run by Channels and Choices Kent LLP in Kent

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last 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

An accomplished Registered Manager leads this home with commitment to maintaining high standards. A stable and consistent staff team that know and understand the needs of children placed provide care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two recommendations made at the previous inspection are effectively implemented. A review and updating of the missing from home policy ensures it now clarifies the procedure for return home interviews. In addition, new consultation forms enable children to contribute feedback for staff annual appraisals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children placed are all making good progress. They attend full time education; the home demonstrates good partnership working with children’s schools to maximise their educational engagement and progress. Children attend clubs and activities according to their interests. They receive the health services that they need, including specialist services as required. The home works proactively with children’s parents and effectively supports contact.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Dedicated staff form meaningful relationships with children. One member of staff said ‘we have a good mix of staff and children all have a member of staff they feel comfortable taking to; relationships are really good’. Observation during the inspection was of staff sensitively meeting children’s needs, with evidence of child centred practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transition of children into and on from the home is, wherever possible, planned at the child’s pace. Thorough matching processes mean that only children whose needs the home can meet are placed, promoting stability for all children. Staff maintain contact with children who move on and work in partnership with new carers to promote successful transitions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Clear safeguarding processes protect children. Staff safeguarding training is up to date and includes child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and online safety. There have been no safeguarding concerns or children missing since the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management plans meet each child’s individual needs. A qualified therapist provides regular consultation to staff and guides the therapeutic approach to care. Staff value this input, one member of staff said, ‘the therapeutic input helps staff to see each child according to their needs rather than their biological age, this helps in managing children’s care and thinking about where children are coming from’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All sanction and restraint use is appropriate, with accompanying thorough and reflective recording. Records include children’s comment and careful management oversight. Children know how to complain; there have been no complaints since the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The building is well maintained and homely. All children’s bedrooms are well decorated and furnished according to their personal taste. Communal areas are spacious and are well equipped with age appropriate toys and activities. Communal wall decoration includes an interactive blackboard, information about children’s identity and heritage and certificates of children’s progress and achievement. Regular maintenance and redecoration ensures that the home environment is to an exceptional standard.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for no more than four young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. Therapeutic and educational services are available. A partnership company runs the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

04/03/2015 Interim Improved 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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