Children's Home run by Pilgrims Corner Limited in Kent

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 Sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendations from the last inspection have been fully addressed. The Registered Manager has taken steps to improve recording of staff supervision, obtain young people’s views and demonstrate the impact of placements through the matching process.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Matching for admissions has improved through increased consultation with young people and staff. Shortfalls in matching prior to admission are now specifically highlighted and placements do not proceed where needs cannot be successfully met. The manager commented, ‘if a placement is not right for the existing young people, staff or our skills base, the placement does not proceed’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Supervision records are well presented, they detail the practice discussions, the support staff receive, and provide a narrative of the staff members’ development. Staff say that they feel supported by the process and use this learning to influence and improve their practice. One example included discussion about behaviour management and staff developing appropriate strategies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s views are now clearly articulated in house meetings, key working sessions and through the use of a suggestion box. Managers have responded to their views, examples include a wider choice of activities, increased personalisation of the home and redecoration of bedrooms.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to be well looked after by staff who understand their individual needs and help them meet the goals set in their care plans. Staff understand the importance of engaging with young people and promoting their welfare. Staff and young people work together; they develop trusting, respectful relationships, which help young people to develop their self-confidence. This results in young people sharing experiences and feelings openly with staff and seeking staff guidance and advice. Since the last inspection in November 2015, one young person has been placed in the home. One young person stated that the most important aspect of the home for them was, ‘the way staff care about me and put me first’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective planning and assessment helped the young person settle and she is progressing beyond previous expectations. Discussion between the inspector, young people and family members confirmed that co-operative and supportive relationships have been established enabling care planning goals to be met, improving outcomes for young people. One family member commented ‘this home has worked really hard; they have provided a stable and homely environment her behaviour has improved remarkably’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Where young people have previously had high numbers of missing episodes the home has worked well, engaging and working closely with them to encourage alternate behaviours. This has been achieved through key working which has helped young people understand the dangers that going missing presents. One young person, who had previously gone missing several times a week, has not been missing for many months. She now has greater understanding of the risks and as a result is safer and better protected. One young person commented, ‘I used to run away all the time, I don't need to run away from this home, staff are always here for me and they help me when I get cross or feel like running away’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have developed insights into young people’s behaviours through training and discussions in supervision. This has enabled them to support young people effectively, develop effective strategies and to manage challenging behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of education, they successfully promote young people's achievements and attendance. Very close daily contact is maintained with schools through contact books, daily reports and conversations. This enables schools and the home to work in partnership and effectively drive young people's education forward. One young person, who had previously had very poor attendance at school, has attended daily since placement. School reports demonstrate good progress and comments from the teachers such as ‘great day’, ‘worked brilliantly’; pleasantly complement the recent educational achievements in core subjects.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are working closely with the child and adolescent mental health services who are providing essential support in a particular case. Staff have shown great tenacity and perseverance to obtain services young people need. This demonstrates the staff's ability to work with community services and provide the necessary advocacy for young people.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered for two for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (EBD). The home is privately owned and is one of four within the organisation. The home is located within a small town within easy access to all local services and facilities. The organisation also own a school which some young people may access.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

04/02/2015 Interim Sustained 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

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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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