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 Sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has effectively addressed all requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has now identified and provided a specific learning area for young people to undertake private study and homework. Key working and one-to-one working has been reviewed ensuring greater focus and evaluation of young people’s school work within the home. All schools have been contacted and the home has established homework monitoring routines for all young people; they continue to make good progress both in their attendance and achievements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new alarm system is being installed providing automatic opening of the front door in the event of a fire. While this is being completed staff are ensuring that the front door can be opened freely by young people, visitors and staff in the event of an evacuation. All internal doors to communal areas are accessible providing young people with a more homely environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The buildings fire plan however does not accurately indicate the location of firefighting equipment and installations. This weakens effective evaluation of the fire planning and prevention strategies. While this shortfall was temporarily addressed immediately a full inventory is necessary to ensure the health and safety needs of young people, staff and visitors are fully met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have been consulting young people on the decoration of the home and together they have chosen new pictures and decor. This has resulted in a bright and homely atmosphere. Young people spoke proudly about the home and how they had taken part in its decoration.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people better understand risks and how to protect themselves through open and frank discussions with staff. Young people are able to ask questions, engage in their risk planning and gain important insights into keeping themselves safe. Risk assessments are individualised ensuring that any interventions to safeguard them are proportionate to their needs and take into consideration their wishes. Young people are encouraged to go out into the community, to form and develop friendships and use local facilities. To ensure this is done safely the home carries out a community risk assessment, liaising and seeking advice from the police and other community services. Young people are, therefore, better protected and gain increased independence while learning about risks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have high expectations of young people; they work hard to identify appropriate schools and engage well with professionals to promote education, as a result young people who previously refused school now attend regularly and typically 100% of the time. Some who were previously not going to be entered for GCSEs, are now registered with encouraging grades predicted. One young person commented ‘I didn't go to school before, because there was too much going on in my life, now I attend all the time and I enjoy it’. A Social Worker commented ‘this home has made remarkable progress, encouraging and engaging the young person back into school. They have never been this settled before, the home has been amazing’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are working towards independency and are actively engaged in learning and developing new skills that will benefit them in the future. Young people invest well in this process; they are gaining self-confidence and achieving goals. One young person stated, ‘I've learnt to cook and plan meals, and I couldn't do that before’. Young people are encouraged to develop their interests; one young person is learning carpentry, another keeping fit by using the local gym.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are committed to helping young people develop, learn about themselves and their cultures. One young person is learning the language of his country of origin; this helps him connect to his history and culture. The manager understands the importance of helping young people maintain contact. Young people that previously had fragmented contact, now have regular contact with their families and friends.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be stable and harmonious with staff and young people developing warm and respectful relationships. One young person stated, ‘it is just like living in a family’ another said, ‘I'm never bored, there’s always things to do and staff are always there for me’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say that they feel able to influence decisions about the home and their care, they feel listened to and know that their opinions are important. Following consultation the home is completing the building of a cinema in the basement of the home, the young people spoke excitedly about this addition to their home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective quality assurance by the manager and independent visitor ensures that the home continues to develop services in order to best meet young people's needs. Both the staff and the Registered Manager are committed to ensuring the voice of young people is at the centre of any plans.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is operated by a private company which has a small number of similar homes in the area. It is registered to accommodate up to three young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The company also has a school which young people may attend.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. In particular ensure that the fire plan accurately provides the location of firefighting equipment. (Regulation 25 (1) (a)) 20/03/2016

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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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