Children's Home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd 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 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 have been tenacious in advocating for young people to ensure they have appropriate education provision. All young people have up to date educational plans, which are being used effectively to support their learning. Home tuition is being provided for one young person who was refusing school. This is helping by providing routines and structure until a new school is identified.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation was made in relation to helping young people increase awareness of their individual cultures. The home researches family trees to locate relatives and make contact with extended family members. Staff help young people find out about their backgrounds, family composition and heritage. This has resulted in young people gaining a better understanding of their histories and provided them with opportunities to research their backgrounds further.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff form and maintain trusting relationships which are valued by young people. As a result young people gain the confidence to express their views, wishes and feelings. Young people spoke about the warmth and respect that they are shown from staff, one young person described staff as ‘caring, loving and always there for you’. The home is harmonious; young people are sensitively guided. Staff use humour to challenge and effectively defuse situations. There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three additional staff have joined the team recently. As a result young people are provided with additional one to one time; they can follow their personal interests and hobbies. One young person commented, ‘there are always staff around, you can meet with and talk to staff whenever you want and I use this time to share my feelings’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have listened to young people’s views and a new games/recreational room has been created. The room has a new TV and video games and it is pleasant space bringing young people together into a family atmosphere. Young people expressed a wish to have double beds and these have now been provided. Young people proudly presented their bedrooms, one young person commented, ‘I love it’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have used team meetings and supervision to discuss online risks for young people and new training programs have been introduced. Staff training provides increased knowledge, develops insight and enables them to develop improved awareness of risk and how to help keep young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people had frequent episodes of going missing and running away prior to moving to the home; behaviour that has reduced or ceased while in this home. One young person commented ‘why would anyone run away from here, it’s great living here’. Staff maintain a stable environment in which young people feel able to engage in changing their behaviour. Staff use reward charts and praise; effectively giving young people a sense of achievement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One staff member explained that staff really get to know young people, this allows them to develop individualised strategies to work with them, encourage them to express their views and to share worries.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager provides a consistent model of good leadership; she is highly motivated and offers good support of the staff and young people. Oversight of staff practice and robust quality assurance results in successful monitoring which drives the development of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective community liaison with stakeholders ensures young people receive the specific support when necessary. Examples of this include the provision of targeted education and health services.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to accommodate up to seven young people who may have emotional and behavioural disorders. In practice it has accommodated no more than six, but retains the higher overall numbers. The home is operated by a small local provider which has other similar homes in the vicinity and it 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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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 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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