Children's Home run by Moonreach LTD in Kent

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the full inspection in September 2015, the home has made significant progress in all areas of practice. Action has been taken to address the ten requirements made following the full inspection, and all but one of these, has been met. However, the home still needs to develop the assessment process prior to accepting new admissions.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Excellent progress has been made in relation to managing young people’s behaviour. Following a review of the behaviour management policy, individual behaviour management plans and associated strategies have become more effective. These are fully implemented in practice. Staff have taken specialist advice to ensure the plans reflect the circumstances and needs of the young person. As a result, there has been an overall improvement in young people’s behaviour. There have been no recent incidents of anti-social behaviour affecting the local community.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical restraint is only used as a last resort, and only when appropriate. It is undertaken by trained staff and detailed records of all incidents are maintained which are regularly monitored by the Registered Manager. Young people are given the opportunity to de-brief and reflect on incidents leading to a physical restraint, but records indicate they are not always asked if they require a medical examination following an incident.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

On one occasion a young person complained that a staff member used an inappropriate restraint technique, causing him pain. The young person’s social worker was informed, and an internal investigation was undertaken. However, the matter was not referred to the local authority designated officer.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The standard of risk assessments, particularly relating to protecting young people from harm, has improved. Risk assessments now take into account all known information about the young person’s background and particular vulnerabilities. This has ensured that comprehensive strategies for keeping young people safe are embedded in practice. Detailed guidance for staff is incorporated into the written strategies, and this ensures there is a consistent approach to managing and reducing risk.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the full inspection the Registered Manager has introduced a process for assessing the likely impact new admissions will have on the current residents, the local community and day-to-day life in the home. However, this process is not yet sufficiently developed to ensure minimal disruption. Impact assessments lack detail and insufficient consideration is given to how settled residents may be affected by the behaviour of others. Furthermore, the assessments do not thoroughly analyse how the circumstances and needs of new admissions could impact on the neighbours.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has overseen the implementation of a more robust approach to care planning. Detailed information is now obtained prior to a young person being admitted. This has ensured the individual needs of a young person are known before they come to the home. Care plans are therefore more focused on how these needs will be met. Records indicate that key-work sessions reflect what is written in the care plan, and are an effective way of helping young people make progress towards their identified targets.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The practice of routinely locking communal areas of the home at night has ended. Young people’s freedom of movement around the home is no longer inhibited, unless it is to ensure their safety and protect them from harm.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recruitment process for staff employed since the last inspection has been robust. All necessary background checks have been undertaken to ensure that unsuitable adults are not employed in the home. Satisfactory references have been obtained for all new staff, and the authenticity of these has been verified.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are able to access a wide range of relevant training courses. This now includes training on adolescent mental health, and the majority of staff have completed this course. Some minor shortfalls were identified in terms of staff completing refresher training, but the situation is being monitored. Overall, staff receive the training they need to effectively care for the young people.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Reports indicate that the independent person now consults parents as part of the monitoring process. This has ensured additional information is available when considering the quality of care being delivered.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition to the requirements made at the full inspection, a recommendation was made in respect of young people being able to address any concerns they may have through the home’s complaints process. Young people are now using this process more effectively to resolve any concerns they have regarding the care they receive. Good communication ensures young people are kept informed of how their complaint is progressing, and the outcome.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The overall improvement in practice at the home, particularly in relation to planning how the individual needs of young people will be met, has resulted in the home offering a stable and settled environment for young people. Positive, nurturing relationships develop between staff and young people who begin to make good progress in many aspects of their lives. Records indicate that a placing authority concluded that ‘the team have done really good work’ with a young person with particularly complex needs.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people regularly attend school, and those who have previously experienced disruption in their education are beginning to engage well. Young people who remain at the home over a prolonged period have significantly reduced the risk of becoming sexually exploited as a result of going missing. The guidance and care they have received means they are now safer and less likely to come to significant harm.

p.4

Information about this children's home

This privately owned children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for a maximum of 2 young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The organisation has two other children’s homes.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

14/11/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

p.6

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, with particular reference to assessing the impact new admissions may have on the quality of care being delivered, the registered person must:

p.6

Requirement Due date

(2)(f) understand the impact that the quality of care is having on the progress and experiences of each child, and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. 01/05/2016

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. Specifically, ensure the local authority designated offer, or equivalent, is informed of any allegations made against members of staff. (Regulation 40 (4) (c)) 01/05/2016

p.6

Recommendations

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

p.6

Recommendations

Ensure any child who has been restrained is given the opportunity to express their feelings about their experience of the restraint; specifically, ensure children and young people are given the opportunity to be medically examined following a physical restraint. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 50, paragraph 9.60)

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

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

p.8