Children's Home run by Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities 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 requirements made at the last inspection have been met. Two requirements were made in relation to an annexe used for young people who stay for short breaks. The Registered Manager has completed a risk assessment and personal evacuation plans. Waking night staff now stay in the building to ensure young people’s safety in the event of a fire.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation in regards to regular key work sessions has been met. Key working sessions address young people’s individual needs and help them to build positive relationships with staff. Staff use a range of communication methods to seek young people’s views and enable them to make choices. For example, pointing to ‘happy’ and ‘sad’ signs, the use of picture exchange cards and facial expressions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Restraints rarely occur; incidents are recorded, evaluated and analysed. However, one restraint was not recorded fully. The Registered Manager recognised this oversight and addressed this issue.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have good relationships with staff who interact well with them. Staff were observed to be attentive to young people’s needs. One staff member reported ‘I love working here, it is like a family, the young people are great, the staff are great’. One young person was asked what she would like to change about the service, she replied ‘can you ask [The Registered Manager] if I can stay again because I really like it here and want to come back to see my friends’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person raised money for a charity; her certificate is displayed in the communal area for all to see. Young people enjoy a range of activities within the community, for example, swimming, ice-skating and pantomimes. This increases their confidence in social situations and encourages a sense of community. Staff promote young people’s culture through key work sessions, resident’s meetings and ensuring they adhere to religious traditions and festivals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Resident’s meetings are a strong mechanism for young people to share their views. They make clear choices using their personal communication methods. For example, some of the young people reported that the food was too spicy; this was fed back to the cook and changes made to menus. The meetings are used to inform young people of changes taking place within the home, such as staff movements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager leads a committed team. Records demonstrate safe recruitment processes. Successful applicants have a robust induction, including shadowing opportunities and mentoring from experienced staff. The Registered Manager ensures only suitably experienced staff work with young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager chairs team meetings which constructively challenge practice and address areas that need improvement. Supervision is evaluative; the Registered Manager promotes staffs’ personal development and encourages staff to reflect on their practice. One member of staff reported ‘she discusses issues like how I am feeling, any changes I would like to see and any training needs I have’. However, supervision sessions have not been in line with the statement of purpose or company policy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Admission processes are robust, the manager completes an assessment, devises a comprehensive care plan, behaviour management plans and risk assessments prior to admission. She consults with specialist health professionals to ensure young people have the specialist equipment needed. She agrees transition plans tailored to the young person’s needs. For example, introductions to the home for one young person is planned over a month, including home visits, tea visits and overnight stays. This ensures that the young person is comfortable in the home and staff are familiar with the young person’s needs prior to him living there full time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff foster good relationships with young people’s families. Parents speak favourably about the effect that staff have on their child. One parent said ‘he has developed at the home, his behaviour is better; he has stopped biting people and can tolerate his peers’. Staff keep parents and carers informed about any changes verbally and by written records at the end of each short break stay. A parent said ‘staff are absolutely amazing’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good progress in the home. One young person has made a positive transition to a new foster placement; another young person is able to tolerate her gastrostomy tube. A Social Worker reported ‘the young person used to pull her tube out all the time, this has completely stopped now, this is an amazing achievement’.

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Information about this children's home

The children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three children under short break arrangements and for a further six children/adults who live in the home. Facilities are in place to meet the needs of children who have either physical disabilities, learning disabilities or both. It is operated by a local charitable foundation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

31/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2014 Interim Satisfactory progress

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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

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

13(1) In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must enable, inspire and lead a culture in relation to the children's home that-

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, requires the registered person to -

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Requirement Due date

(a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes set out in the home's statement of purpose, in relation to the frequency of supervision. 20/05/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): Ensure agency staff meet the requirements in regulation (32)(4) regarding mandatory qualifications. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 54, paragraph 10.16)

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Recommendations

Ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure their use is fair. This is in relation to recording incidents of restraint as such. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 46, paragraph 9.36).

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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

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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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