Children's home run by Kent County Council in Ashford

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 manager has been in post since August 2015. He is a strong leader with the necessary experience, knowledge and skills to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. Staff report ‘the manager really listens and takes on board any ideas or any issues we have and responds to them’. The manager regularly monitors the quality of care provided. He has a thorough understanding of activity within the home, the young people who use the service and staff performance. Monitoring reports are detailed, address areas of weakness and set goals for ongoing improvement. Senior staff record, monitor and review incidents to evaluate emerging issues as well as respond to safeguarding concerns. Staff have an excellent understanding of safeguarding, including child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. The safeguarding policy, however, is not clear. The manager reported an incident to a young person’s Social Worker and Team

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Manager but not the local designated safeguarding officer. The incident was investigated thoroughly and lessons learnt were implemented throughout the service; this did not affect the wellbeing of the young person. Inter-agency working is strong. The home has close links with schools. Staff liaise with individual schools effectively. Good communication means that issues are shared promptly. The manager has forged good relationships with stakeholders. A Social Worker said ‘I am really pleased with the service; they work with the families to ensure there is consistency of care’. A parent reported ‘I couldn’t praise them enough, my child loves going’. Another parent said ‘my child goes there happy and comes back happy, she knows all the staff well’. Young people enjoy warm, nurturing relationships with staff. They are encouraged to participate in a range of activities within the home and out in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The ‘teenage group’ enjoyed a recent trip kayaking, young people make god use of the facilities in the home, for example, the spa, sensory room and ball pool. Staff adhere to comprehensive care plans to ensure that young people make measurable progress. For example, one young person was able to tolerate using a hair dryer by following small steps to achieve this goal. Two young people proudly showed the inspector out of the building using fobs that allow them greater access within the home. They earned this additional responsibility by meeting set goals. Consultations with young people are a strength of the home. Initiatives like a board to record, ‘what have you done to make yourself proud’ recognise achievements and stimulate conversations. All young people contribute to children’s meetings, which are recorded in a colourful, child-focused book. Young people are consulted about issues important to them, for example, which entrance

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

they prefer to use on admission and requests for additional play equipment. Staff discuss social topics, such as personal safety and healthy living. Staff gain young people’s views using a range of communication methods including objects of reference and computer communication systems. Staff celebrate achievements by displaying photographs of young people holding their certificates awarded. Comprehensive care plans inform staff of young people’s needs, effective interventions and behaviour management. Staff discuss young people in depth at team meetings. Strategies agreed inform reviews of behaviour plans and risk assessments, which are agreed with parents at the beginning of each stay. Positive handling is rarely used; however, some records need more information about the reason for its use and evaluation of alternative approaches. Staff’s attempts to seek young people’s views were not clearly recorded, this means that their input

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

cannot be analysed to improve practice. Staff were observed to use a positive praise approach and clear expectations with young people. Young people learn independence skills taking into account their age and ability. This successfully supports them to move on to the next stage of their lives. Thorough plans ensure that future placements have detailed information to ensure a successful matching process and transition. The manager has addressed the recommendations made at the last inspection. Staff are receiving regular supervision allowing them to reflect on their practice, discuss staffing issues and matters affecting young people.

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Information about this children's home

The home is jointly funded by the health authority and the local authority. The home provides six residential places for children and young people who have physical disabilities and/or learning difficulties. It is fully equipped to meet the needs of the children and young people who require short break care.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

18/02/2014 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

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children's needs are met

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the engaging with the wider system quality standard, the registered person must, and must ensure that the staff (d) seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate particularly in relation to informing the local authority designated officer regarding an incident 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that- 31/03/2016 (a) within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made that includes- (ii) details of the child’s behaviour leading to its use (v) details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; (Regulation 35 (3) (a) (ii) (v))

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

Any child who has been restrained should be given the opportunity to express their feeling about their experience of the restraint as soon as is practicable, ideally within 24 hours of the restraint incident, attempts should be made to gain their views and record these clearly (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 50, paragraph 9.60)

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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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