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 Improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection carried out in August 2015 two requirements and one recommendation were made. All fire safety records are maintained, up to date and monitored by the Registered Manager and independent visitor. The service’s statement of purpose has been reviewed and now contains information relating to all matters listed in Schedule 1 of the Children’s Homes Regulations. In addition, the Registered Manager has ensured local authorities meet their statutory obligations in carrying out independent return interviews when a young person returns from being missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the manager is now registered and has settled in well. He has managed some challenging situations competently, robustly and professionally. He is well supported by the Responsible Individual as well as his staff team. The monitoring and auditing of the service is sound with detailed reports submitted from an independent visitor on a monthly basis. Any concerns raised by young people, including to the independent visitor, are managed effectively with good outcomes. The Registered Manager meets with other managers and the senior leaders in the company also on a regular basis. The company is continually looking to develop practice across all areas. The Registered Manager knows the setting’s strengths and weaknesses.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A service development plan identifies areas the Registered Manager, his staff team and young people wish to address. Medication management has been strengthened with daily audits taking place. This ensures any errors are quickly identified and appropriate action taken. In practice the number of errors are extremely low and not serious. Plans to develop the garden so young people can engage in growing vegetables and flowers in addition to enjoying the surrounding countryside are currently being actioned so they are in place for the start of the spring season.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The house has been subject to significant wear and tear and damage over the last few months. All damage is quickly addressed by the company’s own maintenance team. Dates have been set for other areas of the home to be decorated and refurbished. Young people, in the main, continue to make good progress in their education and well-being. When external influences result in changes of behaviour staff re-assess and quickly engage with other professionals to review strategies for managing challenging situations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Individual records and files have been revamped so they are better organised with clear indexing. This enables staff to access the correct information quickly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are continually supported and guided to lead less risky lifestyles. They have individual risks assessments covering a wide range of risks; including sexual exploitation, going missing, radicalisation, extremism and the use of drugs. Staff work very closely and effectively with a wide range of professionals, for example immigration, the Prevent/Channel team, local police, child sexual exploitation professionals and local mental health teams. As a result of the work carried out with the Prevent agency the staff have gained an in-depth knowledge of radicalisation and extremism. The staff at this home are competent in managing concerns, particularly in relation to missing young people, sexual exploitation and radicalisation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager engages with local authorities in relation to young people moving on. He will challenge decisions to ensure young people move to the most appropriate placements. He is also very aware of the limitations of his staff team and communicates very regularly with all professionals so they can be suitably prepared for any future decision that may be needed to ensure the continued safety of the young people.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to accommodate four children age 11 to 17 years old, of mixed gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Placements are medium or long term for children who have suffered abuse or neglect and who may display challenging behaviour due to their emotional difficulties. The home is one of many managed by this independent provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2015 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

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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