Children's home run by The Caldecott Foundation Limited 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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met four of the five recommendations made at the full inspection, the one remaining recommendation is partially met.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection two new young people were welcomed to the home and one young person has left. The manager carefully thought through the admission and leaving transitions to ensure the best outcome for all young people. She ensured that a suitable matching and assessment process was followed. This demonstrated they can meet the new young people’s needs without negatively impacting on the other young people’s progress. Staff welcome new young people sensitively into the home and ensure that they get to know them and their interests quickly. They work hard to remain in contact with young people who have left, meeting for catch ups or activities.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education outcomes are good. All young people attend regularly and make progress in reaching educational goals despite previously having been out of school or having had very low attendance rates. Bespoke educational curriculums are put in place to ease transitions and these support the young people’s placement. Staff set pieces of work and take young people on frequent educational visits. Although staff now plan these activities, they have not consistently mapped the learning objectives and achievements against the young person’s targets. This would ensure the visits or work have meet set educational goals support planning the next steps of learning.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people know how to complain and what avenues are available to them if they wish to raise concerns. Records kept of complaints show how these have been addressed and resolved to the instigators satisfaction. This process supports young people to feel that their views and opinions are valued and taken seriously. Complaints from outside stakeholders are thoroughly investigated to resolve the matters raised. However, one complaint which was judged as not upheld lacked some minor information which was known to the registered person such as the managers working hours and staff’s starting dates at the actual home rather than organisation. Young people report feeling safe and do not wish to change anything about their home. They have multiple opportunities to participate in the operation of the home through their selection of types of sanctions and rewards, rule setting and discussing issues at their meeting. The manager now ensures that records reflect

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding of young people is robust. The home continues to inform external agencies of significant incidents and puts in place action plans to ensure that concerns are addressed effectively; this means young people’s safety and wellbeing is protected and promoted. All young people have received training and guidance in safe use of the internet. This has been implemented bearing in mind each young person’s abilities and understanding of the related issues. One young person has presented on this topic, improving their confidence and self-esteem.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records of restraint have been considerably improved and are now adequately scrutinised to identify trends, patterns or errors. This has resulted in evaluative reduction plans being developed when there are ‘spikes’ for young people. Young people have chosen on occasions to write apology letters to staff that they have hurt, thus helping develop relationships. As one new young person said ‘I know the people now, it was scary at first but I am safe here’. Young people rarely go missing, there has been one occasion since the last inspection. The incidents of this have significantly decreased for each young person since residing in this home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new workforce plan outlines the staff structure and contains an evaluation of staff members’ skills and training needs. This supports the manager in workforce planning in order to meet the statement of purpose and the needs of young people in the home. Staff benefit from frequent supervision sessions however records do not consistently evidence the evaluation or impact of these discussions.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A strength of this home is the managers improved organisation, monitoring and overall effectiveness. Young people appreciate the work the manager does for them. She is proactively involved in monitoring individual care arrangements, which supports the good progress made by the young person. She consults with professionals and adjusts plans when required. She is very aware of the progress and any limitations or specific issues for each resident. Placement plans are now more child friendly and ensure individualised care and consistency for young people. These include the plans for any aspects of delegated authority.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This service is a children’s home providing care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is run by a registered charity.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

16/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

11/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure staff have the knowledge and skills to understand each child's education and training targets and their next steps for learning. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 27, paragraph 5.11)  Ensure staff are familiar with the home's policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. In particular with regard to supervision notes. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  Ensure the responsible person takes responsibility for proactively implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice. In particular by ensuring that full information is recorded with actions regarding any complaints made about the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

p.5

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7