Children's home in Tonbridge and Malling

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has addressed many of the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. As a result, the experiences for young people who spend time in this short breaks home has improved. The manager has set out a comprehensive development plan of actions and is working through these. They include revision of policies, practice in the home and the development and training of staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Robust independent monitoring of the home provides information on the views of parents and professionals on the quality of care provided to young people; This ensures sufficient scrutiny on their safety and wellbeing. As a result, areas for development are identified to drive forward the quality of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider has ensured that notifications to Ofsted are provided in a timely manner. In particular those involving safeguarding concerns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved behaviour support plans are more reflective of the individual needs of young people. For example, the staff team now display increased understanding on supporting behaviour that is due to anxieties and challenges of individual disabilities. As a result, the quality of care for young people has improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team remain committed and clearly understand the limitations for young people with disabilities. As a result, they strive to engage young people in a range of in-house and community activities. This enables young people to enjoy experiences with their peers and improves social skills. A parent said, ‘My son enjoys the freedom to move around and engage in a range of outdoor play, which he thoroughly enjoys.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements in care planning has resulted in more individualised care, which is nurturing and engaging. Staff know the young people and are adept at using a variety of communication aids, such as symbols and gestures to encourage communication with them. However, information on routines, social development and medical needs for some young people is not in place. This results in staff lacking understanding on the emotional needs of young people. During this inspection, a young person with little communication skills was observed exhibiting a good deal of anxiety and distress. Incomplete information obtained on the young person, resulted in staff not fully understanding his emotional needs and the young person experiencing a pro-longed period of distress, while staff attempted to use a number of differing techniques to calm him.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are learning new skills appropriate to their disability. For example, experiencing sensory play, independent skills and toileting. However, it is difficult to see how progress against set targets is being made. Managers and staff have not implemented clear reviews or analysis on achievements of targets and there is little focus on evidencing creatively the experience for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has built up her knowledge of the young people and is developing her awareness around the monitoring systems in the home. This is allowing them to improve the way the home is managed effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The premises are clean, tidy and homely. The Registered Manager has recently introduced a number of new plans. This has enabled young people to express choice in soft furnishing and equipment to personalise their rooms reflective of their personalities and interests.

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Information about this children's home

A charitable organisation runs this home on behalf of the local authority. It provides residential short breaks for up to ten children and young people who have learning disabilities who may also have physical disabilities and/or sensory impairment. The service is for children living in the borough and access to the service is through the children with disabilities team.

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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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Recent inspection history

08/01/2014 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

In order to meet the leadership and management standard with particular reference to the setting and reviewing of personal targets The registered person must understand (2) (f) the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child. 03/05/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation: Ensure that staff engage proactively with the local authority to provide sufficient information on the social, emotional and medical needs of young people. Where this is not readily available, the home should consider during the course of this engagement seeking appropriate permissions to access information from relevant professionals involved in the care of the young person. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56, paragraph 11.3)

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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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