Children's home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Thanet

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been improvements in the quality of care provided to young people since the previous inspection. Young people make good progress from their individual starting points. They feel safe in their home. Young people commented ‘staff go out of their way to keep us all safe’ and ‘it’s like a family here’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager left in November 2015. A permanent manager commenced in post in January 2016. An application for her to become registered manager has been received by Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All previous regulatory requirements and recommendations have been met. There are no regulatory breaches identified at this visit.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New monitoring systems are effective. The manager systematically checks paperwork and identifies relevant action points. She also works regular shifts. This builds and maintains good relationships with the young people and she observes staff practice directly. This approach provides the manager with good oversight of the quality of care given.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children’s home is now run in line with its statement of purpose. Staffing levels are now appropriate to meet the needs of young people placed at all times of day or night.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor undertook safeguarding training in September 2015. This provides them with up-to-date knowledge in child protection matters. This will assist them in making judgements on the quality of safeguarding arrangements within the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff make good use of the organisation’s nurse. She provides health expertise and staff training. For young people placed far away from their family home, she is an effective link between placing authority health services and local provision, such as child and adolescent mental health services. This approach helps young people to access local health services quickly. This impacts positively on how young people’s complex emotional and medical conditions are managed and monitored. Young people are sensitively prepared for therapeutic, health and medical assessments. This successfully increases young people’s engagement in such events and with ongoing therapeutic input. Two young people have stopped smoking since moving to this home. This benefits their health now and in the future. Medication administration systems have improved. Daily checks and medication handovers are effective in ensuring that young people receive medication safely and as

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no young people reported missing from the home since the previous inspection. Missing from home protocols have been revised in line with statutory and local police guidance. Staff members are now prompted to inform independent reviewing officers when a young person is missing and on their return. Staff members undertake key working sessions with young people around keeping safe in the community and online. Some young people who previously went missing frequently have not done so since placement in this home. This makes them safer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding arrangements within the home are good. The manager works well in partnership with external agencies such as the police and child protection agencies to ensure the safety of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people take part in a good range of activities. They try new experiences such as outdoor activity centres and trampoline club. They make new friends through regular attendance at youth clubs, fitness clubs or roller discos. Personal interests and talents are well-promoted. For example, some young people take ice skating or horse riding lessons. Young people enjoy these opportunities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people maintain good attendance at school. If they do not have an identified education provision, the manager effectively liaises with the virtual school teams to ensure that a suitable package of education and learning is provided. Young people take part in domestic chores around the home. These include shopping, washing, baking and cleaning. All young people take part and help with these tasks. This contributes to the community feeling within the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people speak positively about their home and staff members. A young person said ‘I don’t kick off so much now, I talk more and calm’. Another commented, ‘it’s an encouraging house. Each day the staff praise you. It’s a really positive environment here’.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and behavioural needs. The home is managed and run by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 Interim Declined in 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

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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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