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 last full inspection and improved effectiveness at the subsequent interim inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements or recommendations were made from the previous interim inspection in December 2015 and a dedicated, experienced registered manager continues to lead the home. He demonstrates a commitment to achieving high standards in all aspects of care.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A stable consistent staff team enjoys its work. One member of staff said, ‘staff are happy to be working here; we feel well supported and enjoy our work.’ Another said, ‘I’m honestly really happy I’m working here, I love my job. It’s the best working environment I’ve ever been in.’ Motivated staff work hard to provide children with optimum care.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Regular mandatory training for all staff ensures that they have current knowledge to meet children’s needs. Implementation of specific training occurs where children require specialised care.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Evidence from all sources describes caring relationships between staff and children. A member of staff said ‘we really care about children, we build up rapport with them, find out what they like and don’t like and learn what works best to care for them.’ A parent said, ‘the staff are very kind and caring and go out of their way to understand my daughter’s behaviours and to treat her with respect.’ Staff know children well and understand their needs. They use this knowledge to provide high- quality individualised care.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Individualised goals underpin each child’s short-break stay. Children’s progress and achievements are celebrated with praise and newly introduced certificates. A parent said, ‘The staff are wonderful and caring. They encourage my son to do new things and to eat new things.’ Children’s progress and independence are encouraged through care and activity planning.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home considers the safety and welfare of children as paramount. All staff have up-to-date safeguarding training. They know what procedures to follow should they have safeguarding concerns. All safeguarding issues are reported to relevant authorities without delay. This protects children. Some staff remain unaware of new professional reporting duties in respect of female genital mutilation. A recommendation is made to address this issue.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s complaints procedure is well advertised. There have been no complaints made, and positive feedback is plentiful. Feedback and ideas from children, their families and professionals are encouraged. When received, these are responded to effectively. The purchase of a new trampoline for the garden is in response to children and family feedback.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home maintains excellent links with the local community. Parental and community fundraising supports the ongoing provision of new equipment for the home, including the recent addition of musical wind chimes for the garden. The home and children on short-break stays are welcomed and valued by the local community.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well decorated and equipped. Maintenance is carried out without delay, maintaining high standards. Health and safety is taken seriously, providing a safe environment for everyone.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This is a short-break service that is run by the local authority. It is registered to provide a respite service for families with children who a have physical and/or learning disability. The maximum number of children and young people who can stay at the unit at any time is four.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

09/12/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 Ensure that the home's policies and procedures around the protection of children reflect any requirements of other relevant legislation.

p.5

Recommendations

In particular, new mandatory reporting duties in respect of female genital mutilation ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 44, paragraph 9.22).

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 ‘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 0300 123 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, work- based 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.

p.7

Information about this inspection

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 .

p.7

Information about this inspection

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, 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