Children's Home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited 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 Sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two requirements and one recommendation made at the full inspection in August 2015 have been suitably addressed by the Registered Manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A fresh approach towards the formatting of children’s risk assessments ensures these documents are not viewed as stand-alone pieces of information. They are now more dynamic and being used to illustrate a more holistic view of the specific risks around individual children. They feed into the 24 hour management plans in place for each child. This means they reliably inform daily care planning and give staff clear guidance to follow. Comments from staff included, ‘I fully appreciate how vulnerable [child’s name] is because the risk assessments and guidance spell it all out’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirement to keep the statement of purpose under review is also progressing. There have been significant changes since the last inspection, including young people moving onto independence, younger children moving in, and a number staff leaving and joining. The Registered Manager views these changes as a positive catalyst for necessary development. He stated, ‘we did some great work with young people who grew up here and became young adults. It will be good to do it again with new little ones’. While the statement of purpose was updated in response to the previous requirement, the Registered Manager recognises the need to do it again in light of so many recent changes. His plan to include the new children in its design and content is measured, appropriate and inclusive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This approach is also reflected in the Registered Manager’s most recent monitoring processes and development plans which were subject to a recommendation at the last inspection. His subsequent development plan is directly linked to the impact of the changes upon the children now living in the home and how he sets out to achieve consistency to meet their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two new children are settling into the home, following sound admissions processes. This coincides with the appointment of two new staff members and the overall impact is positive albeit a challenge for the Registered Manager. Children’s comments included, ‘I like doing a lot of activities but I don’t like going to school’. Staff comments included, ‘I’m loving working here’ and ‘I get a lot of support but it’s been a really busy introduction to this work’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New staff induction and probationary records demonstrate that clear processes are being adhered to. This incorporates shadowing opportunities and core training on significant topics which enables new staff to understand how to keep children and themselves safe. This is a steep learning curve for some which is underpinned by regular and supportive 1:1 meetings with the Registered Manager. During this extremely busy period, there has been one occasion where staff have undertaken lone working responsibilities prior to completing the organisation’s full safeguarding training. Although an introduction to safeguarding and child protection had been completed, this practice presents potential risks for the child and staff. It is also indicative of the volume and breadth of work currently being undertaken by the Registered Manager. A recommendation is made to ensure new staff are appropriately eased into the wider and longer-term aspects of their role.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are appreciative of the warm and welcoming physical environment. The home is beautifully decorated and very well maintained. One young person stated, ‘I really like having all my stuff in my bedroom’. This is validated by a child-led tour of the home which included their bedroom and the comment, ‘excuse the mess!’ Children quickly develop a sense of ownership and belonging because they are actively encouraged and supported to choose their own décor and freely access all of the communal areas.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are acutely aware of the relationships which are still evolving between the current three children. They accurately describe the dynamic between two in particular, whereby regular staff meetings are focusing upon the difference between sibling rivalry and potential bullying. This questioning approach continues to place the welfare and experiences of the children at the very centre of the team’s practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The team is working hard to establish a fresh and new identity for the home. Longer-standing staff are described by new ones as, ‘supportive and friendly’ and the development plan is being implemented by all to drive the home forward with a new group of children.

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure the workforce plan details realistic processes and agreed timescales for staff to achieve induction, probation and any core training (such as safeguarding, health and safety and mandatory qualifications). (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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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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