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 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

A new group of children continues to settle at the home. With warmth, good humour and patience, staff successfully manage children’s boisterous and often volatile behaviour. Children are learning how to live together as a group and are beginning to develop an understanding of how their behaviour affects others. Children have responded encouragingly to close supervision from staff, who implement strong routines, structure and boundaries. Children are developing a sense of safety, protection and trust in the adults who care for them. Their behaviour is improving as they realise that staff understand and will respond to their individual needs. They are beginning to express the reasons for their feelings of anger, which is a significant move forward. A social worker has commented on a child’s ‘astounding progress in a relatively short period of time’ since being at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

With five children living at the home, there are inevitable disagreements. Staff are very aware of potentially difficult situations arising when children are confrontational and antagonistic to others. They work hard to develop children’s understanding of friendship and how to avoid conflict. Children are gradually learning tolerance, respect for others and appropriate ways of interacting with their peers. Detailed and individualised 24-hour management plans, behaviour management strategies and risk assessments guide staff to provide appropriate support and keep children safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a strong emphasis on education within the home. All children attend education, with some on individualised timetables supported by staff, as their emotional difficulties have an effect on their ability to engage in full-time education. Effective links on a daily basis with school staff foster partnership working to ensure that children’s individual needs are met and approaches are consistent. Staff understand the importance of activities for children’s development and progress. With an emphasis on physical activities, staff encourage children to pursue their specific interests within the home and the local community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the home’s reopening in March 2016, the registered manager and a senior manager within the organisation have focused on providing high levels of support for the new staff team. Through their role modelling and intense guidance, advice and direction, staff have formed meaningful and trusting relationships with the children. The registered manager clearly understands the importance of children receiving consistent, high-quality care from staff who understand and respond to their particular needs. Consequently, children with complex needs are beginning to make attachments with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is diligently monitoring daily practice within the home, but has not yet completed the six-monthly quality of care report. The requirement made at the previous inspection relating to the monthly independent person’s report has been met. These reports now more clearly express a view on how well staff promote children’s well-being. The registered manager has also addressed the recommendation that staff receive regular supervision. A more robust system is in place to ensure that staff have consistent opportunities to reflect on their practice and children’s individual needs.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 29/06/2016 Full Good 29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/08/2015 Full Good 18/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 within the given timescale.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (‘a quality of care review’) at least once every six months. (Regulation 45 (1)) 30/12/2016

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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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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