Children's Home run by Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities in Kent

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 A strong manager and senior leaders ensure that the well-being and safety of young people are prioritised. Staff have the necessary training and experience to meet complex health needs.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Monitoring systems record the daily progress that young people make and identify appropriate targets for them to work towards. Young people make good progress.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff facilitate family contact to make it a positive experience for all. Parents are welcomed into the home to spend quality time with their children.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people are closely supervised to keep them safe. Staff promote social opportunities and create a stimulating environment.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The manager works closely with professionals to ensure that young people are kept safe. She reports safeguarding concerns promptly. However, in one case feedback from an investigation was not pursued (this did not affect the safety of the young person). Other shortfalls were relatively minor but relate to staff qualification and supervision, and young people‟s key-work sessions.

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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 timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Engaging with the wider system to ensure children's needs are met

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet this standard, the registered person must:

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such person, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children's home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (d)) In particular, they must seek updates and outcomes of safeguarding investigations. 31/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that for the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role, including an agency worker, has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained the Level 3 Diploma for Residential; Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b)) 31/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home's care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. This is especially in relation to regular key-work sessions. („Guide to children's homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff receive supervision which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. („Guide to children's homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Information about this children's home

The children‟s home provides care and accommodation for six young people and adults who live in the home, and for a further three children who stay under short- break arrangements. Facilities are in place to meet the needs of children and young people who have either physical disabilities, learning disabilities or both. It is operated by a local charitable foundation. The children‟s home is also registered with the Care Quality Commission.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Good 31/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/01/2015 Full Good

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Good

Six young people live in this home, including some who have passed the age of 18; in addition, short-break care is provided for other children and young people. Young people, along with their families, benefit from the services offered. Staff create a secure, stable home life for those who live here. They have a thorough understanding of each young person‟s needs, including complex medical needs. This helps young people to trust staff to keep them safe.

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Good

Young people‟s experience of moving into the home is positive. They receive an informative children‟s guide adapted to suit their specific communication methods. Photographs and colourful pictures are used to share information and prepare young people for the move. Effective planning takes place prior to a young person moving into the home. Staff consult with professionals involved in the young person‟s care, as well as their parents, which ensures that they have all the information required to meet their needs. One young person‟s carers worked at the home with him prior to his move. He was able to adapt to his surroundings while being with people who are familiar with him. The young person has settled well, staff are confident in managing his behaviour and help him to meet his goals.

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Good

Positive interactions between staff and young people were observed. Young people have a high level of supervision to ensure that their specific social and physical needs are met. Staff enjoy working with the young people and provide a stimulating environment. They encourage young people to celebrate important events together, for example by making birthday cards or planning a party. Young people enjoy a range of activities both in the home and community. The manager consults with young people, for example by seeking their view regarding what new equipment they would like in the home and garden.

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Good

Young people make good progress, staff record their achievements daily and use this information to review targets. For example, one young person is now able to recognise his written name and another young person has increased his vocabulary. Staff are skilled at communicating with young people. The supportive relationships with young people encourage them to enjoy learning new skills.

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Good

Specially trained staff care for the young people‟s medical needs. Staff have excellent relationships with health professionals. Care plans are up to date and read by all staff; by following these they ensure that care is consistent.

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Good

Young people‟s wishes and feelings are valued by staff who offer them choices about their care. Regular house meetings keep young people informed about changes in the home and give them the opportunity to express their views on matters such as the menu and activities. Key-working sessions have improved for young people who attend the home for short-break care. A monitoring system is in place to ensure that they have the opportunity to talk to someone regularly. There are examples of innovative and effective communication methods with the young people who live at the home. However, this is not consistent; some young people are not offered regular opportunities (through key-work sessions) to communicate their wishes and feelings in a structured way.

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Good

Education is prioritised by the registered manager and staff. All young people are attending education and are supported to make progress. There is close liaison with schools, and staff attend school meetings and communicate with them daily. Staff and teachers identify targets that can be achieved at home and school to reinforce learning in both settings. School staff have observed that one young person has made considerable progress since he has been at the home.

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Good

Parents value the service. One parent said: „Every single member of staff is amazing and it feels like a “real” home.‟ Staff work closely with parents to promote positive contact with family members. Parents are encouraged and welcomed into the home. They are supported to have quality time with their son or daughter. Staff will facilitate contact when needed so that young people are kept safe and the contact is enjoyable. Young people are able to keep a sense of family identity as a result.

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Good

Staff encourage young people to develop independence skills and take responsibility for their health. One young person used to struggle to accept her heath needs, and she is now able to manage this better. This has reduced her anxiety and distress relating to her condition.

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Good

Young people are kept safe by a staff team that demonstrates a good knowledge of safeguarding practice. The registered manager responded to a safeguarding concern and immediately reported this to professionals. This issue was investigated by the placing authority. However, the registered manager has not rigorously sought the outcome of the investigation and, therefore, she is not aware of issues that may need monitoring. Staff remain vigilant regarding the young people‟s safety and demonstrate an awareness of their responsibility to report any concerns.

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Good

Young people do not have unsupervised time due to their high level of need. This reduces the likelihood of young people going missing – which has not happened. The registered manager consults with the missing person‟s liaison officer when updating the home‟s policy. Staff know how to respond should young people go missing.

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Good

Staff receive the guidance and training needed to care for young people‟s health needs. Staff are confident to manage complex health needs. When staff are waiting to be trained to manage a condition, the young person‟s medical needs are met by a health professional. Staff only administer medication when they are fully trained to do so.

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Good

Safety plans are clear and thorough. Risk assessments inform staff of potential risks and are subject to regular review to remain effective. When a risk has reduced, the safety measures are adjusted to ensure that any restrictive measures remain proportionate. Young people‟s safety is further enhanced by pictorial instructions used so that staff are clear about the best way to position young people if they require this assistance. Staff demonstrate excellent care for young people‟s physical needs.

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Good

The registered manager trains all staff in safeguarding matters, including child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. Young people are closely supervised when using electronic devices. If staff identify a young person who may be at risk, they educate them regarding safe use of social media.

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Good

Well-established behaviour management strategies are implemented in practice. Staff are trained in de-escalation techniques to defuse situations. Staff know the young people well and are able to recognise triggers and respond swiftly to reduce young people‟s distress. Staff show a great deal of patience; staff were observed supporting a young person, reassuring her and waiting until she was ready to follow instructions. This sensitivity reduced any need for physical intervention.

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Good

The registered manager has managed this service effectively since June 2011 and is well qualified and experienced for the role. She has a level 5 diploma in leadership and management. She leads a strong team with the support of senior leaders.

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Good

Appropriate induction programmes and relevant training and development opportunities prepare staff effectively to meet young people‟s complex needs. New staff are mentored and only work directly with young people when they are confident. This means that staff are competent from the start. Permanent staff are well trained and experienced, with the skills to look after the young people. Agency and casual staff, when used, are regular and known to the young people. However, they do not all have the level 3 diploma in residential childcare. The experience of the staff group is not consistent. The registered manager is consulting with external trainers to address this issue.

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Good

Good professional relationships between the home and partner agencies are effective. External professionals value the service highly. One social worker said: „Staff agree a plan and stick with it and follow through with any requests I make.‟ A parent said: „If I had a problem I could go to the manager; the staff are brilliant.‟ Staff work closely with external agencies to ensure that plans reflect the young people‟s needs.

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Good

The registered manager has worked hard to build an effective team. Staff were observed to be able to consult while retaining the confidence to make their own decisions about how to best care for the young people. Staff report back any concerns or ideas they have in the knowledge that they will be listened to and acted upon, if practical. The registered manager promotes expertise within the staff group and ensures that staff are able to develop within the organisation. Staff work as a team and communicate well with each other to ensure that young people experience a high standard of care.

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Good

Supervision sessions are effective, evaluative and challenging when they occur. The manager recognises the importance of sharing knowledge during supervisions, staff handovers, debriefs and team meetings. However, staff do not all have the opportunity to have regular, formal supervision. This is something that the manager recognises needs improving, and she has an action plan in place to address this.

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Good

Internal monitoring is used effectively to analyse data and understand trends. Incidents are reported at any level and shared with the senior management team. Lessons learned are shared across the organisation as well as with staff. This informs practice and encourages a culture of learning and improvement. The registered manager is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and is continually working towards positive outcomes for the young people.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against „Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection‟.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or that result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 that 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 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

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Information about this inspection

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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