Children's home run by Channels and Choices Limited in Dover

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people living at this home continue to make excellent progress. They thrive in an environment where staff provide nurturing, therapeutic care. Their behaviour is improving to the extent that one young person is shortly moving to a foster placement and planning has commenced to find a suitable foster placement for another young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The move for the young person who is going to live with foster carers is very well planned, with the young person’s wishes and feelings at the centre of preparations. The gradual process of introducing the foster carers includes thoughtful arrangements to ensure they continue the successful support strategies currently implemented by staff. Staff maintain links with young people when they have moved to a foster placement, demonstrating to young people that relationships are strong and can be maintained even when they move from the home. In a practical sense, staff prepare young people for the move to foster care by encouraging them to be more independent and less reliant on staff support. A young person has opportunities to go out into the community without staff to perform simple tasks, such as going to the local shop, to build their confidence in readiness for the reality of living in a family.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Planning for young people coming to live at the home is similarly well thought through. A thorough impact risk assessment identifies the new young person’s specific needs and the risks they may present. The registered manager thoughtfully considers all the issues including the potential effect on young people already living at the home and how the risks will be managed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive one-to-one support from staff who implement a consistent therapeutic approach so they develop a sense of safety, protection and trust in the adults who care for them. Comprehensive plans, compiled from a detailed assessment of young people’s needs, guide staff to provide personalised, targeted support. The organisation’s team of psychologists and therapists provide individual assessments and on-going support for staff ensuring that young people receive effective emotional support specific to their attachment styles. Young people have made significant progress in their behaviour. They are developing self-confidence and are more able to express their emotions appropriately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are times when staff are required to use physical intervention to support young people as they struggle to contain their emotions and display extremely challenging behaviour. The registered manager closely monitors such incidents. This includes post-incident de-briefs with staff, a review of the young person’s positive handling plan and key work with the young person to identify the most effective prevention and de-escalation techniques to support them to manage their emotions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been occasions when young people have left the home without permission or have run away from staff while on activities in the local area. Staff follow agreed procedures and protocols to safeguard young people and minimise the risk of harm. On one occasion a young person received a sanction following an incident of leaving the home without permission. This is not in accordance with ‘Statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care’ which clearly states that when a young person returns, running away should not be viewed as behaviour that needs to be punished.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is diligent in following safeguarding procedures when a young person makes an allegation against staff. The local authority designated officer is consulted and thorough investigations instigated. Following such incidents, young people are informed of the outcome and receive a letter from the registered manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to lead and support the staff team to maintain high standards of care to promote positive outcomes for young people. Staff receive comprehensive training and on-going support to help young people develop and flourish.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations made at the previous inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private organisation. It offers therapeutic residential care for young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/07/2016 Full Outstanding 11/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/08/2015 Full Good 26/03/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The registered person should have regard to 'Statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from care'. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.25) This is specifically in relation to ensuring that when a child returns, running away should not be viewed as behaviour that needs to be punished.

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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

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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