Children's home run by We Are Beams in Sevenoaks

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last 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

At the previous inspection in March 2016, two requirements were made. Risk assessments sampled during this inspection demonstrate that staff are identifying behaviour which has the potential to cause harm and have appropriate measures in place to protect young people. The registered manager has submitted a six- monthly review but the next report is now overdue. This is not in line with regulatory requirements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are relaxed and at ease in the company of staff at the home. Staff are attentive and interact with warmth and good humour. Young people enjoy their short-breaks in premises which are bright, spacious and child-friendly. Staff know the young people well and support them to develop their independence skills in ways appropriate to their individual levels of ability and understanding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The stable and committed staff team is led by managers who are passionate about providing a positive, short-break experience for young people who have disabilities. Young people receive consistent care from staff who liaise closely with young people’s families to identify their individual care and support needs. Staff successfully use this comprehensive information about the young people’s needs to manage their behaviour positively. Staff are skilled in using diversion and de- escalation techniques and use physical intervention only as a last resort. Records show that that staff intervene only to avoid a young person harming themselves or others. Such intervention is mainly in the form of guiding and distracting a young person away from a potentially difficult situation or holding their hands to prevent harm to staff. Staff involved in incidents where physical intervention is used have opportunities to discuss the incident with managers but this discussion is not

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

recorded on the report. This is not in line with regulatory requirements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints and no incidents where young people have left the home without permission since the last inspection. Staff are constantly aware of the vulnerability of young people and are vigilant in protecting them. Managers refer safeguarding concerns appropriately to external agencies. Managers and staff have undertaken training in child protection and safeguarding and are confident in their safeguarding role. Leaders and managers are keen to ensure the service continues to improve and develop. They have introduced a new appraisal system for staff where managers undertake a review of staff performance under specific areas directly relevant to their roles. Leaders and managers have also recently commissioned an external quality standard assessment to drive improvement and ensure the organisation is operating effectively and efficiently.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand young people’s needs. They appreciate and value young people as unique individuals. They provide young people with a safe and secure environment where young people develop trusting relationships with staff.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide short breaks for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, learning difficulties and physical disabilities. The home is operated by a charitable organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/01/2016 Full Good 30/03/2015 Interim Declined effectiveness 29/01/2015 Full Adequate

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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 with the given timescales.

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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)) 31/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so, has spoken to the user about the measure (Regulation 35(3)(b)(i)) 31/01/2017

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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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