Children's home run by Ronanda Limited in Canterbury

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good 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

The registered manager leads the home with child-centred thinking and decision- making. He demonstrates a commitment to his ongoing professional development, and has recently completed the level 5 diploma in leadership and management for residential childcare. The registered manager has successfully addressed all requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has undergone extensive redecoration and provides a homely environment that meets children’s needs. The garden has been re-fenced and re- turfed. As a result, it provides a safe and suitable space for children’s outdoor play.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home now provides online safety training for all children. The training is suited to the age and understanding of each child. This work is ongoing and supports children to be aware of, and to manage, their online safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved quality of care monitoring now includes feedback from the children, the parents and the placing authorities. This enhances quality assurance. In addition, the feedback provides information, which the manager uses to guide the improvement of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff have completed accredited safeguarding training. There have been no notifiable safeguarding issues since the previous inspection. Managers and staff demonstrate a good understanding of the reporting procedures for safeguarding issues. However, the safeguarding leads in the home have not completed advanced safeguarding training; a recommendation addresses this issue.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All children in the placement are receiving good care that is suited to their individual needs. In this environment they are thriving and making good progress. A local authority social worker reported: ‘I am so pleased with the progress he has made and continues to make since he came to the home. The high standard of care and support that all staff at the home have provided which has enabled this.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Minor areas for improvement are noted and recommendations address these issues. For one child, care plan review minutes were not available. As a result, the home had no up-to-date written plan from the placing authority to guide the child’s care. The home had failed to chase the placing authority to provide this key documentation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Team meeting minutes indicate that staff use their personal phones frequently while on duty. The registered manager has challenged staff in respect of their inappropriate practice. The home lacks a written policy with regard to personal phone use by staff while they are on duty. This means that the home is currently failing to provide staff with clear guidance and expectations.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and is registered to provide care for up to four children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 29/06/2016 Full Good 04/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 08/09/2015 Full Good 03/03/2015 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 recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the registered person builds a strong safeguarding culture within the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.8) In particular ensure that the safeguarding leads undertake advanced level safeguarding training.

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all staff follow the home’s policies and procedures. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20) In particular ensure that a clear policy is in place in respect of personal phone use by staff while they are on duty.

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Recommendations

 Ensure effective care planning between the home and the placing authority. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.2) In particular ensure that the home effectively chases up outstanding care plan documentation.

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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 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 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 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

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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