Children's Home run by Institute of Integrated Systemic Therapy in Kent

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, one requirement was made regarding staff supervision. The registered manager has developed a range of avenues for individual and group supervisions for his staff team. These include one-to-one supervision every month, whole-team supervision meetings overseen by a group analyst, and individual team meetings also overseen by a group analyst. This works alongside the service’s therapeutic model of care. In addition, team leader meetings take place every week where any issues or concerns can be raised with senior leaders. New staff members receive additional supervision throughout their six-month probationary period. The service’s group analyst is an accredited child and adolescent psychotherapist. All records are better maintained and organised. Safeguarding procedures continue to be of a very high standard. The registered manager is trained to an advanced level. He ensures that his staff team is suitably

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

trained and up to date with understanding the risks posed to children. The staff team is trained to identify risks associated with female genital mutilation, internet use and child sexual exploitation. In addition, the staff have a good awareness of their duty under Prevent in relation to radicalisation and extremism. Safeguarding and protection procedures and practices ensure maximum protection for children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people at this home make exceptional progress in all aspects of their lives. Staff continue to explore areas of interests and engage young people in activities that result in much improved self-esteem. For some young people, the progress seen over time is exceptional. Young people who once would not engage in conversation now confidently hold articulate conversations with all adults. One young person who could not sustain friendships due to their behaviour has now formed a positive friendship group outside of the home. All young people have excellent school attendance and achieve highly. Reading is encouraged and enjoyed by all the young people. Staff rise to the challenge of ensuring that there are sufficient books, given the large number of books that young people read. The young people have made positive progress as a result of the high standard of care and practice delivered by the staff team and the trusting relationships

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

developed between them and the staff team. This has also resulted in young people being able to express their views and wishes, and talk about previous life experiences, in a safe and trusting environment. Safe administration of medicine practices has been enhanced since the last inspection. Competency checks on staff, observing them administering medication plus observing handovers of medication matters between shifts, have been introduced. This is in addition to the embedded practice of weekly checks that is rigorously overseen by the registered manager. The home has developed new ways of gaining young people’s involvement in decision making. For example, community meetings are broken down into subheadings where day-to-day matters are discussed, such as sharing of menus and addressing any messages written in young people’s message books. Other areas discussed are more therapeutic and have a specified time allocation in the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

community meetings. Individual child-friendly placement plans have been introduced and young people are encouraged to write their own plans or comment on the plans written by the staff with their help. These plans are in addition to young people’s main placement plan. Healthy living continues to be a main focus for the staff and young people. The outdoor area is used daily, with staff playing football and other exercise games. Young people are encouraged to eat a healthy diet and the recently introduced ‘unusual fruit of the week’ feature has been very successful. A new and unusual fruit is introduced every week and conversations around its origin and culinary uses have provided young people with extended taste experiences and knowledge of the world. Behaviours have improved tremendously in the last year and very few physical interventions take place. The staff and registered manager review all interventions

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and discuss them in depth with the young people so that their input into preferred methods is considered. This ensures that the young people feel safe if an intervention is undertaken. The home’s statement of purpose has recently been updated and needs to be submitted to the regulator, Ofsted. It provides clear information about the provision and its procedures and practices. Overall, this outstanding provision continues to provide a safe environment where young people make exceptional progress. Robust monitoring by the registered manager, the compliance officer and the independent visitor provides clear direction for the continued development of the service.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to accommodate up to four children and young people. The home specialises in the treatment of young people who have severe emotional and/or behavioural problems. The home is a specialist therapeutic residential community providing care and treatment to psychologically traumatised children. It is operated by a charitable organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/11/2016 Full Outstanding 29/12/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/08/2015 Full Good 24/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children's home a statement of purpose ('the statement of purpose') which covers the matters listed in schedule 1 and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1)(3)(b)) 30/03/2107

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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 whom 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 0300 123 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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