Children's home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Thanet

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 improved effectiveness . Young people have made significant progress since the last full inspection. One young person has returned home and another has now engaged in a regular therapeutic activity and is beginning to develop confidence. Destructive and unwanted behaviours have shown a significant decrease and the young person has become more communicative and is building positive relationships with staff. The details contained in daily logs, care plans and risk assessments, as well as in the conversations of staff, reflect a strong focus on the progress and well-being of young people as well as a high level of understanding and care. Young people enjoy learning and developing increased independence. In addition to their formal education, they are encouraged to learn musical instruments, read the newspaper,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and be involved in cooking and developing their skills in arts and crafts. The registered manager and staff work closely with all relevant persons who are involved in promoting the safety and well-being of young people. A placing authority social worker said, ‘The communication is outstanding. The progress that (name of young person) has made is seen in her ability to accept decisions and increased ability to reflect on situations. I am updated weekly and immediately made aware of any incidents.’ On the rare occasions when young people have gone missing, the response of the staff is immediate and sustained. Every effort is made to locate the young person and make them safe. The laid-down return home procedures are closely followed, and reflection takes place to understand how the need for individual young people to go missing can be reduced. The staff work well together as a team and have high expectations of each other.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

They are supported through regular individual, paired and clinical group supervision. This helps to maintain their focus on the needs and progress of young people and to sustain their resilience to challenging behaviours. Levels of staff expertise and resilience, however, vary and greater equity can be achieved in this regard. Leadership in the home is strong and aspirational for young people, as well as thoughtful for their long-term futures. The registered manager maintains a high level of vigilance regarding the quality of care being provided and the progress that young people are making. This is achieved through a weekly audit of key activities and through regular staff meetings and supervision. The mapping and evidencing of the progress that young people make can be improved to better reflect the impact of the care they receive. Independent visits are thorough and meaningful. The reports are welcomed by the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

registered manager, who responds quickly to suggestions and recommendations. Quarterly quality of care reviews are conducted and provide a rich record of the activities and experiences of young people. Although there has been some development, the registered manager can make better analytical use of data and information to understand how the quality of care can be sustained and improved. Two of the three recommendations made at the last inspection have been followed. The recommendation regarding further improvement of quality of care reviews is repeated.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for a maximum of three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home currently caters for girls.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2016 Interim Improved 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

 The registered person must make full use of the Regulation 45 review process to analyse and understand the key strengths and weaknesses in the home, and use this understanding to plan for continuous improvement. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.4)  The registered person must make use of the workforce plan to achieve better equity in the levels of staff knowledge, resilience and skills in caring for young people. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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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 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 at: 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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