Children's home in Tonbridge and Malling

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . Five requirements and four recommendations resulted from the last full inspection. The home has addressed all of these, apart from the requirement relating to staff attaining the requirement level three qualification. This is repeated in this inspection. Two further recommendations, relating to presenting information in such a way that it is understandable to young people, and ascertaining young people’s wishes and feelings following restraint, are made during this inspection. The home continues to make progress and is settled. A programme of refurbishment continues and the home appears well presented. Photos of recent activities continue to line the hallways, offering a fresh, family-style atmosphere. The home offers a rich and varied programme of activities which celebrate the

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

many cultures of the young people living there. A new closed circuit television system is in operation, with positive feedback from staff and young people. Staff report that this helped develop practice and aid learning when behavioural incidents occur. When restraint occurs, consultation is insufficient. The current recording format leaves minimal information regarding any verbal or behavioural feedback from young people following a restraint. Although, in some cases, this is difficult to ascertain, where possible improved efforts should be made to ascertain more information. This would inform care planning and risk management for young people. The statement of purpose has been revised and updated. It now contains a full list of the qualifications and specific expertise of the staff. It records that two staff members are still to complete the level three qualification. This remains outside of the required timescale. A revised workforce development plan outlines plans for

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

additional tutorial support for the staff members concerned. The home has commissioned new consultation forms for parents and young people. Unfortunately, these are not set out in a manner that is accessible to those young people who are unable to read. This restricts the forms’ effectiveness and accessibility to the wide range of needs presented by the young people using the service. Staff morale is positive. One staff member has left since the last full inspection. Staff say they receive good levels of supervision and regular performance appraisals. Policies relating to safeguarding and missing young people have been updated. Staff understand these policies and implement the recommendations effectively. There have been no incidents of young people going missing, or any allegations or safeguarding concerns. The independent visitor now offers a more robust approach to assessing the home, with reports providing an improved evaluation of safeguarding practice. Managers

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and staff report this continues to be of benefit to the service. Each monthly report focuses on safeguarding themes in order to offer a varied, more comprehensive analysis of practice. Goal setting and case recording is improved. Staff have supported managers in drafting a new system for recording progress against behavioural goals. Their involvement supports successful implementation. Progress is assessed via the daily logs and illustrated via reports for professional review meetings. Recordings contain cartoon figures, which engage young people in the process. Staff and young people are comfortable with the new system and it records progress effectively. Behavioural management is effective and consistent. Staff report low levels of incidents and good knowledge of behavioural triggers of individual young people. Young people are encouraged to take appropriate ‘time away from the group’ when they struggle. They respond well to such an approach and, in doing so, reduce

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

their challenging behaviour(s). The assessment of risk of the local community is updated. It makes good reference to the risk posed by possible child sexual exploitation and radicalisation in the local community. Managers have established links with the local police and receive regular updates. This helps to keep young people safe. Staff training is improved. Staff have attended recent training on safeguarding, female genital mutilation and the radicalisation of young people in the community. Staff are able to link this training to the risk posed to young people using the service. This supports improved safeguarding practice.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

A charitable organisation runs this home on behalf of the local authority. It provides residential short breaks for up to ten children and young people who have learning disabilities and who may also have physical disabilities and/or sensory impairment. The service is for children living in the borough and access to the service is through the children who have disabilities team.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

30/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

30/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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 within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that individuals who work in the home have the appropriate qualification by the relevant dates. (Regulation 32(4)) 30/06/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 Ensure that, when a restraint occurs, young people are given the opportunity to express their feelings about the experience of the restraint as soon as is practicable, ideally within 24 hours of the restraint incident, taking the age of the child and the circumstances of the restraint into account. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.60)  Ensure that children who cannot, or choose not to, verbalise, have the right to have their views, wishes and feelings heard and respected in the same way as other children. There may be children whose abilities and understanding are such that regulations 7(2)(a)(iv), (b)(I) and (c) will need interpretation, according to their individual circumstances and in consultation with their social worker. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.24)

p.5

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’.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.7