Children's home run by The Caldecott Foundation Limited in Ashford

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection in September 2016, one requirement and one recommendation were made. The requirement regarding the accurate recording of sanctions and how they have been completed has been addressed. Members of staff now record the details required and the registered manager ensures that sanctions are appropriate and fair. Emphasis is placed on restorative practice, which gives the young people the opportunity to make amends for their behaviour and to reflect on how they can ‘make good’ any wrongdoing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A further recommendation required members of staff to record how they have met any action points identified in formal reviews. This has been thoroughly addressed. Members of staff have action plans which detail who will take responsibility for any actions identified, how they will be met and by what date. Additionally, the action plans inform planning of individual sessions and targets set in young people’s care plans. This encourages cohesive working and promotes the young people’s involvement in their care planning. It also ensures that review decisions have an active impact on young people’s lives and that all stakeholders, particularly the young people, are involved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, education arrangements for some young people have been reviewed because some have struggled to attend school with larger groups. While at school, they have displayed challenging behaviour and have had to be removed from some lessons. The registered manager has arranged for a full-time teacher from the young people’s school to provide education in the home. A large conservatory is being used for the school room and this innovative approach has greatly benefited the young people. Attendance at this provision is now 100% and the young people have become more settled. This has led to a marked decrease in challenging behaviours and positive engagement in education for the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report feeling safe living in the home and have trust in the adults caring for them. ‘The staff try extra hard for me’, one young person said. Feedback from professionals is also positive about the home. One social worker observed that ‘staff show true commitment’ when she completed a survey regarding the quality of the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A significant shortfall was identified during the inspection. A young person’s disclosure of possible abuse at a previous children’s home had not been identified or acted upon in a timely manner. The member of staff hearing the disclosure had not shared this information with other staff or safeguarding professionals. This has led to an unacceptable delay, a failure to follow the organisation’s safeguarding policy and poor safeguarding practice in responding to a significant concern.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and responsible individual, on hearing the information during the inspection, acted immediately by contacting the necessary agencies and putting in place an action plan to investigate and rectify the shortfall. However, the delay in relaying the concern had been over three weeks and other young people’s well-being had not been adequately protected in the interim period.

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Information about this children's home

This service is a children’s home providing care and accommodation for up to eight young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is run by a registered charity.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/09/2016 Full Outstanding 28/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 26/08/2015 Full Good 02/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

12. (1) The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that staff— (iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and (vii) are familiar with and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies.

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Requirement Due date

This is in relation to ensuring that any safeguarding issue is promptly and rigorously addressed. 30/04/2017

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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 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 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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