Children's Home run by Strode Park Foundation for People with Disabilities in Kent

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements of the last inspection have been effectively met. The registered manager sought feedback appropriately regarding a safeguarding incident. Staff now have up-to-date information to monitor the young person’s welfare. The requirement in relation to staff qualifications is also met. All staff, including agency staff, have the level 3 qualification or are working towards completing it. Staff have a consistent level of experience.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendation in relation to regular supervision has been fully met. Supervisions are now regular and effective and appropriate appraisal processes mean that the ongoing development needs of the staff are prioritised.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendation in relation to seeking young people’s views has been partially met. Young people’s meetings are informative and interactive. These forums are used to update young people about any changes in staffing or in relation to young people moving in or out of the home. Staff seek young people’s views about a range of topics, including activities and menus. Staff encourage young people to make choices and express their wishes during their day-to-day living through conversations and non-verbal communication methods. However, key working sessions do not occur regularly and the recording of these do not consistently distinguish between the young person’s views and staff observation. Therefore, opportunities are missed to fully take account of young people’s views.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the six young people who live at the home remain there. They continue to make good progress in key areas of their lives. Achievable targets are reviewed regularly to ensure that they remain appropriate. The registered manager has undertaken training to develop this process. Staff are skilled in helping young people to improve their communication. As a result, two young people are now able to say new words, which is a great achievement for these young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who stay for short-break care make good progress. Staff adhere to their care plans and risk assessments. However, they do not have individualised goals. This means that staff do not have clear aims to work with these young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are very attentive towards the young people and genuinely care about them. Those spoken to enjoy working in the home and value the support from senior staff. One member of staff said, ‘I love working here. It’s the best place I have worked at.’ Another member of staff said, ‘We work closely together. The manager and seniors have an open door policy if we need advice.’ Newly appointed staff have a well-planned induction. They shadow experienced staff prior to working directly with the young people. This means that staff have the knowledge and confidence to work with the young people. Staff have specialist training to ensure that they are able to meet the young people’s complex health needs.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work proactively with young people’s schools and have effective professional relationships with education, health and social care professionals, parents and carers. Education, health information and behaviour management techniques are shared across the home and school settings. Consistent care and shared knowledge means that staff are able to support young people well to progress in all areas. Staff are proactive in advocating for the young people. For example, they consulted with the local hospital to agree a medical protocol for a young person, which reduced the need for him to travel long distances for a medical procedure.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home promotes positive behaviour. The use of physical intervention is rare and sanctions are not used. There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection. Staff record incidents, however minor, which the registered manager evaluates. Any lessons learned are discussed in team meetings and inform the review of young people’s care plans.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints or allegations since the previous inspection. Feedback from partner agencies is positive. A social worker said, ‘I’m extremely happy with the service. The young person is making good progress.’ A parent said, ‘I can talk to the staff and manager when needed. My child is making good improvements there.’ Another parent said, ‘I am made to feel welcome when I visit. Communication from staff is very good.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are trained in giving medication and ensure safe administration. However, on the day of the inspection, staff left a medical cabinet unlocked. This meant that young people could potentially access another young person’s medication. This risk was minimised by the high level of staff supervision of young people and the position of the cabinet. A staff member immediately locked the cabinet and the key was secured to prevent harm to any young person.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy a range of activities inside the home and in the community. The home is well resourced with a large garden, with play equipment, a trampoline, hot tub and walled garden. There is a sensory room and soft play area, which require some refurbishment. Funding is now in place to carry out this work. Some areas of the home have been redecorated. Young people chose the colour scheme for their bedrooms. This increases their sense of ownership of the home. However, the bathrooms are not of a good standard. The flooring in the kitchen and bedrooms needs repairing and the environment needs to be improved.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is committed to managing a home that improves practice and she continually evaluates and develops the service. She has a good understanding of young people’s needs and areas of improvement.

p.4

Information about this children's home

The children’s home provides care and accommodation for six young people and adults who live in the home, and for a further three young people who stay under short-break care arrangements. Facilities are in place to meet the needs of young people who have either physical disabilities, learning disabilities or both. It is operated by a local charitable foundation. The children’s home is also registered with the Care Quality Commission.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/11/2016 Full Good 22/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Good 31/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must ensure that staff—

p.6

Requirement Due date

(1) (a) understand the children's home's overall aims and outcomes it seeks to achieve for children. In relation specifically to targets for children who have short stays. 01/05/2017

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children's home. (Regulation 23 (1)) 01/05/2017

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home's care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Especially in relation to regular key work sessions. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 22, paragraph 4.11)

p.6

Recommendations

 For children's homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Specifically in relation to the bathrooms. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)

p.6

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.7

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.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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.8

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

p.8