Children's Home run by Channels and Choices Limited 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 in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection in August 2016, one recommendation was made and this has been met. Staff notice periods have been extended. The previous timescale of one week failed to give the children time to acclimatise to significant endings in their lives. This revision is realistic and better reflects the home’s ethos and statement of purpose. The registered manager ensures that the children are involved in the celebrations of these events. They are learning to cope with real-life situations, similar to those they may experience in the future. The knowledgeable and passionate registered manager has continued to improve the quality of the provision through her focus upon staff performance and practice. Staff share the registered manager’s enthusiasm and commitment, and benefit from her strong emphasis upon the importance of nurturing relationships between staff and children; her detailed monitoring of this ensure that it is effective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive inspirational coaching and guidance, which supports them to continually develop their practice to the highest level. Supervision is thorough and purposeful. It provides the registered manager with comprehensive information relating to reflective practices, which bring about consistent improvements in the outcomes for the children. One child with particularly complex emotional needs has benefited from intricate staff analysis and acknowledgement of the small but highly significant progressive steps that he has made. A further improvement is the manner in which staff support the relationships between children, in particular facilitating discussions about the impact of actions upon each other. One example of this is when one child, with the support of staff, was able to explain to another child the impact his loud and disruptive behaviour late at night was having upon her ability to sleep, and on her school work the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

following day. This positive peer pressure resulted in a reduction in the disruptive behaviour. The continued development of successful partnerships with other professionals contributes well to the children receiving the support they need. Meticulously detailed risk assessments are used by the staff and they ensure that other professionals provide consistency of approach, which significantly enhances children’s safety and progress. An example of this is the manner in which staff work closely with education colleagues, to ensure that effective and consistent behaviour management strategies are in place for one particular child. Consequently, he is extremely well safeguarded and the risks posed by his potentially harmful behaviours are reduced effectively. This has also resulted in the successful creation of a learning environment within which he has flourished. Arrangements to promote the children’s safety and well-being are extremely

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

robust. Staff have a thorough understanding of their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. Robust procedures and exacting documentation help to ensure that children are protected extremely well. Staff regularly complete training and this is resourcefully supported through professional discussions and analysis of practice. Rigorous recruitment processes provided an added layer of protection for the children. Creative staff support the children effectively in developing their understanding of a safe and healthy lifestyle. For example, they participate in fire drills and are encouraged to identify potential hazards for themselves. This responsibility ensures that children are being systematically prepared to keep themselves safe. Staff undertake precise assessments of children’s progress and development. They know the children well and build relationships that are based upon respect and trust, which substantially enhances children’s feelings of value, care and security.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

They provide highly effective support, which enables the children to feel safe and secure. One child, whose background is particularly complex, has been supported by staff, through play, to begin to develop trust in the adults who care for him, resulting in a demonstrable improvement in his feeling of being safe and secure. He is now able to engage in play and short conversations with the staff and the other children, which is a significant improvement for him. His social worker commented positively about the exceptional dedication of the staff in recognising and acknowledging each small but important step taken by this child, resulting in his improved sense of safety and self-worth. Children’s achievements are carefully monitored and analysed to ensure that the child’s individual needs are known and addressed. Children receive support and intervention in a timely manner, which contributes to their excellent progress. Staff

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

encourage children to develop a ‘can do’ attitude. Staff are superb role models and provide consistently clear guidance to promote the children’s positive behaviour and attitude.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private organisation. It offers therapeutic residential care.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

22/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

12/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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, 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

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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