Children's home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd in Thanet

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection in May 2016, one requirement and four recommendations were made. The requirement regarding children‟s health records is met. These are up to date and include immunisation histories and allergies. Consequently, clearer records enable staff to better monitor young people‟s health needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three of the four recommendations have been met. These were in relation to promoting family contact, developing a workforce plan and providing young people with an opportunity to express their feelings, following restraint.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff now facilitate direct time between the young people and their families, in line with their care plans. Young people are benefiting from spending regular time with their families.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Workforce development plans are now in place. Staff have training plans and, where appropriate, are on pathways to develop into senior roles. This is good succession planning. The staff team continues to develop and acquire the skills and knowledge required for the benefit of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are now encouraged to record their views and feelings, following staff‟s use of physical restraint. However, they have been reluctant to do so. The deputy home manager is proactive, and has undertaken key-work sessions with the young people to encourage their comments and feedback. Young people are becoming more aware of the importance of their views being added to their records which, in turn, helps managers to evaluate this practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a recommendation regarding staff supervision has not been met. Staff supervision has not been carried out consistently or in line with the organisation‟s guidelines. This practice fails to provide new staff with the formal support that is required during induction, and their practice is not being reflected upon or examined in a structured manner. A requirement is made to rectify this shortfall.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Case recording is not timely and, in some cases, not regularly updated. Risk assessments and positive handling plans for one young person are not up to date. On occasion, sanctions have been entered late into the logs, after the independent visitor has monitored the records. This means that case recording is not timely, and this is inhibiting meaningful monitoring. A requirement is made to improve the factual accuracy and timeliness of maintaining case records.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Medication errors since the last inspection have been recognised and rectified. Safer systems now include an additional staff witness, which reduces the likelihood of recurrence. No further incidents have occurred since this change in practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In response to a safeguarding concern regarding a disclosure and barring check, staff and managers demonstrated competence in their use of the home‟s procedures. Detailed recording and swift information sharing ensure good levels of protection for the young people and the staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have stability in their placements and are making progress. Examples include a reduction in self-injurious behaviour for one young person and an increase to 100% school attendance for another. One social worker commented: „I can see the progress that (young person) has made over the past year. The commitment and guidance that they give him has not gone unnoticed by the local authority and myself.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment is well maintained, bright and homely. The cellar area is now a cinema room, providing the young people with additional entertainment space. The deputy manager has encouraged the young people to take ownership of their home by choosing the colour schemes and new carpets for the communal areas. This practice encourages the young people to confidently express their views and opinions. Young people understand and make use of the complaints procedure, if they need to. One recent example resulted in the installation of a new booster to improve the wifi signal. Overall, the young people are making progress. However, the shortfalls identified at this inspection have the potential to impact negatively on the young people‟s day-to-day experience of life at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

This children‟s home is operated by a private company which has a small number of similar homes in the area. It is registered to accommodate up to three young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The company also has a school which young people may attend.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/05/2016 Full Good 09/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/11/2015 Full Good

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children‟s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the „Guide to children‟s homes regulations including quality standards‟. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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36. Children’s case records

In order to meet the children‟s case records standard, the registered person is required to ensure: (1) The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which - (b) are kept up to date (c) are signed and dated by the author of each entry. In particular, that case records are entered in a timely manner. 30/06/2017

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33. Employment of staff

In order to meet the employment of staff standard, the registered person is required to ensure: The registered person must ensure that all employees: (4)(b) receive practice related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(3)(4)(b) In particular, ensuring that all members of staff receive regular supervision. 30/06/2017

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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 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 whom 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 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

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

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