Children's Home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd in Kent

children 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 since the most recent full inspection

The home received no requirements or recommendations at the full inspection in July 2016. The current manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted. She has a long history and proven track record in working for the organisation.

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children since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, significant staffing changes have occurred with a number of staff moving on. The manager has viewed this as an exciting opportunity to recruit new staff who are eager to join the home. Managers from the organisation are ensuring that new staff have a thorough induction. Specific training in child sexual exploitation and missing from care forms a significant part of their induction. While the number of current young people is low, new staff are working across the organisation’s other homes to gain a broader insight into the variety of needs of the young people. Consequently, staff’s skills and knowledge are being broadened.

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children since the most recent full inspection

The manager feels well supported by the responsible individual, as well as by her staff team. The monitoring and auditing of the service is sound, with detailed reports submitted from an independent visitor on a monthly basis. The manager responds to the actions required in a timely manner. She knows the setting’s strengths and weaknesses and uses the independent visitor’s recommendations to drive forward practice.

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children since the most recent full inspection

The manager and her team fully consider new referrals to the home. A new matching form has been developed. However, a new young person was due to visit imminently and there was no impact risk assessment in place. Consequently, the potential impact of the new young person on the existing young people is not known. A recommendation is made to address this shortfall.

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children since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff have consistently taken action to ensure that young people’s health and well-being needs are met. One young person had persistently failed to attend health appointments. However, having built positive relationships with the home manager and staff, she has since attended all planned appointments. This achievement is recognised by the nurse who praised the home for its success in supporting the young person to access their medical appointments. Young people make good progress from their starting points, with encouragement and guidance from the staff. Some young people have reduced the number of times that they go missing. As a result, the risk of them coming to harm has reduced. All of the young people engage with the activities on offer, and they are encouraged by the staff to pursue their individual interests and hobbies. A reward system supports the young people to make progress and recognise their

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children since the most recent full inspection

achievements. Rewards are individualised, with both short- and long-term incentives commensurate to the needs of the individual. Consequently, young people are able to achieve realistic goals at the home and see their own progress.

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children since the most recent full inspection

Young people speak positively about the staff. One young person said, ‘This is the best place I’ve been, as they treat me like a normal person.’ Interaction between the staff and children is respectful and kind. This atmosphere of mutual respect creates meaningful and trusting relationships for the young people.

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children since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to raise standards and develop the service to ensure that the young people receive a high quality of care. Young people have benefitted from the refurbishment of the home and are involved in the redecoration. A new lounge suite and carpets give a modern, homely feel. The practice of encouraging the young people to make choices about their home supports their sense of ownership and participation in making decisions. Further opportunity for consultation is provided with an ideas box in a communal area and a clear complaints procedure, although no complaints had been made since the last inspection. Young people are making progress and benefitting from the care, support and guidance that they receive.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to accommodate four children aged 11 to 17 years old, irrespective of gender who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Placements are medium- or long-term for children who have suffered abuse or neglect, and who may display challenging behaviour due to their emotional difficulties. The home is one of many managed by this independent provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/07/2016 Full Good 18/05/2016 Full Inadequate 24/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 05/08/2015 Full Good

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person should ensure that, when considering new placements, they fully consider the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children and evidence their judgement supporting compatibility with existing residents. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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 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 children, 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

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

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