Children's home run by The Caldecott Foundation Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 1241752 1 Registered provider: The Caldecott Organisation Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a registered charity.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 12 September 2017

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home has remained very settled since the last inspection. The registered manager has provided good leadership and direction. She has an excellent understanding of the children’s needs and maintains good relationships with them. The staff team is also knowledgeable and highly skilled. One child said, ‘This home is awesome.’ This child enjoys many activities, such as going to the cinema and theme parks. This child, who once struggled with his behaviour, is now settled, happy and making progress.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff understand the importance of education to the overall development of children. One child attends a school that is run by the same organisation that operates this home. He has excellent attendance and is making clear progress. Staff regularly introduce small additional learning targets that help him make progress without Inspection report children’s home: 1241752 2 demotivating him. The overarching plan for this child is to enter mainstream education. Another child who recently moved to the home does not yet have a school place. The manager has arranged alternative education, pending the identification of a suitable educational placement. Education is promoted in the day-to-day care of children. For example, staff read with children, encourage learning through play and develop children’s curiosity through good-quality activities.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have positive relationships with staff. This has helped children to feel safe and settled. On the occasions that staff have had to resort to physical intervention to prevent serious harm, this has been proportionate to the circumstances and carried out in line with approved methods of intervention. The manager provides good oversight of any such incidents. This helps staff to understand the reasons for such behaviour and to reflect on their practice. One child has made some excellent progress. Previously, he often needed to be held by staff in order to keep him safe. He does not need to be restrained at all now. He presents as relaxed and happy. His social worker said, ‘He is doing very well indeed, making progress with managing behaviour. He is really well settled.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager takes care to match new children well with existing residents. The manager harnesses information from all the agencies involved with the child to develop strong care plans. This means that new children settle quickly and receive very good care overall.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have a good understanding of each child’s individual vulnerabilities and risks. The manager and staff complete in-depth risk assessments and develop good risk management plans. These promote each child’s safety.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is now more settled. Vacancies are now filled. New staff complete a thorough induction, which includes good-quality training and supervision. This ensures that new staff feel well supported.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive good-quality professional supervision. Workers feel confident about talking openly with the manager about any concerns they may have. Additionally, the development and training of staff is a priority. Each member of staff completes an annual development plan. This is reviewed in supervision to make certain that objectives are met and that care practice continually improves.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of Inspection report children’s home: 1241752 3 children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Caldecott Organisation

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Caldecott House, Smeeth, Ashford TN25 6SP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicholas Barnett

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Inspector

Phillip Morris, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1241752 4 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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