Children's home run by Kent County Council in Maidstone

Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 1 SC068511 Registered provider: Kent County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This county council service is a purpose-built, short-break unit for up to six children and young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 15 February 2017

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 2 Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home is outstanding because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager and staff team are highly ambitious for young people, and work diligently to help them to meet their potential.  All young people make significant progress during their time at the home. Individual targets are monitored and reviewed closely.  Staff use of a wide range of communication tools and this enables the young people’s wishes and feelings to be understood and acted upon. As a result, young people’s views help to shape the way that they are cared for.  Staff understand the young people’s needs very well, and provide highly personalised and individualised care that is of an outstanding quality.  Young people benefit from trusting relationships with a highly skilled and committed staff team.  The registered manager is extremely resourceful, sourcing innovative, stimulating and varied activities both inside and outside the home. These activities significantly enhance the young people’s experiences during their short

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Key findings from this inspection

breaks.  The highly skilled registered manager demonstrates a firm commitment to achieving excellent care for young people.  The staff team’s development and training are given high priority. The knowledge of the staff is continuously updated; this ensures that they can meet the complex needs of young people who stay at the home.  Excellent collaboration and communication with parents, carers and other care professionals is a strength of this service. This helps to ensure that young people’s care is precisely planned, and is coordinated well.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Professional assessments and recommendations regarding any system of restraint or deprivation of liberty by way of physical adaptations in the home environment for the purpose of safeguarding young people, should be placed on the young people’s files.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/02/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 3 14/09/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/10/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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.

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Recommendations

 Children’s home staff should take reasonable precautions and make informed professional judgements based on the individual child’s needs and when to follow a particular course of action (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7). This is in particular reference to safeguarding measures provided by bespoke beds and sleep systems. Records of professional assessments and recommendations in relation to any bespoke safe sleeping arrangements, and parental consent to such arrangements, should be placed in the children’s files.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The quality of care provided for young people is excellent. Care plans are extremely clear and provide staff with the guidance they need to meet the specific needs of young people who stay at the home. All aspects of young people’s needs and routines are identified in considerable detail. Waking, eating, activities, medication, likes, dislikes, favourite bedroom, bedtime routines, behaviours and risks are carefully observed and concisely recorded during the young people’s stays at the home. In consultation with parents, young people’s care plans are updated prior to every short break. This dynamic approach provides young people with individualised care that meets their specific and changing needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

As a result of their positive experiences in the home and their trusting relationships with staff, young people make exceptional progress from their starting points. Staff ensure that progress targets are achievable, and within young people’s capabilities. Recording of young people’s achievements and successes by staff is meticulous. Staff ensure that every aspect of young people’s progress is captured in daily logs and care plans. Measurable targets for each young person are reviewed with parents before every short break and in staff meetings. Progress can be made in small ways, but for many young people these small steps are significant. Young people’s progress is reviewed after every short break, ensuring that support and progress are relevant and dynamic. Staff demonstrate dedication and skill in supporting young people with numerous Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 5 achievements including: holding a toothbrush; using cutlery; improved toileting;

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

increased waiting skills, and making a bed. Professionals and parents praise the staff’s commitment to young people and the impressive progress young people make as a result.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people receive outstanding support from staff to help them to make choices and to participate in decisions about their time in the home. The resourceful staff team skilfully uses different forms of communication, including questionnaires, picture exchange systems and signing. Staff value young people; they listen to their views and act upon their requests. All young people, including those with non-verbal communication styles, attend and contribute to regular young people’s meetings. The staff welcome young people’s ideas and actively listen to them. Young people routinely choose their favourite foods and activities. Young people are also encouraged to express their views on the quality of care they receive during their short breaks. Feedback questionnaires provide the young people with the opportunity to participate in the running of the home. Young people consistently write or sign that they feel safe and

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

very happy. Other comments included, ‘Staff always have time for me’; and, ‘Staff read books and dance with me.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people benefit from a wide range of activities which suit their individual preferences and needs. Activities are numerous, and include trips to theme parks, the cinema, the theatre and garden centres, as well as meals out, golfing and bowling. The staff enthusiastically plan themed activities that take place in the home, such as pancake day, Chinese New Year and Halloween.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The large purpose-built, six-bedroomed home provides a clean, well-maintained and bright environment. Photographs are displayed of young people enjoying their activities at home and in the community. The extensive communal spaces downstairs provide young people with opportunities to share mealtimes around the large dining table. The lounge area offers a wealth of games, books, arts and crafts, music and films. The soft- play room enhances young people’s experiences in the home. The large garden provides great opportunities for outdoor play, including a trampoline, go-karts and other specialist adapted play equipment. The young people’s bespoke ‘height adjustable’ kitchen provides opportunities for accessible cooking and baking. For young people who prefer a quiet time, a Jacuzzi and a well-equipped sensory room are also available.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The induction of young people into the home is very effective. A flexible and comprehensive programme is implemented at each young person’s pace, enabling them to gain confidence with their new peers and staff before they stay at the home. The registered manager is a passionate advocate for young people who stay at the home. Her forward-thinking and effective partnership working ensures that parents, carers and young people are fully informed, prepared and ready for the transition to adult services. This helps to ease any anxieties the parents and young people may have.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A parent praised the home and staff as, ‘Absolutely fantastic, they know [X] really well, they completely understand [X’s] needs. When [X] comes to stay, they already have his favourite toys waiting for him.’ The independent visitor’s report captures the outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 6 and inspirational ethos of the home, ‘Young people’s views are sought and influence the running of the home, particularly activities. The style of the home is relaxed, non- directive and responsive, with young people being allowed to lead and direct and staff responding to and joining in with the interests of the young people.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

The staff’s knowledge of young people is excellent. Highly detailed risk assessments combined with staff vigilance and awareness ensure that young people are kept safe. Young people do not go missing during their stays. Clear plans are in place that give the staff guidance on how to help minimise risks. Carefully assessed staffing levels ensure that young people receive appropriate support and supervision, both inside and outside the home, according to their individual needs. A parent said, ‘When my child is at the home I know that she is safe, well cared for and very happy.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Staff are risk aware, but not risk averse. All activities inside the home and community- based activities are rigorously risk assessed. The risk assessments and the activity plans show meticulous attention to detail. For instance, the plan for a recent trip to a popular London attraction took careful account of the needs of the young people, noting, ‘The last carriage on the train will be quieter, and the toilets are on the first floor of the attraction.’ This detailed approach ensures that young people can enjoy their organised community activities, while helping staff to reduce the challenges of ‘everyday’ events that young people with complex needs may find challenging.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

The staff understand how to respond to young people’s needs and behaviours very well. Staff use positive behavioural support strategies and clear and consistent boundaries; this helps to reduce any challenging behaviours. All staff receive accredited training in de-escalation and restraint techniques. Physical restraint is rarely used in the home and any physical intervention used is proportionate and keeps young people safe. Any restraint use is clearly recorded and young people are successfully encouraged to provide feedback after an incident. The registered manager reviews these records and young people are supported to contribute to the development of alternative strategies. Staff ensure that young people’s suggestions, such as bringing a comfort toy, a special cushion or a superhero bag, are put in place. This is extremely effective.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Managers ensure that the home is maintained to a very high standard. The home’s premises are appropriately secure, offering a safe environment for young people. Specialised equipment in the bedrooms, bathrooms and communal spaces promotes safe accessibility and inclusion for all young people who stay at the home. However, there is no formal professional recommendation on one young person’s file in relation to a particular specialist bed adaptation that is provided to safeguard the young person.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Robust staff recruitment processes help to keep young people safe. Thorough training supports staff in all aspects of child protection, and in safeguarding vulnerable young people. Staff know how to report any concerns. As a result of appropriate staffing ratios and the use of waking night staff, the welfare of all of the young people is monitored Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 7 during the day and night. This helps to keep young people safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Medication arrangements are very good. The deputy manager’s weekly unannounced medicines audit helps to ensure the accuracy and safety of medicine administration. Should any health concern arise, staff can consult with the on-site health professional for advice. This provides staff with immediate professional help and support.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: outstanding

Regular health and safety checks ensure that the building is safe for young people. Every young person has a personal emergency evacuation plan so that staff know how to help them in the event of a fire. Fire evacuation drills are undertaken regularly, and include the involvement of young people who are present in the home. This ensures that young people are familiar with the procedures should an emergency occur.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager plays an active role in the home, and is highly visible. Thorough monitoring processes ensure that the registered manager has substantial oversight of the home and the care it provides for young people. She actively encourages and welcomes regular feedback from young people, parents, carers and professionals. A professional wrote, ‘It is clear that staff know [X] well and enjoy having her at the home. The organised trips have helped her to develop her social and independence skills.’ Regular quality of care reviews and the independent visitor’s monthly reports add to the registered manager’s quality-audit processes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager supports a fully staffed team to meet her expectations of outstanding standards of care very effectively. Leaders and managers invest in the staff team. Staff benefit from two weeks of protected time to ensure that bespoke and specialist training is delivered. Bespoke and specialist training enables staff to provide exceptionally well-tailored care that meets the complex needs of the young people in the home. The home’s subscriptions to specialist magazines and research add to the strong learning culture in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Regular supervision and annual appraisals provide staff with excellent levels of support. Time is set aside for reflective discussions about the young people. This enhances the quality of care that the young people receive. Staff value their performance management discussions alongside the time for reflection. A member of staff said, ‘Supervision is very good, we always talk about the young people and share ideas about their support.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager prioritises the home’s development and continuously drives the service forward. She is highly active and resourceful. Successes include a local radio station’s donation of Christmas gifts and the home’s application to a local supermarket to seek funds to create a sensory garden. These initiatives enrich young people’s experiences during their short breaks. The registered manager makes excellent use of community learning opportunities which further enhance young people’s time in the home. For example, as a direct result of the young people’s sensory day activity at a local school, the home’s sensory-box materials have been improved to provide young Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 8 people with a wider range of experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Multi-agency partnership working is a strength of the home. This helps to ensure that young people receive consistent care that meets their needs. A professional who spoke with inspectors praised the staff’s excellent and regular communication. The registered manager encourages additional external professional involvement in the home. Trainee police officers and occupational therapists are welcomed into the home during their formal professional training. This encourages shared learning and working relationships, and benefits all. A trainee police officer wrote, ‘Thank you to the staff, you were really inspirational’; and a trainee therapist added, ‘The home is welcoming and friendly, I was amazed at the brilliant facilities; you are running a fantastic service.’

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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 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

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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Fairlawn, Kingsnorth Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 6LY

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Inspector

Victoria Jones: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC068511 10 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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