Children's home in Medway

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC029078 1 SC029078

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Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 10 children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home aims to support children to move on to live with long-term foster families or adoptive parents.

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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

Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have implemented a computer system for recording and reporting. This has greatly improved the efficiency of record-keeping and enables prompt identification of patterns and trends in behaviour and practice. The staff have identified triggers to challenging behaviour for some young people. Adaptions made to their individual plans and risk assessments in the light of this have reduced some risks further. An example of this is one young person presenting harmful behaviour in the corridor. Staff now ensure that they are present and other children are not when she passes through, which has effectively reduced this risk. One young person has moved on. This was a difficult process because his therapeutic program was disrupted by the change to his care plan. However, leaders and managers were able to complete some preparation work with him and the children. Currently,

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

another young person is preparing to move on. Staff describe her as, ‘Part excited and part scared to go to a new family.’ One young person has a new independent visitor. Interim inspection report children’s home: SC029078 2 This is providing him with a positive role model to ensure that his cultural identity needs are met. These are good examples of the progress that the children are making. The young people spoke positively of things that they enjoy at the home. One young person said, ‘This was my first Christmas away from my family. I was really worried, but it was really fun. No one forgot me and I had a great time here; it was really good.’ The staff enthusiastically encourage young people to try new activities, for example ice skating. As a result of this, the young people are widening their experiences and building happy memories. At the last inspection, two requirements were made. One was regarding risk

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

assessments and in response to this, leaders and managers have provided training for staff on assessing risk. They have also reviewed the risk assessments for each young person. Risk assessments now reliably inform the staff of known risks and provide clear strategies to reduce them. Furthermore, leaders and managers have built into the computer system frequent reviews that establish staff’s ability to safely assess risk. As a result of this, the requirement is now met. A further requirement was made regarding the notification of significant events. Leaders and managers have liaised with the designated officer to establish a clear understanding of the management of allegations. For young people who frequently make allegations, staffing levels have been reviewed to ensure that there is no lone working and this better protects both the young person and the staff. Notifications are now being made in a clear, timely and effective way. This requirement is also met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding has been a focus for leaders and managers. One young person has an emerging pattern of harmful behaviour. A specialist monitoring tool is being used to track the behaviours. Staff have been given additional advice and support on how to safely care for the young person. When harmful behaviour has occurred, leaders and managers have debriefed the young person and staff. Additionally, a specialist assessment and action plan have been requested. This is a good example of the lengths that the leaders and managers will go to support the young people. Partnership working arrangements between the managers, staff, placing authorities, police, education professionals and parents are effective. The manager has visited some local authorities in order to prepare detailed chronologies for the young people placed at the home. This process revealed some key information that was previously unknown. An example of this included serious concerns regarding the behaviour of the young people

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

and in some cases family members. Leaders and managers have used this to inform risk assessments, which further ensures the safety of the young people and the staff.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/08/2017 Full Good 28/02/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 13/06/2016 Full Outstanding 09/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Interim inspection report children’s home: SC029078 3

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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

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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Inspector

Sarah Olliver, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC029078 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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