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

Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 1 Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home, part of a group, offers care for up to four children who have been identified as likely to benefit from residential care.

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Information about this children’s home

The manger is in the final stages of registration.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection.

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and young people since the most recent 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

The recent trajectory of improvement identified at the last inspection has continued, and key aspects of the quality of care provided to the children have improved. Before they move in, the needs of children are understood better and the plans for their care and keeping them safe are clearer. Children’s engagement in education has improved.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although the requirements and recommendation set at the last inspection are regarded as having been met, further improvement is needed in the urgency and effectiveness with which leaders and managers respond to poor performance by external agencies in meeting children’s needs, for example in ensuring that children are provided with a continuous education in an appropriate setting. Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 2 The ongoing redecoration, furnishing and maintenance of the interior of the home have improved the homely atmosphere for the children. No similar steps have been taken to improve the outside space, which the manager’s development plan does not address sufficiently.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children who have moved into the home since the last inspection have settled quickly and are developing a sense of belonging. Staff are focused on the needs of all of the children and are alert to actual and potential risks. Staff are enthusiastic in supporting the children to engage in positive social activities outside the home. However, staff need to find more creative ways to support children to sustain their interest in these activities.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have benefited from a stable and more cohesive core team of staff, who provide increasingly consistent care. There have been several staff changes during this inspection period and further improvement is needed in identifying, recruiting, inducting and retaining suitable staff. A positive culture of regular, meaningful staff supervision has not yet become firmly established for the whole staff team.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of care provided for the children is improving under the steady and clear leadership of the manager, who enjoys the support of his staff team.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/08/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good

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Recommendations

 Where the placing authority or another relevant person does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child’s needs during their time in the home or in preparation for leaving the home, the home must challenge them to meet the child’s needs (see regulations 5(c)). Staff should act as champions for their children, expecting nothing less than a good parent would. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8) Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 3  The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Recommendations

 Children’s homes staff should seek to identify and provide appropriate opportunities for children to develop themselves in accordance with their wishes and feelings and as part of the home’s plan for their care. Each child’s talents and interests should be understood and nurtured, with children selecting activities based on their personal preferences and abilities, so far as is reasonable. Staff should also support children to try activities that are ‘new’ for them, where appropriate. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.4)

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Recommendations

 Residential child care should provide a safe and stimulating environment in high- quality buildings, with spaces that support nurture and allow privacy as well as common spaces and spaces to be active. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 5, paragraph 1.10)

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Recommendations

 As set out in regulations 31–33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) In particular, have standardised procedures in place that ensure that the best decisions are made in selecting and appointing suitable staff. Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 4

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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 difference 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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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 424 Margate Road, Ramsgate CT12 6SJ

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Inspector:

John Pledger, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 5 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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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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