Children's Home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Kent

Inspection report children’s home: SC023746 1 SC023746 Registered provider: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since June 2018.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 23 October 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC023746 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/10/2017 Full Good 22/11/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/06/2016 Full Good 01/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC023746 3

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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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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40(4)(c)) 21/02/2019

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Recommendations

 Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Due consideration should be given to the child’s cognitive ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.11) In particular, ensure that children are able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy living at this home and benefit from a caring and supportive atmosphere where they can develop a sense of permanence and belonging. Staff know the children well and recognise the potential and strengths of each child. As a result, children feel that they matter and that their well-being is important to the staff, who care for them and about them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are sensitive and responsive to the individual needs of the children. Staff recognise the importance of responding to the children’s developmental and emotional stage rather than chronological age. Consequently, the children are helped to develop at the right pace for them and build trusted and secure relationships with staff. Inspection report children’s home: SC023746 4 Staff show a genuine interest in the children’s progress at school. Children are helped with their homework and reading is strongly encouraged. Staff recognise that achievement at school increases self-esteem and confidence. Children attend schools run by the organisation and there is excellent liaison between home and school. Success is celebrated and the close links with the schools ensure that the children receive consistent messages and positive reinforcement in support of their academic and social progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children to take part in day-to-day decisions about their lives. Weekly children’s meetings provide opportunities for them to express themselves around issues arising from living in a group. Individual key-work sessions help the children acquire alternative ways of thinking about difficult issues and act as a good forum for them to discuss their feelings. However, minutes seen from the house meetings and key-work records do not include follow-up actions to discussions. This means that children are not consistently able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted on.

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

Staff ensure that children are safe and protected from harm. All the children said that they feel safe at the home. There are clear, consistent and appropriate boundaries for the children. One child said, ‘Staff deal with problems straight away.’ Staff challenge bullying behaviours, and help and support are given to the children about how to treat others with respect.

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

The culture in the home ensures that children are comfortable to share their thoughts and feelings with staff. The children’s needs and difficulties are responded to by staff with understanding and empathy. Staff balance the children’s desire for independence with their need for care, support and protection. As a result, the children are helped to develop skills and strategies to manage their own conflicts and difficult feelings.

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

Detailed plans and risk assessments guide the staff to provide effective support that is specific to the needs of each child. The staff use physical intervention as a last resort to protect children and others from serious harm. There is good management oversight that ensures that each incident is scrutinised to ensure safe practice.

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

Staff ensure that children’s health and well-being needs are well met. Children have detailed individual healthcare plans kept under regular review. Arrangements for managing medications are safe and effective. Staff work in partnership with external health services to promote children’s well-being. Children who, in the past, have not been able to access therapeutic support are now willingly engaging in tailored therapeutic support provided by the organisation.

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

Children who are new to the home are welcomed sensitively with careful planning. Staff consider the needs and feelings of other children living in the home. One social worker commented on how well the staff managed a recent move to the home for a child. A transition plan was shared in advance of the move. This included tea visits and careful Inspection report children’s home: SC023746 5 matching of a key worker to help him settle. Staff actions help ensure positive endings for children, even when children leave with little notice.

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

Staff spoken with confirmed that they understand their responsibilities should they become aware of a safeguarding issue. Staff know who they could go to outside the organisation if they believed that necessary action was not being taken. Children understand how and why the staff act if they share concerns, and they feel protected by this. There has been one lapse in relation to safeguarding, which is otherwise strong. This was in relation to Ofsted not being notified of a serious allegation. However, all appropriate action was taken to safeguard the child, who was not put at risk by this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is currently absent. Timely action has been taken by the area manager to step in for the interim period. Well thought out measures by leaders have minimised disruption to the children. This has been helped by a strong core team of long-standing staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is good, with one staff member saying, ‘The team is like a second family.’ Staff reported that they feel well led and supported in their role. Good plans and measures are in place to combat staffing deficiencies. Staff receive regular supervision; this includes clinical supervision with a therapist. This gives the staff a safe space to reflect on their roles and deepens their understanding around the needs of the children. As a result, the staff perform their roles with greater insight and confidence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a respectful culture within the home. Children experience care and help that is sensitive and responsive to their identity and family histories. Staff support the children to engage in faith-based activities and provide opportunities for children to celebrate and understand difference. This helps the children to develop a positive self-view and a sense of their own identity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and the leadership team are committed to maintaining high standards. They know the strengths and weaknesses of the home, addressing any shortfalls and improving outcomes for children. Plans have been agreed for a substantial refurbishment of the home, to create an extra living space for the children. This will be a positive addition to the home and further enhance the children’s day-to-day living experience. Inspection report children’s home: SC023746 6

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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: SC023746 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 17 Leigh Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 5EU

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Leslie Davenport

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Inspector

Anne-Marie Davies, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC023746 8 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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