Children's home run by Compass Children’s Homes Kent Limited in Dover

Inspection report children’s home: SC023637 1 SC023637 Registered provider: Ferndearle Child Care Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight children who may have behavioural or other complex difficulties. There is a registered school and therapy service on-site.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted on 13 September 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 24 October 2018

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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 good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has met the requirements set at the last inspection. A policy is in place describing the circumstances and safety measures should a staff member, who is subject to allegations, move from one home to work at another in the organisation. A written agreement is also in place in relation to the befriender’s role. However, a recent internal investigation involved a senior leader and there was a potential conflict of interest. A recommendation has been made to review this practice.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirement in regard to supervision, set at the last inspection, has been met. Supervision sessions are regular and focus on staff support and development. In addition, new staff undertake an induction programme to prepare them for their role. A Inspection report children’s home: SC023637 2 review of interview processes has taken place, following several issues involving newly appointed staff.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has met the three recommendations set at the last inspection. He ensures that all care plans and risk assessments are signed by social workers. All confidential files are now stored in a lockable cupboard. In addition, the children’s bathroom has been repaired. Broken tiles have been replaced and a new floor is in place. This room is now a homelier environment.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, the environment has much improved. The home has new plants, photographs and displays. A sensory room is a much-appreciated addition. The staff have involved the children in the changes made to this room to create a relaxing, calming communal space.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children moving into the home have had a positive experience and settle in well. A thorough matching process enables staff to have the necessary information to meet the children’s needs. The children who already live here are well prepared and, consequently, welcome the new children into the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children’s guide is informative and suitable for older children. However, it needs reviewing to make it more accessible and easier to understand for younger children entering the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A strength of the service is the different methods used to ensure that children express their views and contribute to the running of the home. House meetings and key times are effective in sharing information, educating children and building up positive relationships.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The therapy team contributes to the well-being of the children. Therapy is available to all children who want this. Close professional working relationships with therapists mean that staff have regular, helpful consultation. This equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills to best help each child. One child said, ‘This is the best home I have lived in.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff reinforce rules and boundaries, which children generally adhere to. Staff discuss the children’s behaviour at team meetings and at children’s focus meetings. The strategies agreed inform behaviour plans and risk assessments. Physical intervention log entries are signed by the registered manager. However, staff who have been inducted and supervised by him sign physical intervention records when he has been involved in the incident. External analysis and evaluation of such incidents is, therefore, not evident. Leaders and managers continue to develop the service. The registered manager is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home, through effective internal and external monitoring processes. Inspection report children’s home: SC023637 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/10/2018 Full Good 27/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/09/2016 Full Good 23/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

 The children’s guide must be made available to all children when their placement in the home is agreed (or on arrival at the home if the placement is made in an emergency) and must be age appropriate and provided in an accessible format. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.21) In particular, ensure that the guide is appropriate for all children who move into the home.  Supervision of staff practice should ensure that individual adults in the home are engaged in the safeguarding culture of the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.14) In particular, ensure that policies relating to senior leaders undertaking internal reviews when a potential conflict of interest exists are clear.  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that the use is fair.

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Recommendations

(‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36) In particular, ensure that records of restraints in which the registered manager is involved are reviewed by someone senior to the registered manager and that records evidence this. Inspection report children’s home: SC023637 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 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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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ferndearle Child Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 77 Biggin Street, Dover, Kent CT16 1BB

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Inspector

Suzy Lemmy, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC023637 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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