Children's Home run by Channels and Choices Kent LLP in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067895 1 SC067895

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Channels and Choices Kent LLP

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private organisation. It offers therapeutic residential care.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has not had a registered manager since February 2019.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out following the inadequate judgement made at the full inspection on 26 and 27 February 2019, from which two compliance notices were served. One was in relation to safeguarding children, the other regarding behaviour management. Four children were living in the home at that time. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to ensure that the provider had met the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

A compliance notice was served under Regulation 12.

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child protection policies. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

In particular, at the full inspection on 26 and 27 February 2019 inspectors found shortfalls in the use and recording of restraint. Staff had used inflammatory language and held children for extended periods of time. Allegations made against staff had not been reported in a timely manner and risk assessments were too Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067895 2 generic.

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child protection policies. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

The compliance notice specified a series of steps that the provider needed to take in order to meet the requirement.

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child protection policies. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

Inspectors found that the children’s risk assessments had been reviewed. They now contain individualised information regarding the risks and triggers for each child. Furthermore, they now provide staff with clear strategies to follow that reduce risk.

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child protection policies. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

The organisation’s physical intervention trainer undertook an audit of the staff’s understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children. Staff have also received safeguarding and managing allegations training. A programme of further training is planned to further address individual needs that were highlighted as part of the audit.

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child protection policies. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

The compliance notice steps are met and will be further tested at the next inspection.

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child protection policies. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

A compliance notice was served under Regulation 19

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19(1))

At the full inspection on 26 and 27 February 2019, inspectors found that restraints had increased in frequency and duration. Records sampled also raised concerns at the language staff used, and the absence of managers questioning the effectiveness or duration of restraints.

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19(1))

The compliance notice specified a series of steps that the provider needed to take in order to meet the requirement.

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19(1))

One of the organisation’s physical intervention instructors undertook a review of restraint and produced a report of his findings. The report included staff’s use of language. Where staff had used language that was inappropriate, individual supervisions and coaching have taken place to develop their skills further.

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19(1))

The review’s findings have been shared with the team and some staff have been provided with refresher training in the use of restraint. For other staff, an ongoing training programme seeks to address areas of need identified as part of the process.

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19(1))

Furthermore, the organisation is developing its policies and procedures in relation to the management of allegations in line with its human resources department.

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19(1))

The compliance notice steps are met and will be further tested at the next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067895 3 The provider has taken swift and decisive action to fully understand the impact of the two compliance notices and has set about tackling the identified shortfalls in a well-planned and comprehensive way. Notably, the responsible individual confirmed to the inspector that they have learned from the previous inspection. Both compliance notices are judged as met. No further enforcement action is being taken, at this time, following the visit.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/02/2019 Full Inadequate 31/10/2017 Full Good 27/09/2016 Full Good 08/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067895 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Channels and Choices Kent LLP

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Camburgh House, 27 New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3DN

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Inspector

Sarah Olliver, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067895 5 to 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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Inspector

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