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

Inspection report children’s home: SC385631 1 SC385631 Registered provider: Channels and Choices Kent LLP Full inspection 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 aged between eight and 17. It is operated by a private organisation. Therapeutic and educational services are available. According to the statement of purpose, the home caters for children who have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. The manager is in the process of applying to be registered with Ofsted.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC385631 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/03/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/10/2017 Full Good 10/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/10/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC385631 3

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Recommendations

 Any use of restraint carries risks. These include causing physical injury, psychological trauma or emotional disturbance. When considering whether restraint is warranted, staff in children’s homes need to take into account: – the age and understanding of the child; – the size of the child; – the relevance of any disability, health problem or medication to the behaviour in question and the action that might be taken as a result; – the relative risks of not intervening; – the child’s previously sought views on strategies that they considered might de-escalate or calm a situation, if appropriate; – the method of restraint which would be appropriate in the specific circumstances; and – the impact of the restraint on the carer’s future relationship with the child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.55)  The information set out in the Statement of Purpose is an essential part of

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Recommendations

the process of agreement between the registered person and placing authority that a placement in that home is the right one for that child, and that the home will be able to respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs. Emergency admissions should not be taken unless the home’s Statement of Purpose and its capacity and support systems mean that it has the capability to care for children admitted at very short notice while continuing to offer high-quality care to children already living in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.6) In particular, ensure that the statement of purpose clearly reflects the home’s shift towards providing shorter-term, outcome-focused placements.  Care which meets each child’s needs and promotes their welfare, taking into account of the child’s gender, religion, ethnicity, cultural and linguistic background, sexual identity, mental health, any disability, their assessed

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Recommendations

needs, previous experiences and any relevant plans. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.2) In particular, ensure that the children’s plans take account of their ethnicity and cultural needs. Inspection report children’s home: SC385631 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There have been a number of team changes at the home since the last inspection, and further changes to the management structure are planned. The manager and longstanding team members have been thoughtful about the impact of these plans and have put great effort into providing the children with continuity and stability. This has meant that the children’s attachments with the adults have not been overly disrupted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child described the home as being ‘a five-star home’. The children appear happy and relaxed. They seek out physical contact and reassurance from the adults, who are tactile and responsive. Children experience meaningful relationships with the adults, and this provides them with feelings of containment and safety.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Attuned adults understand the importance of listening to, involving and responding to the children. They recognise that the children communicate their feelings through their behaviours. This enables the adults to pick up on subtle signals about what the children are communicating. High levels of nurturing attention help the children to feel settled and secure. As a result, they are better able to cope with difficulties and change.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Adults recognise the importance of involving the children in decisions about their day-to-day care. Children have ample opportunities to put forward their views in their interactions with the adults who support them on a one-to-one basis. Children know they can approach any member of the team if they have any worries. Consequently, the children feel listened to and heard.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The in-house placement plans for individual children make no reference to their identity or cultural needs. This suggests that this is not considered a priority area of need. However, in practice, staff do understand these needs and provide care to ensure that they are met.

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

A welcoming and well-maintained home provides a safe physical environment. Children’s bedrooms are decorated to a high standard and express their individual tastes. Interactions between the adults and the children are warm and friendly. The children say they feel safe living at the home.

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

Adults encourage the children to take part in a large variety of sports, hobbies and clubs. During the inspection, there was much excitement in the air as the children prepared for Halloween. The adults recognise the importance of providing the children with opportunities for fun and play. This helps the children to develop self- esteem. It also encourages them to make friends and promotes positive group Inspection report children’s home: SC385631 5 relationships.

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

Adults have a clear understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow to safeguard the children’s welfare. Daily staff discussions and team meetings are child-focused and reflective. Information is effectively shared on all relevant issues for the children. This ensures that the adults are well informed, and able to take proactive approaches in providing well-planned care.

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

Praise and positive reinforcement are the favoured approaches used by the adults to promote a positive environment. Children form caring relationships with each other and with the adults. Adults help the children to name their feelings and to pause and listen. Consequently, the children become more confident in talking about their concerns, thoughts and feelings.

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

The use of physical intervention to keep the children safe is low. Individual positive behaviour plans guide the adults to individual de-escalation strategies and approved methods of physical intervention. These plans, though helpful, do not show consideration to the children’s health needs or relevant past experiences. This runs the risk that the use of physical intervention may be used without a full exploration of the implications for each child. In practice, the inspector had no concerns that this has happened.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is in a period of transition due to plans in place for a change of manager. Leaders are aware of the potential impact that this may have for the children’s security and emotional well-being. However, thoughtful transitional planning means that the stability in the home has not currently been undermined and the changes have not unduly affected the children’s experience of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and the manager acknowledge strengths and weaknesses in the home. A clear service development plan is in place. This is monitored and reviewed to ensure improvements to practice, and to ensure that children continue to make progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The development of team members, and the nurturing of talent, is a strength at this home. Leaders are ambitious for the adults to develop expertise in providing high-quality care that can help transform the lives of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Adults report that they are well supported by the manager and by their colleagues. There is good morale at the home. The adults positively role model caring behaviours to the children and to each other. Adults receive regular, reflective and child-centred supervision. There is good management oversight of practice and clear expectations of staff. Leaders and managers take prompt action to address any shortfalls and to improve practice. As a result, team members are supported well to fulfil their roles effectively. Inspection report children’s home: SC385631 6 Regular group supervision is led by a therapist who supports the adults in their application of the attachment and trauma informed model of care. The daily handover debriefs are particularly valued by the team and are helping to create a reflective and learning culture.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The culture and ethos of the home as described in the statement of purpose is demonstrated in the team’s practice, and in the team members’ positive interactions with the children. But, the home’s shift towards shorter-term, outcome-focused placements is not clear in the statement of purpose. This may cause some confusion to placing authorities, if long-term residential care is the assessed need of a child.

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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: SC385631 7

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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

Anne-Marie Davies: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC385631 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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