Children's Home run by J & R Care Limited in Kent

Inspection report children’s home: SC065684 1 SC065684 Registered provider: J & R Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children. There is a registered school on the same site.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in May 2017.

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Inspection date: 10 December 2019

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 10 December 2019

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC065684 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are making good progress while living in the home. Since the last inspection, one child has moved on in a planned manner. A child moved into the home, and subsequently moved on. The registered manager has reflected on this placement, recognising that the child’s needs were unlikely to be met given the home’s location and the child’s history. This could not have been foreseen prior to him moving into the home. Two children have moved in since the last inspection, and while still settling in and forming relationships, both have made good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The four children who were in placement at the last inspection are now much more settled and making measurable progress. Of particular note was the positive atmosphere in the home. Children get on well with each other. This is in contrast to the previous inspection where the atmosphere was tense, and the relationships were frequently confrontational. There has been a marked decrease in the use of physical interventions to support children’s behaviour. Children all spoke positively about the home and their relationships with staff and each other.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the management team has been bolstered with the addition of an experienced deputy manager and new senior staff. They are confident in their roles and bring a wealth of experience and new views and approaches to caring for children. The responsible individual and registered manager have continued to make good use of monitoring by the independent visitor to review, reflect and improve on the quality of care provided to children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the requirements and two of the three recommendations set at the last inspection have been met. The fabric of the building is now much homelier. While there is some damage and day-to-day wear and tear, the home is now well maintained and decorated. Children have been consulted on the use of CCTV inside the home. Through various discussions and reviews, the number of cameras has been reduced, and currently there are none inside the home. The use of agency and bank staff is reducing. The home is actively recruiting and managers have appointed permanent agency staff at key times, such as school holidays, to ensure consistency. Staff are now benefiting from regular supervisions, which the new deputy manager has undertaken. The statement of purpose has been forwarded to Ofsted and remains under review. The only recommendation that has not been met is that children’s plans provide more clarity in relation to children’s culture and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

identity, beyond ethnicity and religion. In practice, staff provide care that meets the children’s cultural needs. Staff also help children make sense of their journey into care, and support them to maintain positive relationships with their families. Inspection report children’s home: SC065684 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/04/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/09/2018 Full Good 21/06/2017 Full Good 23/02/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC065684 4

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Recommendations

 Children should be supported to express themselves as individuals and should be given an appropriate degree of freedom and choice in relation to day to day arrangements for their care, depending on their individual needs and the setting in which they are cared for. This is in relation to both activities and personal items such as clothing, technology and leisure items. Children’s reasonable preferences in relation to day to day arrangements should be met with consideration given to safeguarding, particularly in relation to the use of technology. Where a child’s preferences are unreasonable or cannot be met for safeguarding reasons, staff should discuss this with the child to help them understand why. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.21) In particular, ensure that children’s in-house care plans demonstrate the child’s individual culture and identity beyond their religion and ethnicity.

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC065684 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ash House South, Ash Road, New Ash Green, Longfield, Kent DA3 8JF

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Inspector

Jennie Christopher, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC065684 6 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 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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