Children's home run by Back on Track Children’s Services SE LTD

Inspection report children’s home: 2509473 1 Registered provider: Back on Track Children’s Services SE Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately-owned home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children. According to its statement of purpose, the home is for children who have experienced abuse, neglect or childhood trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The service and the manager were registered with Ofsted on 12 February 2019.

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Inspection date: 8 January 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2509473 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers, responsible for the day-to-day running of the home, have not always maintained full control over its physical condition. They have allowed changes to be introduced that have either undermined the homely atmosphere or posed potential risks to the children. Although specific issues identified during the inspection were immediately rectified, those leaders with regulatory responsibilities are not currently fully empowered to meet these, and the wider leadership arrangements in the organisation require review.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During this inspection period, the children have continued to develop feelings of belonging and have made progress with their learning. Although there have been periods when the home has been unsettled, the relationships between the children and staff have strengthened. The staff’s understanding of the children’s needs has become more refined. Staff display good knowledge and understanding of the children in their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During times of disruption, and difficulty in ensuring the safety and well-being of the children, staff work effectively as a team and closely with external agencies. Despite being understaffed, the staff team has been able to maintain the safety and well- being of the children as a priority during periods of increased demand.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children enjoy a high-quality and well-maintained home situated in a settled neighbourhood. Aspects of the home, however, require further attention to increase the homely atmosphere and provide opportunities for the children to express their individuality and increase feelings of belonging and permanence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirement and recommendations set at the last inspection have been fully addressed. The registered manager shows motivation and commitment to address all the issues identified at this inspection, as well as the further development of this new home.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/05/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2509473 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— promotes their welfare. (Regulation 13(1)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, managers should ensure that any changes to the home are approved by the relevant people and are in the best interests of children. 31/03/2020

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Recommendations

 As outlined in 10.1, the registered person should plan staffing levels to ensure that they meet the needs of children and can respond flexibly to unexpected events or opportunities. Staffing structures should promote continuity of care from the child’s perspective. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.15) Specifically, ensure that staffing levels are sufficient for children to maintain good mental and physical health.  For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page

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Recommendations

15, paragraph 3.9)  As with all the Quality Standards, the responsibilities and accountabilities in this standard fall on the registered person. In practice, just as with the other standards, those responsible for the day to day running of homes, play a key role in enabling the registered person to fulfil the requirements of this standard (the leadership and management standard). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.2) Inspection report children’s home: 2509473 4

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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: 2509473 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Back on Track Children’s Services SE Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 185 Dover Road, Walmer, Deal, Kent CT14 7NB

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: John McDonald-Baker

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Inspector:

John Pledger, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2509473 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:

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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