Children's Home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd in Kent

Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 1 SC1250521 Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home, part of a group, offers care for up to four children who have been identified as likely to benefit from residential care.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post is currently vacant.

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Inspection date: 4 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 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 sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been in post at the home for several months, but they have not yet applied to Ofsted to register. Internal monitoring is being completed to schedule by the manager but there is a delay in the monitoring reports being submitted to Ofsted for review.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are making good progress. Overall, staff were able to demonstrate some significant improvements for children. One child has markedly increased their engagement in education and is now following a full timetable in a mainstream school. Children are supported to reduce risk-taking or anti-social behaviours, such as bullying. For one child, increased family contact, and engagement in therapy have led to plans being made for them to return home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When children need additional support, for example when missing-from-care incidents increase, staff demonstrate diligent practice to try to support the child to reduce these behaviours. This includes attempting to locate the child when they are missing, and working in close partnership with the placing authority and the police to put in place shared strategies to protect them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The organisation’s placement matching process lacks rigour. Risks are identified but there is little development of strategic thinking around managing identified risks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been some changes to the staffing team at the home. The new manager feels well supported by senior leaders and managers from other homes in the group. Inspectors spoke to new staff members who described a positive experience of induction. Staff who are new to the service sometimes have to wait too long to get access to important elements of their initial training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The team describes a supportive culture in the home. Staff are encouraged to learn from their mistakes in a blame-free and constructive manner. Regular team meetings and debriefs help staff to process and reflect on their practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has dealt with one allegation in this period about staff practice. The investigation was very thorough, and outcomes were communicated clearly to the child concerned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Progress has been made against some requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection. However, it has been necessary to repeat a requirement in relation to effectively assessing risks when a new child comes to live in the home. Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/06/2019 Full Good 18/10/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/08/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 4

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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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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard requires the registered person to ensure that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, to ensure that risk management strategies are clear when a new child accesses the service. 30/04/2020

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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— helps children to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, to ensure that new staff complete mandatory components of their training as soon as possible after their employment commences. 30/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months. The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1)(4)(a)) 30/04/2020 Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 5 Care Standards Act 2000

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Requirement Due date

Any person who carries on or manages an establishment or agency of any description without being registered under this Part in respect of it (as an establishment or, as the case may be, agency of that description) shall be guilty of an offence. (Regulation 11 (1)) 30/04/2020

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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: 1250521 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 424 Margate Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 6SJ

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Inspector

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1250521 7 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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