Children's Home run by Little Acorns London Beach Farm Limited in Kent

Assurance visit report: SC023651 1 SC023651

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight children who may have behavioural and/or other difficulties. Therapy is available to all children if required. There is a registered school on site.

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Information about this children’s home

The previous manager cancelled their registration with Ofsted on 31 October 2018. The current managers have applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: SC023651 2

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

Staff have strong and positive relationships with children. Staff talk with pride about the ‘family feel’ of the home. Children benefit from a homely environment that is full of affection and warmth.

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The care of children

Highly personalised care is provided for children by skilled staff and the child’s voice is central to the work at the home. Care and behaviour support plans are written in the first person and the individual personality of each child comes through strongly. This has resulted in children’s views, wishes and feelings being explored throughout the challenges of the last few months.

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The care of children

Staff have provided consistency of care throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. They recognise the challenges that children face adapting to new routines. They have worked hard to ensure that children’s anxieties are minimised. Education has been well maintained, utilising the home’s on-site school setting, home education and close partnerships with external education providers.

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The care of children

Children are very positive about the home and enjoy spending time with each other. They talk enthusiastically about the opportunities they have to engage in activities off site. They speak with affection about the staff.

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The safety of children

Staff display a well-developed understanding of the safeguarding needs of children. They have a clear understanding of risk and behaviour management strategies. They recognise not only their internal policies and procedures but can identify key external agencies that support them in their safeguarding responsibilities.

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The safety of children

Despite the challenges posed by lockdown, safeguarding training has been maintained. Staff are less clear on some of the specific skills relating to working with children who display sexually harmful behaviours. This is an area for development as some children in placement do pose risks of this kind.

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The safety of children

Staff only use physical intervention when absolutely necessary to prevent injury to children or others. Staff are trained to deliver this safely and effectively. Leaders report a recent reduction in incidents of physical intervention after a slight increase during lockdown. Incidents are carefully analysed for patterns that can inform learning for staff and support the improvement of behaviour management and risk management strategies for children. Assurance visit report: SC023651 3

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Leaders and managers

Leaders have worked diligently to meet the requirements made at the previous Ofsted inspection. Internal monitoring and oversight show significant improvement. Previous concerns about the lack of consistent management support have been addressed. The two managers are both currently seeking registration.

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Leaders and managers

While managers have started creating a service development plan, there is still a lack of workforce planning. As a result, there is no current audit of staff members’ skills and competencies. Leaders have not yet considered seeking the views of external agencies to support them in their review and planning of future service development.

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Leaders and managers

Staff benefit from regular and good-quality supervision and support. They speak highly of the ‘open door’ approach of managers. Training is also well regarded by staff. However, staff appear less confident when discussing the therapeutic ethos of the home.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders have a strong focus on providing a high standard of living accommodation for children. The home has benefited from an active refurbishment programme during lockdown. There have been some changes to the internal layout, fixtures and fittings in the home. The current fire audit was completed two years ago, and a review would be of benefit to ensure that all internal changes meet current fire regulations.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders demonstrate strong advocacy for children. They protect their best interests with passion and have high expectations for their futures.

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Leaders and managers

External professionals are impressed with the quality of care and support for children. They identify strong evidence of progress.

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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 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. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, 31/01/2021 Assurance visit report: SC023651 4 reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children (Regulation 45(1)(2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders should seek the views of external professionals to support them in their internal monitoring of the quality of care.

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Recommendations

 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). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) In particular, to complete a review of the last external fire audit following changes to some fixtures in the home and recent refurbishment work.  The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8) In particular, this should include a review of current staff skills and competencies to ensure that they have the required knowledge and experience to work with

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) In particular, ensure that staff have the relevant training and experience to work with children who display sexually harmful behaviours. Leaders should also assure themselves that staff have a clear understanding of the therapeutic models employed at the home and how they impact their practice. Assurance visit report: SC023651 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Little Acorns London Beach Farm Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: c/o A1, Marquis Court, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE11 0RU

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Inspector

Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC023651 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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