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

Assurance visit report: SC408584 1 SC408584

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children aged between eight and 17 years old on admission. The home is operated by a private organisation. According to the statement of purpose, the home caters for children with behavioural, emotional and/or social difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 23 November 2015.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 24 September 2019

p.1

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).

p.1

Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

p.1

Information about this visit

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

p.1

Information about this visit

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

p.1

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: SC408584 2

p.1

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.

p.2

The care of children

Children are relaxed and enjoy being in the company of staff. Children say that they know who to go to if they are feeling angry or upset. This shows that staff develop secure and trusting relationships with children.

p.2

The care of children

Children are proud of the home and confidently showed the inspector around. There has been a programme of improvements to the physical condition of the home, however, there is damage to a freezer, which could affect the quality of the food provided.

p.2

The care of children

Staff understand the children’s need to keep in touch with their families. Staff supported children to use technology during the COVID-19 lockdown and have promoted face-to-face contact effectively as restrictions have lifted.

p.2

The care of children

Staff understand and are responsive to children’s views. They take these views into account and use feedback from children to inform the way that they provide care in the home. Children have opportunities to express their views in several ways, for example through daily meetings. Children are also involved in the planning of activities and menus as well as the decoration of the home.

p.2

The care of children

Staff promote the physical and mental health needs of children effectively through clear activity planning. Children are involved in a range of activities such as long walks and football. Staff regularly play table tennis and skip with the children, creating a family feel to life at the home. Children have individual meetings with staff where they can reflect on their behaviours.

p.2

The care of children

The staff team is committed to supporting the children to succeed in education. The positive relationship between the staff and education providers means that children continued to make good progress during the COVID-19 restrictions. The daily handover between home and school ensures that all are aware of what kind of day the child has had and what to expect in terms of their frame of mind.

p.2

The care of children

Children have access to specialist services. They receive therapeutic input weekly during the school day. One child, who needs this therapy was able to continue to receive it throughout the forthcoming lockdown. The manager has worked in close partnership with the responsible authority to ensure that this can happen.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff understand how to manage risk and how to keep children safe. Staff reflect on safeguarding incidents and engage in discussions with children that help rebuild relationships and promote learning. Assurance visit report: SC408584 3 Detailed missing-from-care procedures for individual children are understood by all staff. This means that staff know how to respond when a child goes missing. The positive relationships between staff and children, and this understanding of risk, mean that children rarely go missing from this home.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff feel well prepared and supported to manage challenging situations and behaviours effectively. They speak positively about the training that they have received, and they value the support that they get from managers. Staff work effectively as a team when dealing with difficult situations.

p.3

The safety of children

The boundaries in place enable the children to feel safe and secure. For example, children learn to improve their behaviours and, as a result of the trust they have in staff, they are more accepting of the nurture and care that staff provide for them. The children value the award scheme, and this provides an incentive for them to make better choices. Children understand the need to keep within the boundaries and follow the house rules.

p.3

The safety of children

Staff recognise and understand the potential impact of abuse and neglect and are able to use this understanding to inform their individual support to children. They value the training that they have received in relation to the impact neglect can have on brain development and the effect this can have on behaviours. This has enabled them to respond effectively to keep children safe and protected.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager has a wealth of experience and has been the manager of this home for several years. She is ably supported by a deputy manager and a strong team of senior staff.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Detailed and effective plans have been in place as lockdown restrictions have eased. Plans for children to return to school are clear and based on individual needs.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers actively use the findings from monitoring to improve the experiences of children. The cultural needs of children are constantly under review and plans are in place to meet their needs both inside and outside of the home. This results in children developing an increased sense of belonging.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Managers encourage relationships with partner agencies. Staff are, therefore, able to work in close partnership with the local youth engagement officer, the school and therapeutic services to promote improved outcomes for each child.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff feel well supported by the manager. They talk about being on the same page and have a consistent approach to caring for children. This consistent experience of care helps children feel safe and secure.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff receive training that meets their development needs. This training continued throughout the lockdown in several ways, for example, online and using other Assurance visit report: SC408584 4 technology. Staff also receive regular supervision, allowing time to reflect on their development needs and also the needs of the children.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staffing is sufficient, and it is positive that a recent appointment to the team better reflects the cultural background of a child in the home.

p.4

Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have responded well to the recommendations made at the last inspection and, as a result, they have improved their policy relating to medication, which included more training for staff. In addition, changes to the statement of purpose and children’s guide now take into account equality legislation.

p.4

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); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9).

p.4

Recommendations

In particular, ensure kitchen equipment is well maintained so it does not affect the quality of food provided. This relates to the house freezer, which is damaged.

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Channels and Choices Limited

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 44 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5TN

p.4

Inspector

Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC408584 5 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.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5