Children's home run by We Are Beams in Sevenoaks

Assurance visit report: SC435152 1 SC435152

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a charity. It provides overnight short breaks for children with learning disabilities and/or complex needs. Currently, 58 children are registered to use the short-breaks service, with six children able to use the service at any time.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2015.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Improved effectiveness

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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. 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: SC435152 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

Children enjoy spending time at the home. The wide range of activities on offer, including in the garden, helps to keep the children occupied and happy. During the national lockdown, the staff have maximised these resources to keep the children busy and engaged. The staff organised cooking, gardening, karaoke and water games. The abundance of photographs, which were shown to the inspector during the visit, show the children exercising choice, playing and having fun throughout this period.

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The care of children

Creative thinking from the staff helps the children to understand the measures put in place to keep them safe. One example of this included the staff telling a frightened child that they were playing doctors and nurses to explain why they were wearing masks that day. This quick thinking by the staff member put the child at ease and enabled them to access their short break.

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The care of children

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are used to plan how the service is delivered. The staff hold regular meetings with the children and use a range of communication methods to hear what they have to say. Children routinely express how they feel and say what they would like to do. A popular request shows that the children enjoy accessing the local community. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, this has not been possible recently. The staff have plans to do this as soon as it is possible.

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The safety of children

Well-informed staff work hard to keep the children safe. Leaders and managers have implemented stringent measures to minimise the risk of transmission arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Detailed policies and procedures provide the staff with clear guidance on how to care for the children safely from the moment they arrive and until they go home. One parent spoken to during the visit said that they feel confident about leaving their child with the staff to enjoy their short break.

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The safety of children

Staff know the children well. They have a good understanding of their medical needs and how these can impact on their behaviour at times. Records of incidents show that the staff try a range of strategies to defuse or distract the children before applying sanctions or intervening physically. On the rare occasions this does occur, the action taken is proportionate and strikes a balance between keeping the individual safe as well as the group.

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The safety of children

Staff’s approach to risk management varies according to children’s individual needs and level of understanding. This includes providing them with high levels of staff supervision as well as the freedom and independence to develop and learn. One parent told the independent visitor that the staff promote her child’s independence Assurance visit report: SC435152 3 despite the risks and that the staff always maintain his safety.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders and managers work together to ensure the smooth running of the service. During the national lockdown and a short period of closure, all staff were actively involved in supporting the children and their families in the community. Working closely with the local authority, extra funding was secured to help provide essential personal protective equipment for the parents, and toys and games for the children. This service proved to be a lifeline for some families and helped to bridge the gap during the disruption to everyday life.

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Leaders and managers

Staff’s health and well-being are seen as a priority. Leaders and managers have given the staff clear advice, guidance and support about how to keep safe throughout the pandemic. This has included recognising and reporting symptoms and how to manage and minimise the risk while at work. They have also acknowledged how well the staff have adapted to the new ways of working. As a result, no staff or children have been ill with coronavirus.

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Leaders and managers

The independent visitor has continued to monitor the quality of care given to the children. During these visits, he has experienced the rigorous COVID-19 protocols first hand and observed both staff and children following the guidance. Positive feedback from a parent and a local authority social worker shows that despite the difficult circumstances, high standards of care and protection have been given to the children.

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Leaders and managers

No requirements or recommendations are made following this visit. Assurance visit report: SC435152 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Allsworth Court, 38 to 40 St David’s Road, Swanley, Kent BR8 7RJ

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Inspectors

Amanda Harvey, Social Care Inspector Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC435152 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.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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