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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC469396 1 SC469396

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Acorn Homes (UK) Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to accommodate four children aged 11 to 17 years old who may have social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties. Placements are medium- or long-term, for children who have suffered abuse or neglect and who may display challenging behaviour due to their emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2019.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place to review recent safeguarding notifications, including a review of actions taken by the provider to reduce the risk of harm to children. There had been a rise in allegations against staff linked to incidents of restrictive practice. During recent months, the home’s independent visitor has reported on the quality of the environment, management of bullying, medication management, children’s attendance in education and staff turnover. These matters were also considered at this visit, along with the previous requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. This visit took place off site, due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The home was last visited on 23 January 2020, when an interim inspection was carried out.

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This monitoring visit

In a recent incident, children had been able to enter other children’s bedrooms at night without staff detection. This led to a safeguarding incident. As a result, the registered manager completed a thorough review of safety systems. This revealed that staff had followed agreed night-safety protocols, but loopholes were found in the physical security systems in the home. The registered manager immediately implemented changes to the security systems to prevent this type of incident from happening again. The registered manager has also drawn up new protocols for night staff, to ensure vigilance. She has implemented a plan for the introduction of wake night staff. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC469396 2 External professionals around the children are satisfied that no neglectful practice has occurred. They also feel that the registered manager’s subsequent actions are suitable and proportionate.

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This monitoring visit

Staff support for children following this incident has been positive. Children say they understand the reasons for new risk-management protocols. They feel that the incident that led to these changes has been dealt with fairly and appropriately.

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This monitoring visit

There have been incidents reported that relate to unsafe internet usage by children. The registered manager and staff demonstrate a proactive approach to internet safety. Staff work constructively with children, educating them about the risks of online life. Staff take clear action in situations where they perceive online risk to children. In some cases, they are prepared to restrict access when children are not prepared to work within internet safety protocols at the home. Staff produce good risk assessments and response plans for dealing with any concerns.

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This monitoring visit

There were a number of allegations made by a child following restrictive practice incidents. The registered manager conducted a reflective and coherent ‘lessons learned’ exercise following the rise in allegations. This resulted in an action plan that included additional specialist training in safe and effective interventions. Staff also received support from senior leaders to help them deliver safe practice and reduce the risk of allegations. Through the application of consistent staff practice and clear strategies, allegations have reduced. There have been no further incidents of this nature since summer 2020.

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This monitoring visit

There has been significant improvement in the physical environment at the home. Children are respectful and proud of the home. The registered manager advocates effectively to secure funding to complete building projects at the home, and work is already underway on a new bathroom and kitchen. There are also plans for a summer house in the garden to provide an additional recreational space for children.

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This monitoring visit

A brief rise in reported incidents of bullying resulted in some excellent work with one child. Staff supported the child to recognise the impact of their behaviour. They provided access to both internal and external educational support and the child has become a strong anti-bullying advocate at the home.

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This monitoring visit

One incident occurred in which staff had given a child double his normal dose of prescribed medication. This was a one-off incident that was dealt with effectively. The error was identified quickly, and staff involved were given retraining on effective medication administration procedures.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager acknowledges that staff turnover was high last year. However, it was clear at this visit that there have been positive improvements. The manager currently enjoys a very stable team of staff who have high morale and work well together. All staff spoken to at this inspection were very positive about the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC469396 3 current atmosphere and the quality of the personal support and supervision they receive.

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This monitoring visit

While some children have good attendance in education, others have struggled to maintain regular attendance. Staff were able to evidence that, in part, this can be directly attributed to periods of illness and isolation in relation to COVID-19. However, there is still room for improvement. Work is in place with schools to support children to improve their attendance, but this could be developed further.

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This monitoring visit

Requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection are met. Staff receive regular, good-quality supervision. The home environment is significantly improved. The registered manager has implemented a helpful ‘lessons learned’ process after every placement transition, whether planned or unplanned. Internal monitoring reports are delivered on schedule and contain helpful actions to support improvement at the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/01/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 01/10/2019 Full Good 17/10/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/08/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC469396 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff continue to work in partnership with education settings to promote children’s full attendance. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.14)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Limited

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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 for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC469396 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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