Children's Home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC023746 1 SC023746

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Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 7 March 2019.

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This monitoring visit

In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic restrictions, this inspection was conducted virtually. This visit focused on how the provider has addressed the requirements and recommendation made at the previous assurance visit, which took place on 8 December 2020.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors met with children by video and conducted video interviews with the manager and area manager. Inspectors also obtained feedback from social workers. Several documents were reviewed.

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This monitoring visit

Inspectors were made aware during the visit of concerns about the conduct of a staff member. A similar concern was made at the previous assurance visit. Although Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, the inspectors considered the actions taken by the setting in response to the concerns raised, alongside other evidence available at the time of the monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Some measures have been put in place to address the requirements made from the previous assurance visit about the staff’s understanding and implementation of the children’s risk assessments. This was specific to keeping children safe online. Child- centred internet safety agreements have been developed with all the children, and online risk assessments have been strengthened. However, a shortfall was found in one child’s safeguarding risk assessment, where significant information had not been Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC023746 2 updated. Specific risks have not been fully captured and therefore the risks minimised. As a consequence, the staff may not recognise behaviour which could pose risks to other children. Thus, the requirement has not been met.

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This monitoring visit

A requirement was made about managers providing high-quality supervision to ensure that the staff understand and can meet each child’s needs. Supervision meetings have taken place. However, they are not yet fully recorded due to COVID- 19-related staff absence. Therefore, the requirement has been restated at this visit.

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This monitoring visit

A shortfall was identified in relation to Ofsted not being notified of a reportable incident. A new requirement has been made.

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This monitoring visit

Since March 2019, two previous managers have withdrawn their application to register with Ofsted. This has led to a significant period of the home operating without a registered manager. The impact of this has been minimised, in part due to the experienced area manager taking the lead in day-to-day oversight.

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This monitoring visit

A new manager has been recently recruited and is in the process of applying to be registered with Ofsted. The manager has received a thorough and well-planned induction and handover. Comprehensive supervision and support systems are in place to help prepare him for the role. Although early days, the manager’s presence is already having a positive influence on bringing the team together and on the staff morale. This in turn is having a positive impact on the quality of care that the children receive.

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This monitoring visit

Staff ensure daily structure and routine for the children. For periods when children have had to self-isolate or are not at school because of COVID-19, staff ensure time outside for fresh air and exercise. Staff help provide a supportive culture where children are encouraged to learn. All children have desks in their bedrooms and the use of laptops for educational purposes.

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This monitoring visit

The area manager has worked closely with a child’s placing authority to facilitate a multi-agency approach in identifying and addressing barriers involved in one child’s refusal to attend school. Progress has been made since the previous assurance visit.

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This monitoring visit

The staff made every effort to make the winter holiday a special time for the children. Children especially enjoyed the home’s Christmas Eve tradition of receiving a present and new pyjamas. The staff recognise that traditions help give children a sense of belonging, create shared memories and build relationships. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC023746 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/12/2019 Full Good 08/01/2019 Full Good 23/10/2017 Full Good 22/11/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC023746 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 in paragraph (1) 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

This specifically relates to managers ensuring that risk assessments are updated to contain all relevant information. 30 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 30 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on mutual respect and trust.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a) (2)(a)(x))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to managers providing high-quality supervision to ensure that staff understand and can meet each child’s needs. 30 March 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC023746 5

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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: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited, 17 Leigh Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 5EU

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Leslie Davenport

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Inspectors

Anne-Marie Davies, Social Care Inspector Helen Simmons, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC023746 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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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: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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