Children's Home run by Kent County Council in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC403850 1 SC403850

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Kent County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority managed short-break service for up to six children with complex needs and/or learning disabilities and/or associated difficulties. The manager registered with Ofsted on 26 November 2018.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to follow up on the requirements made at the last inspection and to provide the regulator with reassurance about the temporary change in management from March 2021. The visit also looked at safeguarding and the effectiveness of the monthly independent visitors’ reports.

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This monitoring visit

In accordance with Ofsted guidance on COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, this visit was undertaken remotely. Discussions were held virtually with the interim responsible individual, the registered manager, deputy manager and staff. Emails and phone calls were received from parents, social workers and the designated officer for allegations. Relevant documents were also considered as part of this visit. Children were seen via a virtual meeting.

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This monitoring visit

A previous requirement made regarding medication is met. This is to ensure that the staff know why they give individual medicines and what they are prescribed for. In addition, the requirement for improving maintenance contracts, which ensures timely action is taken to address any health and safety issues, is met.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has also acted on the one recommendation made at the last inspection; the home’s location risk assessment is now much better understood by the staff and is used as a day-to-day working document.

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This monitoring visit

Careful consideration has been given to the changes in management that come into effect at the beginning of March 2021. There are clearly defined processes to enable smooth transitions and continuity of care. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC403850 2 Safeguarding incidents are managed effectively. The manager and senior staff understand the procedures in place and report incidents effectively to external safeguarding agencies. However, on one occasion, there had been a failure to notify the regulator that a child protection enquiry had been instigated. This did not impact on the safeguarding of the child or on the child protection enquiry.

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This monitoring visit

The service has a monthly visit by an independent person who submits a written report with their findings and evaluations. Insufficient scrutiny of the home and detail in the reports means that on several occasions the reports have not accurately reflected the quality of care being provided. Senior leaders are aware and are taking steps to address this.

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This monitoring visit

Feedback from parents and social workers is highly complimentary of the service. This includes their response during the COVID-19 pandemic. The manager is proactive in meeting the needs of children and their families, while taking the changing COVID-19 restrictions into account.

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This monitoring visit

The staff report that they have been working on developing systems for communicating with children. This was evident during the virtual contact between the inspectors and the children. Children were seen to be very happy and comfortable in the staff’s presence.

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This monitoring visit

There are two requirements made as a result of this visit.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/10/2019 Full Good 08/01/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 22/08/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/09/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC403850 3

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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 notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

is instigated. (Regulation 40 (4)(d)(i)) 31 March 2021

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b)) 30 April 2021

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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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC403850 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kent County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Kent County Council, Sessions House, County Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XQ

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Inspectors

Liz Driver, Social Care Inspector Helen Simmons, Social Care Inspector Rebecca Fisher, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC403850 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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