Children's Home run by Kennet Care Limited in Reading

Inspection report children's home: 2611110 1 Registered provider: Kennet Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

The privately-owned home, comprised of two separate buildings, is registered to provide care for up to seven children. The statement of purpose states that the home caters for the needs of young people between the ages of eight and 17. It aims to create a warm, caring environment that is safe and supportive, enabling young people to recover from past life experiences and grow to achieve their full potential.

p.1

Information about this children's home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

p.1

Information about this children's home

The home, including the previous manager, was registered with Ofsted on 22 December 2020.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Not applicable Inspection report children's home: 2611110 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

No previous inspections Inspection report children's home: 2611110 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The two houses that make up this one registered children’s home, were newly registered in December 2020 and are next door to one another. The home’s statement of purpose states that children will move into the main house first, and then to the smaller home once managers assess that a focus on further independence is needed. This well-thought-out approach means that the same staff can continue to offer consistency to the children to realistically prepare them for leaving care.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The houses are decorated to a good standard and feel homely and welcoming. It was clean, with appropriate hygiene facilities in place for the washing and sanitising of hands. The home has adequate space for the children to spend time by themselves outside of their bedrooms, or in the company of others, and ample seating for the children and the staff to enjoy a meal together if they wish.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

After this home was registered, senior leaders arranged for the major refurbishment of one of the provider’s other children’s homes. Following agreements with the four children, placing authorities and parents, the children moved from there into this home on a temporary basis.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children had positive experiences of moving into the home. The manager from their permanent home and some of the staff also came across with them. Consequently, the children benefitted from continuity and familiar faces. Most of the children enjoyed this experience. The staff persevered with one child who struggled to settle. When it was time to return to their refurbished home, another child chose to remain here and is successfully living in the smaller house, with reduced staff support, in preparation for independent living.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff and leaders demonstrate high aspirations for the children. The manager has created person-centred and dynamic independence plans for the children. This helps them to achieve their clear and targeted goals, evidencing well-planned outcomes. As a result, children feel empowered and supported by the staff in taking the next step in their independence and continue to do well.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in their educational provisions. One child has recently completed a level 1 NVQ in Health and Social Care and is working towards English and maths qualifications. When spoken to by inspectors, the child was clear on their chosen career path and was excited to start a catering course in September. The child spoke fondly of the support they receive from staff and can recognised their own achievements, both academically and personally.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The members of the newly formed staff team are highly motivated, work well together and report good team morale. The staff recognise their strengths and weaknesses as individuals and plan to use this knowledge to support each other and perform as an effective team. The staff are excited about welcoming new children Inspection report children's home: 2611110 4 into the home.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff are risk-aware but not risk-adverse. Risk assessments provide an appropriate balance between safety strategies and allowing the children to maximise their life experiences by taking acceptable risks. This increases opportunities for the children to enjoy new experiences while ensuring that they are kept safe from harm. For example, one child can independently travel long distances and staff have supported this child to have a clear understanding of transport routes and links.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff have a good understanding of the children’s strengths and vulnerabilities. The staff support and encourage the children to explore teenage friendships and relationships. The staff support the children in developing their understanding of danger through key work sessions, reflection, and open conversations. This helps the children to increase their awareness of risk for themselves.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager has written comprehensive risk assessments and safety management plans for the children. The staff strategies for supporting the children in managing these risks are clear and reviewed robustly after each incident. The staff encourage the children to participate in this process to further help them in understanding the impact of their behaviours and in taking responsibilities for their actions. As a result, children develop resilience and learn how to recover quickly from difficult situations.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff training focuses on keeping the children safe in the context of relevant risks. The completion of mandatory safeguarding training helps staff be consistent in their approach. When a member of staff was asked by an inspector about managing a child’s allegation, they confidently explained the process. As a result, children are likely to have any concerns addressed in an appropriate way.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and the staff have not explored with the children healthy relationships in the context of safe sex and consent, where necessary to do so. This is a missed opportunity for the staff in helping the children to understand the associated risks and their fundamental rights when entering relationships. This was an isolated example, and managers were receptive and reflective of how this could be better addressed with the children.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There has been an occasion where the manager did not notify Ofsted of a serious event. This omission has not directly affected the quality of care provided for the children but such practice does impede the regulator’s ability to effectively monitor the home in between inspections.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A new manager has been appointed and applied for registration with Ofsted. On the day of the inspection, the previous registered manager was present and provided support with the inspection process. Most members of the staff have transferred from another home run by the same provider. New members of staff have Inspection report children's home: 2611110 5 undergone required training in line with the children’s needs and the home’s statement of purpose.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear vision of empowering members of staff and supporting them to improve on their skills in all areas. This vision is clearly evidenced in the home’s workforce development plan which demonstrates robust training and reflective space through supervisions and staff meetings.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. This is evidenced in the home’s regulation 45 report which demonstrates the drive to improve, resulting in positive outcomes for the children. Members of staff are aware of the recommendations from the report and help to action these.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works well with other professionals. A social worker described the manager’s integrity and passion in delivering good practice and care of the children. The manager has worked collaboratively with the police to maintain safety and robust monitoring of the children when they are missing from home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff say that the manager provides regular and supportive supervision, and at a time suitable to their working patterns. The staff say that they can reflect and review on their experiences of supporting the children. The manager also uses supervision as an effective tool for professional development, this also feeds into the wider appraisal system. As a result, the staff feel listened to, appreciated, and part of the home’s developing staff team.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Medication is stored appropriately, recording is diligent, with clear oversight from the manager. However, there have been occasions where a child has not been at the home to take the medication. The staff have not shared or clarified this discrepancy with medical professionals. The missing of medication has not had an impact on the child’s health but could have a long-term effect. The manager recognised this during the inspection and arrangements to discuss this with the doctor were made on the day of the inspection.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have not notified the home’s local authority when children have moved into this home from a different placing authority. Managers were quick to identify this shortfall during inspection activities and acted immediately. The manager has since added this into the home’s admission procedures and manager’s monitoring checks. Inspection report children's home: 2611110 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify, without delay, the local authority for the area in which the children's home is located of every admission of a child into the home and every discharge of a child from the home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person is not required to notify the local authority in paragraph (1) if that local authority is also the placing authority for the child in question.

p.6

Requirement Due date

A notification under this regulation must be in writing and must state

p.6

Requirement Due date

whether the child is provided with accommodation under section 20 or 21 of the Children Act 1989(a);

p.6

Requirement Due date

whether the child is subject to a care or supervision order under section 31 of the Children Act 1989(b);

p.6

Requirement Due date

the contact details for— the child's placing authority; and the independent reviewing officer appointed for the child's case; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

whether the child has an EHC plan or a statement of special educational needs and, if so, details of the local authority with responsibility for the EHC plan or for maintaining the statement of special educational needs. (Regulation 41 (1)(2)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 10 July 2021

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.6

Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; 10 July 2021 Inspection report children's home: 2611110 7 an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

p.6

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.7

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child — is instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.7

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met;

p.7

Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff help each child to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child's relevant plans;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the child's health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child's health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child's age and understanding;

p.7

Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child's health and well-being needs; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child's well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) 10 August 2021

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should, where the home has questions or concerns about a Inspection report children's home: 2611110 8 child's medication, approach an expert such as a General Medical Practitioner, community pharmacist or designated nurse for looked-after children. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 35, paragraph 7.15)

p.7

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the 'Social care common inspection framework'. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the 'Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards'. Inspection report children's home: 2611110 9

p.8

Children's home details

Registered provider: Kennet Care Limited

p.9

Children's home details

Registered provider address: C/O Stan Colaco & Co, Regus Business Centre, Centurion House, London Road, Staines Upon Thames TW18 4AX

p.9

Inspectors:

Kelly Monniot, Social Care Inspector Alphie Khumalo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2611110 10 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.9

Inspectors:

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 . 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 http://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.10

Inspectors:

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

p.10

Inspectors:

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

p.10