Children's home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Thanet

Inspection report children’s home: SC023745 1 SC023745 Registered provider: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company that operates several other children’s homes in the area. The company provides an education service for those who require this. According to the home’s statement of purpose, a nurturing and safe environment is provided for children with an autistic spectrum condition and/or severe to moderate learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has not been a registered manager since 22 June 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 18 November 2020 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 26 February 2020

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children’s home: SC023745 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/02/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 20/05/2019 Full Good 16/01/2019 Full Inadequate 03/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC023745 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Highly individualised care, consistently delivered by caring and committed staff, helps the children to settle quickly and make good progress. The anxieties of new children reduce when they move in, and trust in the staff soon begins to develop.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The relaxed and confident staff are attentive and develop a good understanding of the needs and vulnerabilities of the children. They are creative and inventive in the way that they communicate with children who have complex needs, including through the use of computer games and structured play with figurines. Staff use such methods to discuss difficult topics meaningfully and to prepare the children for important activities, such as medical appointments. This helps to equip children for their next steps and the challenges they will face as they grow up.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work closely with parents, carers, and other professionals. One placing social worker commended staff for their dedication and creativity in the way that they individualise care and keep her well informed about the well-being and progress of the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The gathering and assessment of information about children before they move in is thorough. Their needs, risks and vulnerabilities are well understood. This helps staff to connect with the children and build positive relationships. However, assessments do not adequately consider the likely effects of the new children moving in on the children already living here.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most plans are effective in guiding staff to support the children’s progress, but some are lacking in focus and do not address key behaviours effectively. Consequently, children do not make the best possible progress in all areas.

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

The calm and confident staff team provides consistent structure and routine for the children. Staff maintain clear boundaries with appropriate expectations and positivity. This helps to create a secure and predictable environment for the children and helps them to moderate their behaviour where necessary.

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

Since the last full inspection, staff have succeeded in maintaining a settled home. There have been no incidents of restraint, no children going missing from the home, and few other noteworthy incidents.

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

When required, safeguarding procedures are followed closely and are concluded correctly. This helps to maintain high standards of staff conduct and practice and contributes to a safe environment for the children. Inspection report children’s home: SC023745 4 The health and safety aspects of the home are well managed, and no shortfalls or significant hazards to the children were identified in the home. However, assessment of the suitability of the neighbourhood and wider locality is largely generic and requires review so that the staff and children can better understand potential hazards and opportunities, particularly in the immediate area.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The recently appointed manager has applied for registration with Ofsted. He leads a dedicated and cohesive staff team with a strong teamworking ethic. He has effectively managed a staff shortage, exacerbated by the children having much free time during the summer holidays.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

During this period, the staff team chose to regularly work additional hours rather than use cover staff from within the wider organisation. This was to maintain stability and consistency for the children, who struggle with difference and change. The extra pressure on individual staff has been openly and actively managed through regular supervision sessions and ensuring that staff have proper periods of rest. This pressure on the staff team is ended by the children’s return to school and a new member of staff about to start.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Record-keeping is maintained to a good standard. Records are detailed and accurate and reflect affection and care for the children, as well as good knowledge and understanding of their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff express confidence in the manager and speak about their sense of inclusion in all aspects of running the home and in important decisions about the care and well- being of the children. They are knowledgeable about the children and their complex needs and show motivation to develop their knowledge and skills further to better meet these needs. Inspection report children’s home: SC023745 5

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

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’.

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Recommendations:

 The registered person should ensure that managers work closely with the placing authority to understand the child’s relationship history and the impact that the child’s arrival may have on the group living in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 38, paragraph 8.3)

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Recommendations:

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand factors that affect children’s motivation to behave in a socially acceptable way. Staff should encourage an enthusiasm for positive behaviour through the use of positive behaviour strategies in line with the child’s relevant plans. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.13)

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Recommendations:

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s location review includes the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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: SC023745 6

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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: 17 Leigh Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 5EU

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Leslie Davenport

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Inspector:

John Pledger, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC023745 7 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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