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

Inspection report for children's home: 2572812 1 Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties. The home is run by a private organisation that operates several registered children’s homes. At the time of inspection, five children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

This home has not had a registered manager since 15 July 2022. However, an application to register has been received by Ofsted from the home’s current manager.

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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: 27 September 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2572812 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/09/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2572812 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

On 20 July 2023, an assurance inspection was carried out due to specific concerns received by Ofsted. At the assurance inspection, serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care and protection of children were identified. This is the first full inspection following the assurance inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive care from a dedicated and knowledgeable staff team. Since the assurance inspection, there has been an increased focus and development of expectations to ensure that staff are consistently responsive to children’s individual needs. Staff have acknowledged that this has improved children’s engagement with them and that there are early signs of progress for all.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Social workers talk with confidence about the staff team and feel that they work in partnership with them to ensure the best outcomes for children. In addition, social workers are positive about the new manager and the improvements they have made in the home. There is trust in the communication from the home and social workers no longer need to chase up reports.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in relation to their starting points. At the time of the assurance inspection, only one child was attending school regularly. Three children now attend school regularly and there are detailed plans in place to support the other children to re-engage in education. These plans are shared with and understood by the team, external professionals and children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are thoroughly considered and regular children’s meetings take place. These demonstrate good follow-up work and good feedback to the children. This has resulted in children’s views being fully considered about decisions that are made in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have benefited from an increase in the quality and frequency of one-to-one work with staff since the last inspection. This work shows emotionally supportive staff helping children to deal with some challenging life events. Also, since the last inspection, there has been a significant change to the environment. This has included redecorating all children’s bedrooms and redesigning the kitchen, office and the outdoor communal area. Children have been fully involved in this process.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in a wide range of activities and talk positively about them. Alongside planned weekly activities, group trips are planned for the next school break. When trips are planned, these are discussed in children’s meetings to ensure that all children can share their ideas. Inspection report for children's home: 2572812 4

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

Children’s risks are well understood by staff. Detailed risk assessments and behaviour management strategies are in place for all children. They are regularly reviewed and updated following any changes for each child. All changes are immediately shared with staff and there is good communication through staff meetings and supervision to ensure that their knowledge is relevant and up to date.

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

Allegations against staff are responded to robustly by leaders and managers. There is immediate communication with external safeguarding professionals and appropriate risk assessments are completed. This ensures that children are safe and that staff remain supported when under investigation.

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

Leaders, managers and staff have a good knowledge of the risks in the local area. To ensure this knowledge is well understood and is accurate, leaders consult with relevant agencies, including the police. This local knowledge, the detailed plans, high staff-to-child ratios and the support for children means that children do not go missing from the home.

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

Recruitment procedures are robust and clear protocols are followed. Extensive checks are undertaken, demonstrating due diligence by leaders.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All requirements set at the previous inspection have been comprehensively met. The manager has been permanently appointed to the home and has submitted her application to Ofsted. She has been instrumental in the home’s progress following the assurance inspection. A new responsible individual has been appointed. However, they are not yet in post.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have a clear understanding of the progress that children make. The new manager has worked hard to build relationships with the children individually and this has meant she has been able to support, observe and then advocate for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and effective supervision. Supervision frequency for all staff has increased and records demonstrate how staff are supported to manage the demands of their roles. However, actions identified and raised in staff supervision have been inconsistent. For instance, some staff have no actions identified, while for others there has been no follow-up when actions have been set. This means that the professional development of staff could be compromised.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and the manager are clear on the home’s strengths and areas for development. Although the requirements raised at the assurance inspection have been met, leaders and the manager have extended this improvement work to broader development aims. For example, leaders want to continue to develop the culture in the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2572812 5 Staff are consistent in their praise for the improvements in the home. Leaders and managers are seen by staff as available and supportive, and new staff acknowledge the way that they have been supported when joining the team. Inspection report for children's home: 2572812 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff supervision is meaningful and helps staff to develop and enhance their professional development. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.4)

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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 for children's home: 2572812 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 73 and 74 Maple Leaf Business Park, Manston, Ramsgate CT12 5GD

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Inspector

Mark Newington, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2572812 8 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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