Children's home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2588753 1 Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to six children who may experience social, emotional or mental health difficulties. The home is run by a private organisation that operates several registered children’s homes. Five children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 5 September 2023.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This inspection was brought forward to address specific concerns identified in notifications received by Ofsted.

p.1

Inspection date: 16 November 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2588753 2

p.1

Outcome from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have good relationships with staff. There is a homely atmosphere, with laughter and enjoyment. Staff are emotionally warm and show a commitment to children’s growth and development. This includes taking them to health appointments, promoting a healthy diet and seeking medical advice when required.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff promote positive relationships. They work with children in many ways to ensure that they are respectful of each other and empathic. Where there is conflict, staff’s response is swift to ensure that children understand the need for managing this positively. Key-work sessions and house meetings are an effective way of addressing stresses in relationships. Where necessary, staff use mediation to help to resolve issues. As a result, children feel able to approach staff if they are anxious or unhappy about a relationship or situation.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff support children with a range of activities. Children have individual interests, including gymnastics, playing football and gaming. Children have pets and they receive support from staff to care for them.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children can express their views, wishes and feelings. Staff work in a positive way with children and encourage their input into the design of the house. For example, children and the manager discussed how best to use a room on the ground floor that is also used for educational activities. The manager was open to their suggestions and intends to put them to the wider group.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff show a commitment to equality and diversity. They celebrate difference and work with children to help them understand this. On an occasion when a child used racially inappropriate language, the manager and staff challenged this swiftly and appropriately. This included having meaningful discussions with the child during key- work sessions. Staff also worked with all the children around respect and British values. Staff receive regular training in equality, diversity and inclusion. The manager also provides workshops that cover these areas. This helps to equip staff with relevant knowledge and skills to promote and challenge equality and diversity issues.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff know how to manage children’s behaviours effectively. They are appropriately trained to manage conflict and behaviours that challenge. Staff receive training in de-escalation skills as well as physical intervention and restraint. Staff use restraint only as a last resort and to keep children safe. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2588753 3 Staff deal with incidents of bullying and physical aggression quickly and proactively. For example, when such an incident occurred, staff worked to protect the affected child and de-escalate the situation. Thorough debriefs followed, as well as key-work sessions and mediation. Staff also supported some of the children to undertake training around cyber-bullying. This helped them to understand the detrimental impact this can have on others. A social worker expressed satisfaction about how staff managed the incident. They are confident that the child they are responsible

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The leadership team and staff show commitment to keeping children safe online. Online safety is a regular discussion point in the home. Strong protocols are in place. There are limits on Wi-Fi usage and staff monitor internet use. The registered manager can request the blocking of various sites as required to improve the safety of children online.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The manager has processes in place to monitor the quality of the care that children receive. This monitoring is clear and consistent. It involves the children, staff and external professionals, such as social workers. One social worker said that they have a good relationship with the home and are happy with the care that the home provides.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The requirements from the last full inspection were not monitored in detail at this assurance inspection. However, there is evidence of some improvement. These requirements remain and will be fully reviewed at the next full inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2588753 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/05/2023 Full Good 10/08/2022 Full Good 09/06/2021 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2588753 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The 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.5

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h)) 15 January 2024

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

p.5

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.5

Requirement Due date

Specifically, records must consistently demonstrate that the child has been offered medical attention, and accurately describe how any measures were used and by whom. 15 January 2024

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— 15 January 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2588753 6 a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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.6

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

p.6

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.6

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)) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2588753 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2588753 8 regulates and inspects 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.

p.7

Inspector

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 .

p.8

Inspector

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 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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8