Children's home run by Kites Children Services Limited in Colchester

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC029560 1 SC029560

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Registered provider: Kites Children Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of two children’s homes operated by a private provider. The home provides specialist therapeutic care and treatment for up to six children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since April 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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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: SC029560 2

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Findings 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.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of this inspection, there were four children living at the home. They have all lived at the home for some time. No children have moved in or moved out since the last inspection. This consistency helps to build a stable environment for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Children appear to be happy, and interact warmly with staff. One child said that he likes living at the home because the ‘staff are very kind’.

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Findings from the inspection

All the children attend education provisions. Some children have bespoke educational arrangements in place. This includes working on a farm, developing a board game set, and private tutoring. These creative educational opportunities help to ensure that children receive education that is tailored to their individual learning needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy a variety of activities. There is an outreach team that organises activities with the provider’s sister home. This allows children to widen their social networks and have fun. Over the Christmas period, children enjoyed a light trail, a trip on a steam train to see Santa, Christmas markets, and picking a real Christmas tree for the home.

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Findings from the inspection

One child is part of a local football club and attends every week. He has also taken part in a volunteering scheme for six months as part of his Duke of Edinburgh award. Helping children to be part of the community builds their self-esteem and self-worth.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s individual plans are well written and they offer a holistic view of each child and their needs. They have helpful strategies in place to support staff to care for children. Staff understand these plans.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand safeguarding processes and who they need to share any concerns with. A recent concern was quickly to reported to the manager. The manager dealt with it swiftly and contacted the appropriate agencies. The local authority designated officer said that the provider quickly communicates any worries. Having a swift response to any concerns helps staff to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is dedicated and passionate about supporting the children in her care and achieving the best outcomes for them. She leads the team with clear direction, and this helps them to provide consistency for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Professionals, staff and children provided positive feedback about the manager. She has a calm and nurturing approach. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC029560 3 The staff use an alarm system as part of their safeguarding procedures. The alarm has recently been changed, and the sound is extreme. This could be unsettling for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The quality of supervision is good, when it occurs. However, leaders and managers do not always ensure that the frequency of supervisions meets the timescales set by the home. This was a recommendation made following the inspection in June 2023 and will be restated. All other requirements and recommendations have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC029560 4

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Date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/05/2022 Full Inadequate 09/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC029560 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff supervision is delivered in line with the home’s policy. This is restated following the June 2023 inspection. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that children’s homes are nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children. They will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. In particular, ensure that any alarm systems are sensitively designed, using the least-intrusive sounds necessary. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC029560 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kites Children Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Forge, Langham, Colchester CO4 5PX

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Inspector

Mary Costello, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC029560 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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