Children's Home run by Moonreach LTD in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home: SC448997 1 SC448997 Registered provider: Moonreach Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to two children who may experience social, emotional or mental health difficulties. At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. The provider operates several other homes in the local area.

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Information about this children’s home

The post for a registered manager has been vacant since 4 February 2024.

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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 requires improvement to be good

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good

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

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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: SC448997 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/08/2023 Full Good 31/01/2023 Full Good 29/06/2021 Full Good 12/03/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC448997 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are settled and have developed positive relationships with staff. Times of fun and laughter are shared, and there is warmth and joy in interactions. One child spoke about how they have ‘clicked’ with one trusted staff member and said that they can share their worries and feelings. This positive attachment supports the child’s emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to explore their interests and try new activities. Children regularly engage in their hobbies, which include baking, gymnastics and horse riding. Children’s creative talents are celebrated, with artwork proudly displayed in the lounge. One child has been supported to become more active and has grown more confident to access the community. Furthermore, the child has been supported to navigate public transport, which has improved their independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made good progress with their education. One child has been supported to return to school on an individualised plan following a significant gap in their learning. Another child has been supported to resume full-time education following a reduced timetable. These are positive achievements for the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s health and emotional needs are met. Children attend all medical appointments, and consultations take place when any new health concerns emerge. When there are concerns about children’s mental health, referrals are made to relevant services. Therapeutic support is available for children, with one therapist reporting a huge improvement in one child’s mental well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spend regular time with their families. Visits are supported by staff, in line with agreed plans. Children share their views on family time, and arrangements are kept under review. One child has recently experienced an overnight stay with their family. Staff ensure regular communication with children’s families and share information accordingly. One family member described the staff team as ‘friendly’ and ‘supportive’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are sought through direct conversations and key- work sessions. Regular home meetings enable further opportunities to consult with children. Children make choices on activities, weekly menus and their bedrooms. Children understand the complaints procedure. No complaints have been made since the last inspection.

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

Staff understand the individual risks for children living in the home. Children are supported to learn how to stay safe through regular discussions and key-work sessions. Referrals are made to external services when specialist support may benefit children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC448997 4 When new behaviours of concern or risks emerge, there are proactive responses from staff to seek further support for children.

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

Allegations from children are infrequent. Any allegation made is taken seriously and is fully investigated. Referrals are made to relevant authorities to ensure a coordinated response in the safeguarding process. Staff understand the importance of their role in keeping children safe and know how to escalate any concerns they may have.

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

Staff take prompt and appropriate action when children go missing from home. Staff search the local area, and relevant parties are informed. Safety plans are clear and provide relevant guidance for staff. When children safely return home, independent return interviews are requested in line with statutory guidance. Staff understand the importance of these interviews and will contact professionals should delays occur.

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

There have been several incidents in which the behaviour presented by children has increased their risk of harm. Children’s relationships with peers who do not live in the home have not always been managed effectively, which has resulted in an increase of risk-taking behaviours. Strategies identified in children’s plans are not consistently followed. Furthermore, there have been occasions when the response from staff has escalated children’s behaviour.

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

On occasion, consequences are used to support children to understand the impact of their behaviour. However, records do not provide enough detail on what actions were taken to avoid the use of the consequence and whether it was effective in supporting the child. Children’s views are not always sought following the use of consequences. Furthermore, language used in records is not always child friendly, with blame towards children for their presenting behaviours.

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

The home is maintained to a high standard and operates in line with health and safety requirements. A responsive maintenance team is available to rectify any potential hazards in the home. When necessary, appropriate adaptations are made to the home to reduce risks to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

There has not been a registered manager in post since February 2024. The home’s deputy manager is currently fulfilling the role of acting manager. She is supported effectively in her role by senior leaders and other managers in the organisation. A new manager has recently been recruited and is undergoing pre-employment checks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Senior leaders are visible in the home and understand the home’s strengths and areas for development. The acting manager makes use of monitoring systems to ensure regular oversight of the home. If shortfalls in monitoring are identified by senior leaders, action is taken by implementing new processes to make improvements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff are supported in their role by the acting manager and receive regular practice- based supervision. Children’s needs are central to conversations, and safeguarding Inspection report for children’s home: SC448997 5 concerns are discussed. Regular team meetings provide further opportunities for wider reflection, celebrating achievements and identifying any further actions to make improvements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Regular training is provided to staff, ensuring continuous professional development. Training is tailored to meet children’s individual needs. Senior leaders have identified that improvement in practice is required around supporting children with their behaviour. Action has been taken by sourcing appropriate training to be delivered to the staff team in the upcoming months.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The acting manager maintains positive working relationships in children’s professional networks. Information and records are shared appropriately. Professional network meetings are attended by staff from the home. One social worker said there is regular communication with the home and that the acting manager will advocate for children during meetings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff are safely recruited to work in the home through a robust recruitment process. All necessary checks are carried out, and any gaps in employment are clarified. This ensures that children are safely supported by a suitably vetted staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: SC448997 6

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and

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Requirement Due date

the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 (1)(a) (2)(a)(b)) 30 August 2024

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(b)) 30 August 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC448997 7 The registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure;

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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 (3)(a)(v)(vii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that records of consequences contain all required information. 30 August 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: SC448997 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4 Dane John Works, Gordon Road, Canterbury CT1 3PP

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Inspector

Chris Warren, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC448997 9 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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