Children's Home run by Pilgrims Corner Limited in Kent

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC473877 1 SC473877

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Registered provider: Pilgrims Corner Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home that provides care and accommodation for up to two children who may experience social, emotional and mental health difficulties. There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager. A manager has been appointed, but has not yet applied for registration with Ofsted.

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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 these inspections, the inspectors 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: SC473877 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

Staff know the child well and understand when behaviours are a communication of how they are feeling. Staff respond flexibly to support the child’s social, personal and emotional development, and consistently take their wishes into consideration to help them feel safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have worked sensitively with the child to motivate them to attend education. As a result, the child has started to attend school, and this achievement is recognised with meaningful rewards that are chosen by the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Children know how to use the home’s complaints process. Staff demonstrate that they take complaints seriously and follow the correct internal guidance when managing, recording and delivering outcomes for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the child’s risks and how to keep them safe. Risk assessments are clear and include the actions that the staff must take to best support the child. Managers are working towards improving ways to teach the child how to keep safe. This has included work with independent professionals.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff manage allegations well. They record clear chronologies and outcomes in all cases. Staff seek the appropriate professional advice and notify all relevant persons in a timely manner. Records are clear and identify the action taken by the manager to keep the child and staff safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical interventions are rare. When these are used, clear records detail the incident and the actions that the staff have taken to reduce the likelihood of future interventions being required. The child and staff are spoken to following the incident. This means that all involved are provided with time to reflect and learn.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is managed effectively and efficiently by the acting manager, who is insightful and focused on positive outcomes for children. The acting manager has not yet applied for registration with Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

The acting manager values staff, who feel supported, and their well-being is looked after. Regular meetings give staff the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification on how to respond to new concerns. Guidance is recorded and clear for staff to follow.

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Findings from the inspection

Despite recent staff changes, managers have worked hard to minimise the disruption to the child. New induction systems are in place to ensure that staff receive a positive and well-supported start in their roles. Managers recognise the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC473877 3 need for specialised training to further equip staff to support the child’s complex needs, and they have taken action to explore this.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been clear improvements in monitoring and reviewing systems. Managers maintain an effective overview of the home, tracking the actions taken and progressing new actions identified. This has improved the overall organisation of the home and ensured that important areas are being addressed in a timely manner.

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Findings from the inspection

Improvements have been made in the home environment, and shared areas are homely and welcoming. The acting manager has good oversight to ensure that repairs are completed. However, there has been a delay in ensuring that the child has full privacy from the window in their bedroom. The acting manager has made a request for this to be addressed.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/03/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/02/2023 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC473877 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff seek to meet children’s basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met. This includes maintaining the physical environment– doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child and value them as an individual. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC473877 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pilgrims Corner Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Gathering Space, Highland Court Farm, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent CT4 5HW

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Inspectors

Shirin White, Social Care Inspector Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC473877 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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