Children's Home run by Channels and Choices Kent LLP in Kent

Inspection report for children's home: 2624222 1 Registered provider: Channels & Choices Kent LLP Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficultie s. There were five children living at the home at the time of inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation that operates several registered children’s homes. There is a school on the same site. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in July 2021; he is currently absent from the home, and an acting manager is in place.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2624222 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/03/2024 Full Good 21/03/2023 Full Good 22/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2624222 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children thrive in the staff’s care and make strong progress in all areas of their lives from the moment they move into the home. Staff talk proudly about each child’s progress and celebrate each small step. The clear structure, boundaries and therapeutic approach from staff support this progression.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The organisation’s Stepping Stones program includes specific steps and targets. This helps staff monitor each child’s progress towards their goals, including any planned moves to a family home environment. This program helps staff ensure that children are prepared for their future moves, allowing them to move at their own pace. Children’s moves are managed effectively. Continued support is in place for those who will move on to family living.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with the staff. The staff nurture and care for them. The staff interact with the children with genuine interest and good humour. If a child is feeling upset, the staff are quick to notice. They sensitively try to understand what is going on for the child and offer support when needed. These relationships help children feel valued, enjoy themselves and feel confident expressing their views and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported in joining local community groups, such as football and rugby clubs. They enjoy swimming lessons and cheerleading. This provides wider opportunities for the children to be a part of their community and develop friendships outside the home. One professional said, ‘The staff have promoted the young persons’ social independence and supported them to build them up to attending community social clubs.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children feel listened to and their wishes are usually acted on. They have plenty of opportunities to discuss their views, opinions and ideas through informal meetings and one-on-one time with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that education is well promoted. All the children attend school and are making good progress. The children enjoy their time there. Communication between the home and school staff is positive. An education professional said, ‘The strong sharing narrative ensures consistency between home and school.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children to see the people who are important to them, including family who live a distance from home. One professional commented on how supportive the staff are. The staff have advocated for a child to have family time in the community rather than in a ‘contact centre’ and have provided the staff to supervise this. Consequently, the child is feeling much happier about their time with their family. Inspection report for children's home: 2624222 4 Staff support the children to explore their identity and express themselves freely. This includes providing support with hair and clothing so children can have items that align with how they wish to identify themselves. However, there is not a well- planned approach to helping children better understand and celebrate their individual cultural heritage.

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

The safety and well-being of children are priorities for the staff. Staff are clear on how to raise safeguarding concerns. Staff have confidence that managers will act on their concerns. Open and effective communication within the staff team and with other professionals helps to strengthen the safeguarding culture. This enhances children’s safety.

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

The staff know the children well and understand each child’s strengths and vulnerabilities. Risk assessments and behaviour support plans are individualised for each child and discussed with the child. These plans are clear, detailed and regularly reviewed to reflect each child’s current needs accurately. The staff follow these plans, which ensures an effective and consistent approach. The children know how the staff will respond to them, and this helps children feel safe and supported.

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

There is a robust response to any incidents in the home. Any allegations made by children are thoroughly investigated. Senior leaders have taken action to work collaboratively with children’s professional networks to ensure that allegations are always listened to and reported to the relevant people.

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

Staff promote positive behaviour through recognising and rewarding good choices made by children. As a result, there has been a reduction in behaviour incidents and a decrease in the use of physical intervention. If it is necessary to hold a child for their safety, this action is taken only as a last resort. Afterwards, the child is provided with the opportunity to reflect on the incident at a time that feels right for them.

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

The staff work closely with the organisation’s therapeutic team, using creativity to support children to engage with therapy. The organisation’s therapeutic team works directly with the staff and the children, at home and in school, ensuring consistent care and support for the children. They ensure that staff feel well supported in meeting the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is absent from the home. The new acting manager, who has been in the post since October, has yet to apply to register with Ofsted. He works closely alongside the senior leaders and staff, who know the children well. He ensures that the children receive consistent, good-quality care and support. Inspection report for children's home: 2624222 5 There is good morale and enthusiasm in the staff team. Staff said they feel well supported by the manager and senior leaders, who they describe as supportive, knowledgeable and bringing about positive change. One staff member said, ‘I am privileged to be amongst a compassionate and dedicated team who go above and beyond to ensure exceptional care is provided to the children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions that help promote their well-being and development. They are also provided with a wide range of training, including training specific to the children’s current needs. This helps them feel confident in meeting each child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Newly recruited staff receive a comprehensive induction, which includes shadowing experienced staff. They find this valuable in helping them start to develop relationships with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have high aspirations for all the children and have inspired the same culture in the staff team. They maintain high expectations for staff to drive positive change and improve children’s lives. They express pride in each child’s achievements. Leaders genuinely care about the well-being of children. Inspection report for children's home: 2624222 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure the staff understand their important role in encouraging the child to reflect on and understand their history, according to their age and understanding. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 62, paragraph 14.5)

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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: 2624222 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Channels & Choices Kent LLP

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Atlas Chambers, 33 West Street, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 2RE

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Inspector

Sharron Dormand, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2624222 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 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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