Children's Home run by Bithoms Support Services Ltd in Medway

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2747588 1 Registered provider: Bithoms Support Services Ltd

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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 privately owned and provides care for up to two children who may experience social, emotional or mental health difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager resigned from their post in February 2024. A new manager started in December 2024 and is planning to apply for registration with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 18 December 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 18 December 2024

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. The inspector has 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: 2747588 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

Since the last inspection, two children have remained living in the home and are settled. Staff have started to build trusting relationships with the children, based on consistent support and understanding of the children’s needs and experiences. Children are happy living in the home and are making progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are helped to try a range of activities and find new interests. They are invited to give ideas about what they would like to do and are encouraged to enjoy spending time together at a pace suited to their individual preferences. One child has started doing more activities with staff in the community, and both children recently enjoyed a Christmas party with family in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have constantly worked with children to help them access education. One child goes to school, and their attendance has improved. Another child has experienced difficulties in obtaining a regular education provision. Despite this, the child has been helped to make progress, engage positively with tutors and explore their request to go to school. Managers have shown perseverance in trying to secure good-quality home tutor support while advocating for the child’s wishes and seeking to progress plans towards a school placement.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff promote positive behaviour by giving children consistent boundaries, helping them learn and working with them towards their personal goals. Children have shown through their behaviour that they trust staff and feel listened to. There have been a low number of incidents. When incidents have happened, these have been responded to quickly, with children having time to reflect and develop strategies for managing difficult emotions.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have taken positive action to improve plans for supporting children if they go missing from home. The appropriate protocols are in place, staff are clear on what to do if a child goes missing from home and how to support them on return. Staff have received the appropriate training and had a team meeting to further discuss their understanding of how to keep children safe. There have been no missing-from-home incidents since the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

All staff have received physical intervention training. Staff understand how to use de-escalation approaches to manage behaviour and when to use proportionate holds to keep children safe. The procedure for reviewing these incidents has also been enhanced. There is a new template for recording when physical interventions happen as a last resort, with built-in provision for managers to monitor and evaluate. There have been no physical intervention incidents since the last inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2747588 3 There are clear improvements in the arrangements for training. All staff have started the relevant qualification and have appropriate support to carry out the work required. Staff have received the training in how to meet children’s specific needs and understand how they apply learning in practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers ensure that pre-employment checks are carried out before staff start work. Managers now have organised systems to ensure that all checks are completed during the recruitment process. These systems include up-to-date Disclosure and Barring Service information and independent identification checks for agency staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have made sure that requirements identified at the last inspection have been addressed and there are improved monitoring and reviewing systems. Managers welcome guidance for ways to further improve the home and are keen to act on it quickly. One social worker said they are impressed by how quickly the manager made environmental changes following their feedback.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers value having a stable staff team and how this benefits the children’s care. Staff receive induction and supervision, which they find helpful in supporting them to learn their role and to give their ideas about children’s care.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have listened and reflected on what they could do better when considering plans for children to move into or out of the home. Updated care planning processes have been created to help managers understand what actions they need to take for each child. Procedures have not all been tested out in practice. However, the progress of the children and the low number of incidents demonstrate that current approaches are having a positive impact. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2747588 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2747588 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bithoms Support Services Ltd

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Inspector

Shirin White, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2747588 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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Inspector

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