Children's Home run by Little Acorns London Beach Farm Limited in Kent

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC023651 1 SC023651

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Registered provider: Little Acorns London Beach Farm 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 children’s home that provides care for up to eight children who experience social, emotional and who (may) have special educational needs and/or disabilities. There were five children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since November 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

The provider operates an independent school located in the same grounds as the home. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site.

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Inspection date: 15 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 15 January 2025

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: SC023651 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

A refurbishment of the home has improved the physical environment. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and reflect their hobbies and interests.

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Findings from the inspection

Children make good progress because they engage in the reward system that is adapted for each child’s individual needs. Staff make sure that children’s goals are broken down into manageable steps. Children’s achievements include trying new hobbies, attending clubs and making friends with children from outside the home. One parent told the inspector that their child is ‘a different person’ and that the work that has been done with them has ‘changed them for good’.

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Findings from the inspection

All children are in full-time education and their attendance is good. Staff work closely with school staff, and this results in a shared understanding about children’s current needs and the progress they are making.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand and implement children’s behaviour support plans. When children are struggling to manage their emotions, staff make successful use of strategies that help them to feel more settled. Because of the positive relationships enjoyed between children and staff, there has been a reduction in the frequency of incidents that require physical restraint.

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Findings from the inspection

A fire risk assessment has been completed by the Fire and Rescue Service, and this identified several actions that managers need to take to reduce the risk of a fire. There has been a delay in some of the actions being addressed, and some work has not yet been completed. This undermines the fire safety of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s bedroom doors have alarms fitted to ensure children’s safety and well- being during the night. However, the alarms are not always deactivated during the day. The rationale for this is unclear, and the use of the alarms has the potential to have a negative impact on children’s privacy.

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Findings from the inspection

A family-time liaison officer has been appointed. They ensure that children have opportunities to spend time with the people who are important to them. The family- time liaison officer and the registered manager advocate on behalf of children so that arrangements for family time are in children’s best interests and are positive experiences for children and their families.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is passionate about improving outcomes for children. They make effective use of staff supervision and professional development to ensure that staff understand how to meet children’s needs in line with their plans. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC023651 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/08/2023 Full Good 05/10/2022 Full Good 05/05/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC023651 4

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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 person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(d)) 28 February 2025

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person should ensure that all recommendations in the fire risk assessment have been met. 10 March 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC023651 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Little Acorns London Beach Farm Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: B3 Kingfisher House, Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE11 0JQ

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Inspector

Sonata Brisley, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC023651 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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