Children's Home run by Moonreach LTD in Kent

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2523034 1 Registered provider: Moonreach LTD

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home can provide care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties. It is operated by a private company, which has other similar homes in the area.

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Information about this children’s home

There were three children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There has not been a registered manager in the home since 20 May 2024.

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Inspection date: 28 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 28 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: 2523034 2

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Findings from the inspection

The inspector 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

The new deputy manager has brought stability and consistency to the home since the last full inspection. A new manager has been appointed, but they are yet to start in post. The manager’s induction plan has been reviewed and improved with the intention of ensuring that any development needs can be swiftly identified and met. As the plan has not been implemented, the effectiveness is not yet known.

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Findings from the inspection

There is good oversight of safeguarding issues, and managers have positive relationships with external partners, who contribute to plans to protect children and reduce risks. Leaders have improved the way they record their responses to safeguarding concerns and are aware that they need to continue to strengthen staff practice around this. Children engage in meaningful conversations with staff around areas of vulnerability and learn how to keep themselves safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers are working hard to instil a culture of learning, reflection and professional curiosity. Trauma-informed approaches have been introduced, and leaders are ensuring that these are embedded into daily practice.

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Findings from the inspection

When children are absent from the home and there are concerns, staff respond according to the child’s safety plan and in line with statutory guidance. When there is a suspicion that children are being exploited, managers proactively engage the multi-disciplinary network to devise methodical safety plans. Monitoring and recording of any concerning behaviour or activities are detailed, and actions taken to increase the safeguards around the child are multifaceted.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have several forums of discussion to consider children’s needs and the impact of the care they provide. There are good examples of children making progress at this home, particularly in developing their independence skills.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s bedrooms are tailored to their personal needs, and they are active participants in deciding their decor. Special occasions, such as birthdays, are thoughtfully considered, and staff are proactive in encouraging children to seek out activities that are in line with their interests.

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Findings from the inspection

As a result of the current instability of the management team, there is not an embedded system for monitoring and oversight of the quality of care that children receive. This means that managers are unable to be confident that they fully understand children’s experiences of care and the resultant impact on their outcomes. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2523034 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/10/2023 Full Good 14/12/2022 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2523034 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h)(f)) 30 May 2025

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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. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)) 30 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate professional development. (Regulation 33 (1)(a) (4)(a)) 30 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2523034 5 In particular, ensure that the home’s manager is supported and supervised to learn and develop.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the staff skills for safeguarding include being able to identify signs that children may be at risk and support children in strategies to manage and reduce any risks. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.10) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2523034 6

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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

Tash Williams, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2523034 7 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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Inspector

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