Children's home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Thanet

Inspection report for children’s home: SC023741 1 SC023741 Registered provider: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to three children who may experience social, emotional or mental health difficulties. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since July 2024.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

Outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected Outstanding

p.1

Outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers Outstanding

p.1

Outstanding

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for outstanding.

p.1

Outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

Outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC023741 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/07/2023 Full Outstanding 20/04/2022 Full Outstanding 05/05/2021 Full Outstanding 25/04/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC023741 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection, three children have successfully moved on from the home. This was a planned move to a home where there was more space for them to play. One child has moved into the home in an emergency due to a safeguarding concern. This was quickly arranged by the organisation to reduce the impact on the child during difficult circumstances. The manager made sure that the child had time to prepare and had familiar staff to help them. This meant that the child was helped to understand the reasons for the sudden move and had a sense of stability, with support from trusted people in their new home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Following the move, staff have provided nurturing, protective care where the child has learned, grown and developed. Consequently, the child has made huge progress from their starting point. Other professionals are very positive about this and staff are immensely proud of the child’s achievements. The child has built confidence in talking to others, made meaningful connections with people in their life and demonstrated their capacity to never give up when faced with personal challenge.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child has made progress in many areas of their life and has been helped to explore the activities that they most enjoy. For example, the child’s talent for drama is promoted at theatre school. Their performances are widely admired and have been celebrated through awards. The child has lots of fun things to do and has been helped to make and sustain new friendships. In addition, they undertake a work experience placement and hope to get paid employment. These experiences have further built their sense of self- esteem and place in the world.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have helped the child to engage positively in education. When the child has experienced difficulties, staff have been strong advocates for them and supported teaching staff to understand the child’s individual needs and implement positive support strategies. The child has been empowered to choose which course they are most suited to, while also attaining key functional skills. As a result, the child has achieved academically, their attendance is good, and they have a positive experience of education.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child is supported to explore their identity at a pace that is led by them. When the child has shown curiosity about different identities and genders, they are sensitively helped to learn about the life experiences of others. Staff make sure that the child has the freedom to ask questions without judgement, while ensuring that any information given is appropriate and sensitive to the child’s understanding and background. Consequently, the child feels accepted for who they are, and comfortable in expressing their thoughts and feelings.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff meet the child’s health needs in a discreet and measured way,. The child has been helped to learn about their personal hygiene. This means that they have a good understanding of how to look after themselves and are more independent in this area. Inspection report for children’s home: SC023741 4

p.3

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

Since the child moved in, there has been a strong focus on helping them feel safe. Staff have built positive, trusting relationships with the child and supported them to engage with other professionals. Support has been carefully planned to ensure that it is individualised and risks are carefully monitored. As a result, there are a low number of incidents. There have been no physical interventions, and the child does not go missing from home.

p.4

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

Leaders ensure that all risks are considered and there is clear guidance for staff on how to recognise and respond to any concerns. When there are incidents, they are managed well and there is an emphasis on reflection and learning from what happened. A strength of the team is their child-centred approach. Staff are skilled at helping the child to learn about how to stay safe, manage their feelings and learn strategies to deal with situations more effectively in the future. Staff use key-work sessions to support continued learning for the child. Staff have a sound knowledge and an approach that the child trusts.

p.4

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

Staff have completed extensive training in safeguarding and therapeutic parenting. As a result, all staff recognise how previous trauma influences children’s behaviour. Staff are skilled at helping the child navigate complex thoughts and feelings in a way that helps them feel understood and recognised, while having clear, consistent boundaries that help to guide the child.

p.4

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

When there have been difficulties in getting specialist support, the manager has worked tirelessly to challenge the delay with other professionals and sought ways to ensure that the child has interim support while this is arranged. As a result, the child’s immediate safety and long-term care needs have been met and there is a clear plan for future support that has been championed by the manager. The child has a health promotion specialist who meets with them regularly to provide additional support. This has had a positive impact and improved the child’s mental health.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a force of aspiration and positivity and continuously strives for improvement. This approach has inspired the same culture in staff. The manager overcame some initial challenges with establishing a stable team by carefully shaping the service around the needs of the child and working with the strengths and expertise of individual staff. As a result, staff show genuine care and affection towards the child and there is a family feel in the home. Consequently, the child has an established base from where they have been able to make progress and thrive.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have regular supervision and appraisals from a manager who places high importance on offering staff consistent, good-quality support. This means that staff have time to reflect, learn and develop while gaining a clear understanding of the expectations of their role and responsibilities. Staff value the support provided by the manager and Inspection report for children’s home: SC023741 5 feel that this has given a positive direction for the team, and enabled children to develop. One member of staff said that seeing the child’s journey has been ‘genuinely amazing’. Staff feel looked after, and their individual needs are accommodated so they can be successful in their role.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is extremely organised and has established systems for effective oversight and monitoring of the care provided to children. They are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the service and have ambitious plans to make the home the best it can be. This includes a new bespoke design for the large games room that will be decorated around the child’s favourite activities.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from external professionals is positive. There is good communication between the professional networks, including regular updates on children’s progress. The child’s independent reviewing officer reflected on how there is a genuine care and affection from the staff who want the best for the child. They said that the team stretches the child with their independence while understanding their vulnerability, and felt that the child is happy in the home.

p.5

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: SC023741 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 17 Leigh Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 5EU

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Leslie Davenport

p.6

Inspector

Shirin White, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC023741 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.7

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7