Children's Home run by Kites Children Services Limited in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for children’s home: 1230268 1 Registered provider: Kites Children’s Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of two children’s homes operated by a private provider. The home provides specialist therapeutic care and treatment for up to six children who have complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

There were five children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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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 requires improvement to be good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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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: 1230268 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/05/2024 Full Good 21/06/2023 Full Good 06/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/10/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1230268 3

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improvement to be good

During the inspection, two children spoke to the inspector. One child was away from the home, and two children were observed being supported by staff.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home. Children make progress from their starting points. However, there are shortfalls in the safeguarding procedures and managerial oversight. Combined, these shortfalls undermine the quality of care for children.

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improvement to be good

Staff do not ensure that all children’s bedrooms are clean and hygienic. The bathrooms require refurbishment. A build-up of limescale, mould and peeling paint are present in bathrooms. The rear of the garden has high stinging nettles and brambles. Improvements are necessary to ensure a homely and safe environment for the children. The children have contributed to how they would like their bedrooms decorated. These represent the children’s individual personalities.

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improvement to be good

At times, children have struggled to form positive relationships with one another. Staff have supported children to raise complaints and engage in resolution meetings to talk through their differences. One child recently made a complaint to the police due to racist language used by a peer. The child said that they felt supported to raise their concern by staff. However, incidents of this nature have not always been recorded effectively. As a result, the manager has been unable to monitor the frequency of this behaviour and the effectiveness of staff’s responses.

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improvement to be good

Children attend education provisions relevant to their needs. Staff support the children with their attendance, and each child is progressing with learning. Staff supported one child to apply for apprenticeships in transportation. Another child has been supported to apply for a college course. This supports children to plan for their futures.

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improvement to be good

Staff offer children a range of activities that support their interests. Children have taken part in youth clubs, cycling, meals out and trips to theme parks. This has supported the children to enjoy life.

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improvement to be good

Staff support children to see their families and friends. This has helped children to maintain links with people who are important to them.

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improvement to be good

Children are supported to take age-appropriate risks to develop their understanding of risk. Some children spend time in the community alone due to their progress. This has helped the children to understand how to keep themselves safe in the community and helps prepare them for independence. Inspection report for children’s home: 1230268 4 Children’s health needs are met. Staff support the children to attend routine medical appointments. Appropriate referrals are made for children to access additional support when required. Children benefit from regular therapeutic intervention and attend therapy sessions frequently. These help to support children with their health and emotional well-being.

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improvement to be good

On one occasion, the manager and staff failed to follow the safeguarding procedure. A child made an allegation of harm, and the staff connected to the allegation spoke to the child about what they had alleged. The allegation was not recorded as such, and therefore, management oversight was not provided. The manager failed to share the child’s concern with the local authority designated officer. The child retracted their concern, and information was shared with the local authority. However, failing to follow safeguarding procedures could increase the risk of harm to children.

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improvement to be good

One child’s record of allegation was not factually correct. Although the manager reviewed the information, crucial information was removed. This included the child’s verbatim account. This does not ensure that factual information relating to allegations of harm is appropriately recorded and shared with professionals.

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improvement to be good

Children’s risk management plans are updated after incidents. However, these are not a clear representation of the children’s vulnerabilities. One child is susceptible to radicalisation and requires a high level of supervision when using the internet. This information was not included in their plan. Another child’s plan describes that they frequently make allegations. Records do not capture this risk. Missing information and inconsistences in risk management plans could limit staff’s alertness to the risks children face.

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improvement to be good

Staff use consequences to support children to develop and reflect positive behaviour. The monitoring of consequences is poor. Records do not always include the effectiveness of the measure used by staff. The children’s views about the measure are not always obtained. Management oversight of records is not always provided. This does not ensure proportionality or consistency for each child.

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improvement to be good

Internal Closed-Circuit Television and door alarms are used due to the risks some children face. However, these measures have not been kept under regular review. This does not ensure that these restrictive measures have been considered on an individual basis for all children.

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improvement to be good

Physical intervention has been used on one occasion since the last inspection. This was used as a last resort. The child was supported with aftercare and spoken to about the measure.

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improvement to be good

There have been some incidents where children have been missing from home. Staff have responded appropriately and worked well with other professionals. When Inspection report for children’s home: 1230268 5 children return, they are welcomed home and supported to discuss the reasons for their absence.

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good

Leaders and managers do not have a consistent approach to monitoring the home’s performance. During a period where the manager was absent, monitoring did not take place.

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good

Management evaluations do not acknowledge poor staff practice. Gaps in records have not been identified. This does not ensure that staff are offered sufficient opportunities to learn from their practice and make the necessary improvements.

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good

Some staff benefit from regular supervision sessions and annual appraisals. However, not all staff have received supervision regularly. Staff are either enrolled on a level 3 qualification course or have gained this qualification. However, two staff members did not gain this within the required timescale. Leaders and managers did not identify these gaps. The lack of effective management oversight limits the ability to identify weakness and make continuous improvements.

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good

The shortfalls identified at the last inspection have not been fully addressed. Three requirements have been reinstated. In addition, two new requirements have been set.

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good

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025. He is qualified and dedicated to his role. Professionals talk positively about the support offered to children and feel children have made progress. Staff talk positively about the support that they receive.

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good

Team meetings are child centred and support staff practice discussions. This gives staff the support to reflect and develop.

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good

Safer recruitment processes are followed. New staff benefit from thorough inductions, which include mandatory training. For existing staff, additional training takes place that is specific to the needs of the children who live at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1230268 6

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(vi)(vii)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

leaders and managers must ensure that risk management plans are factual and include all risks for the children;

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Requirement Due date

ensure children are spoken to by someone independent when they make an allegation of harm;

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Requirement Due date

leaders and managers must review staff’s knowledge and training to ensure staff act in accordance with the home’s safeguarding and whistle-blowing procedures. 5 July 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 1230268 7 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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been restated. 5 July 2025

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s bathrooms are in good condition, the garden is free from brambles and children are supported to keep their bedrooms clean.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been restated. 5 July 2025

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes— 5 July 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 1230268 8 details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)— has spoken to the user about the measure;

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(v)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (c)(iii)(iv)) 5 July 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, ensure that all records are clear and detail the information in a concise and factual way. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 1230268 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kites Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Forge, Langham, Colchester CO4 5PX

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Inspector

Syvanna Matthew, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1230268 10 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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