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

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 1 SC023737 Registered provider: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to three children with social and emotional needs.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home at the time of this visit.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is currently on maternity leave. Since the last inspection, the home has been jointly managed by an interim manager and the organisation’s area manager.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 18 June 2025. This monitoring visit was undertaken to look at the progress made in response to the requirements issued at the last inspection. The provider has made some improvements, but several requirements have not been addressed and these are repeated.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Although some steps have been taken to improve staff’s understanding of how to respond in the event of an allegation, significant shortfalls remain. Prompt action to ensure the safeguarding of children has not immediately been taken when allegations have been made. For example, a staff member did not immediately inform the on-call manager after an allegation was made against them, and they remained on duty. Action regarding the staff member was taken only when the allegation was reiterated by an external professional. In two separate instances, staff have been permitted to work in other homes within the organisation following allegations made against them. This was without any risk assessment in place, or action taken to help mitigate risk to the children living in those homes. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 2 In one instance following an allegation, the manager failed to make the necessary

p.1

This monitoring visit

referrals to safeguarding professionals; they did not recognise a child’s disclosure to be a specific allegation, despite this being clearly identifiable in the incident record. In addition, managers continue to rely on external professionals to investigate allegations, rather than seeking assurance through their own inquiries. When decisions have been reached to not investigate allegations, the rationale has not been documented.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home. Some effort was made to support them to have a positive ending with staff. However, there was a lack of consideration given to supporting both children in the home to have a positive ending to their time together. Some work has since been undertaken with the child still living in the home to encourage them to reflect on and discuss the time they spent living with the other child.

p.2

This monitoring visit

One social worker shared a concern that the manager had not discussed arrangements with them before planning a holiday for a child. They were particularly concerned that the child’s history and associated risks had not been fully considered when proposing that the child be supported by a single member of staff. As a result, the social worker did not give consent for the child to go on the holiday.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There has been progress made in how staff support children following the use of physical intervention. Supportive discussions are now taking place consistently and management oversight has improved. Staff now routinely ask if children require medical attention after any use of restraint; however, on one occasion, this was not offered until the following day. Staff have been reminded during team meetings of the importance of offering medical attention promptly.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff and the child report that the home is now calmer and more settled, and that steps have been taken to make improvements to the home and care provided. Improvements have already been made to the home environment, which is now cleaner, safer and more homely.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There has been a marked improvement in staff morale. Staff report that they have a clearer understanding of the agreed approach to supporting children and managing challenging situations. A new member of staff spoke positively about their induction, stating that they felt well supported by the manager and their colleagues and had received the necessary training before lone working with children. Staff supervision is now taking place regularly and written records of discussions are being completed.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers have implemented a clearer system and plan for working with education professionals, which includes regular updates to promote more effective communication. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/06/2025 Full Inadequate 12/12/2024 Full Good 20/03/2024 Full Good 07/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

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;

p.4

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.4

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

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;

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 26 September 2025 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 5 The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

p.4

Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

p.5

Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located;

p.5

Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about past abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the alleged abuse or neglect occurred;

p.5

Requirement Due date

provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response;

p.5

Requirement Due date

describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(c)(d)(e))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that all allegations are acted on and when decisions are reached not to investigate, the rationale for this outcome should be clearly recorded.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 29 August 2025

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

p.5

Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 15 August 2025 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 6 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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

p.6

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")—

p.6

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(a) (3)(a)(v)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(i) (c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager should ensure that staff are clear on the approach to be taken to support appropriate behaviour from children in the home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The manager should also ensure that supportive discussions and the offer of medical attention are routinely provided to children following any use of physical intervention.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.6

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—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 26 September 2025 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.7

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)(a)(c)(e)(f)(g)(h))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.7

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour; 26 September 2025 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 8 encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

p.8

Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

p.8

Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

p.8

Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children;

p.8

Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(x)(xi)(b))

p.8

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.8

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

p.8

Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

p.8

Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter. (Regulation 40 (4)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)) 15 August 2025 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 9 This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.8

Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

p.9

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.9

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 10

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited, 17 Leigh Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 5EU

p.10

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Leslie Davenport

p.10

Inspector

Kerry Howarth, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC023737 11 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.

p.10

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 . 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.11

Inspector

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

p.11

Inspector

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

p.11