Children's home run by Kent County Council in Ashford

Inspection report for children’s home: SC439282 1 SC439282 Registered provider: Kent County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This short-breaks service is jointly funded by the health authority and the local authority. The home provides short breaks for up to four children with physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was staying at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2022.

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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 good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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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: SC439282 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/10/2024 Full Good 19/12/2023 Full Good 16/08/2022 Full Good 02/12/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC439282 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individualised care from a caring and knowledgeable staff team. As this is a short-break provision, children’s needs are varied, and staff demonstrate immense skill in managing differing communication and behavioural needs. Children are making good progress and are excited to stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work collaboratively with parents. Detailed admissions meetings between parents and staff take place at the start of visits. This ensures that staff have the most up-to- date information when looking after a child and understand their care and health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s successes are celebrated through certificates, memory books and displays on the wall. Staff work closely with children, parents, social workers and education professionals to ensure that children experience consistent approaches to supporting their needs and helping them to meet their individual development goals. Social workers and families praise this approach, with one social worker describing this work as invaluable.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to be part of the local community. As well as going out to local restaurants they take part in activities such as litter picking and community events. Children contribute to a monthly garden programme, which helps them to learn how to grow and care for plants.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are taken seriously. Leaders use creative ways to gather feedback, including regular surveys and day-to-day conversations. Staff ensure that children know how their views have influenced decisions, for example through ‘you said, we did’ work. This helps children to feel valued and understand that their opinions matter.

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

There is a strong safeguarding culture in the home. Leaders support and challenge staff to be aware of risks and how to respond to them. They also ensure that they fully understand children’s needs so that they can provide safe care when the children are staying. Children are cared for in a safe environment by a team of staff who know their individual needs well.

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

Staff understand each child’s needs and use effective strategies to keep them safe. When children’s behaviour changes, staff respond quickly and provide support. This consistent and knowledgeable approach means that incidents of negative behaviour are infrequent.

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

The registered manager works effectively with the professional network to consult and share information when necessary. He has effective systems in place to oversee all aspects of safeguarding practice. He makes good use of quarterly reports to identify any Inspection report for children’s home: SC439282 4 patterns or trends in relation to incidents and supports staff to learn and improve care practice accordingly.

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

Safeguarding is a consistent topic in all supervision and team meetings, ensuring that staff are reminded of their responsibilities. Any concerns about staff practice are immediately responded to.

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

Improvements have been made to recruitment practice. Leaders and managers ensure that staff are thoroughly vetted and assessed before they are appointed. This ensures that only suitable people work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced and dedicated registered manager who is supported effectively by an experienced senior team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers lead by example and advocate strongly for children to ensure that they receive high standards of care. Leaders role model good practice by working closely with new staff to ensure that their expectations of care are shared and understood. Despite recent periods of sickness resulting in staff changes at short notice, leaders have ensured that any impact on children’s short breaks has been minimal.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers support staff well. Supervision, appraisal and training help staff to develop skills and understanding of their role. Staff speak positively about the support they receive and have confidence that the manager is available both formally and informally. When concerns about staff practice arise, leaders respond promptly, challenge appropriately and provide support to improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have made significant change in the home as a result of the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. They have recognised where practice needed improvement and introduced new systems to ensure strong management oversight of all aspects of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children’s views are valued. Leaders have acted on suggestions from children, resulting in changes such as redecoration and the addition of a garden canopy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Independent monitoring takes place through monthly visits. However, these visits do not provide adequate scrutiny or information to help leaders identify any potential areas for improvement or service development. Inspection report for children’s home: SC439282 5

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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 independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (5)) 30 December 2025

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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: SC439282 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kent County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sessions House, County Road, Maidstone ME14 1XQ

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Inspector

Mark Newington, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC439282 7 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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