Children's Home run by Kent County Council in Kent

Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 1 SC037282 Registered provider: Kent County Council

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides short-break care for children with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and associated complex needs. The maximum number of children who can stay at the home at any one time is 7. There were 2 children staying at the home at the time of this inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2022.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, a total of 52 children were being supported on a rotational basis by this short-break service.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

requires improvement to be 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.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 12 February 2025

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/02/2025 Full Good 06/02/2024 Full Good 02/08/2022 Full Good 24/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 3

p.2

improvement to be good

Children generally have positive experiences and make progress during their short breaks, and most enjoy their stays. However, a number of weaknesses in leadership, management and safeguarding practice reduce the overall quality of care.

p.3

improvement to be good

The home occupies a large plot and includes a fully accessible play garden for the children. Bedrooms are clean and appropriately decorated to support a comfortable stay. There is ample communal space, with plenty of facilities to keep the children busy and engaged, such as a playroom, music room, soft play area and a jacuzzi spa for fun and relaxation.

p.3

improvement to be good

Many of the children who use the service have complex health needs associated with their disabilities. Managers ensure that each child’s needs are assessed before their first stay and that they receive a personalised transition plan. This may include short visits for a few hours or coming for tea before overnight stays begin. These gradual introductions help children to settle into routines and feel comfortable, so that they can enjoy their time at the home.

p.3

improvement to be good

The staff are supported by a team of NHS practice educators, who play a key role in meeting children’s health needs. They assess children’s complex health needs when they first come to stay and then undertake ongoing reviews. Practice educators provide tailored training, guidance and oversight, including for delegated healthcare tasks, to ensure that staff are competent and confident in delivering safe and effective care.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff demonstrate skills in building and sustaining positive relationships with children, even when there are long gaps between visits. They know each child’s personality and likes and dislikes, and mostly respond sensitively when children are upset or unsettled. When children’s behaviour changes, staff do not make assumptions; they consult with parents, carers and education staff to understand any recent developments and agree strategies that will help the child to feel secure and settled during their stay. However, on some occasions, records show the staff have not provided care to the expected standard, and this has not been subsequently explored with the staff or the child.

p.3

improvement to be good

The registered manager recognises that care plans and records do not fully capture each child’s journey or provide sufficient guidance for newer staff to deliver consistent, effective care. Records do not capture how children are supported to achieve their goals or to make progress. The registered manager has audited the care plans of all the children and has plans to improve the quality and detail of records. Despite these shortfalls, most staff know the children well and respond sensitively to their individual needs. Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 4

p.3

improvement to be good

The registered manager reviews incidents for patterns and trends, to support children’s development and behaviour. The staff work in collaboration with other professionals and parents to review any changes to the children’s needs between their stays. However, some incidents, while reported by staff, have not been escalated to senior leaders. This means that senior leaders cannot be assured that appropriate action has been taken.

p.4

improvement to be good

Many of the children do not use words to communicate. Staff use a range of approaches to meet individual communication needs. These strategies enable the children to express their wishes and views and to make independent choices. However, staff have not received training in one particular commonly used communication system, so some children may not always experience the full benefit of this method of communication.

p.4

improvement to be good

Risk mitigation strategies are in place for staff to follow to keep the children safer. These include comprehensive plans around children’s complex health needs. Some children’s plans lack sufficient guidance for staff on how to support children’s behaviours and escalation. However, plans are in place to review this guidance, as senior leaders have recognised the need for improvement.

p.4

improvement to be good

Restrictive practice is sometimes used to help children to manage periods of distress. Staff do this sensitively and in the least restrictive way. However, there are missed opportunities to reflect with children after incidents to help them to explore their feelings. The registered manager has identified this and has plans in place to improve practice.

p.4

improvement to be good

Recruitment and vetting processes are not sufficiently robust. Some staff files do not contain a complete employment history, and there is no evidence that gaps in employment history have been explored or that reasons for leaving previous roles with children or vulnerable adults have been verified.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Until recently, the registered manager was dual registered across two services. This arrangement limited their ability to maintain effective oversight and ensure that children consistently received good-quality care. Since returning to this service full time, the manager has introduced plans to strengthen leadership oversight and to improve the quality of care. An action plan is in place and is at an early stage of implementation.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Systems for monitoring and oversight of children’s care are not sufficiently effective. Records show that care is inconsistent at times, and in some cases managers were not aware of these shortfalls and therefore did not take action to address them. Consequently, some incidents have not been reported through the correct routes to ensure transparency, such as consultation with the local authority designated officer or notifications made to the regulator. Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 5 Staff are not receiving regular, high-quality supervision. Records are often brief and lack sufficient detail. Many staff have raised concerns about practice and attitudes to workload, but others do not feel confident to do so. Where concerns have been recorded, there is little evidence that appropriate action has been taken. In some cases, the registered manager has not been aware of these issues and has therefore not been

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Records do not provide assurance that staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet children’s needs. They do not demonstrate that mandatory training has been completed or that updates are maintained as required. Additionally, staff have not received annual appraisals. This is a missed opportunity to ensure the staff are supported with their continuing professional development.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager has updated the statement of purpose but has not submitted it to the regulator as required. The document lacks essential information, including details of healthcare professionals, their supervision arrangements and the home’s approach to monitoring and surveillance.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Reports from the independent visitor are not sufficiently rigorous and do not provide meaningful reflection or clear actions for senior leaders to drive improvement. The views of children are not evident in these reports, which means that their opinions about their experiences are not represented. Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 6

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider should ensure that:

p.6

Requirement Due date

there are suitable risk mitigation plans in place for children, and that staff understand and implement these plans;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that senior leaders and staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and have the skills to take effective action when there are concerns;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the provider’s policies in place to safeguard children are effective, understood and implemented by senior leaders and staff. 31 March 2026 Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 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—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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 work as a team where appropriate;

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

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

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)(b)(c)(f)(h))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider should ensure that:

p.7

Requirement Due date

staff have the skills and training required to support children’s needs, including training to support children with their communication methods;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the care provided to children is consistent with the approach and ethos outlined in the home’s statement of purpose, and that this care supports children to make progress towards their goals;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the staffing culture ensures effective team working and provides consistent, good-quality care for children;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the systems for senior leaders to monitor and review children’s care are effective. 31 March 2026 Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 8 The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

p.8

Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(iv))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider should ensure that the aims and outcomes of the home’s statement of purpose are understood by senior leaders and staff and children receive good-quality personalised care. 31 March 2026

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.8

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home;

p.8

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.8

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d))

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered provider should ensure staff recruitment records include the following:

p.8

Requirement Due date

if a person has previously worked in a position involving work with children or vulnerable adults, verification so far as 31 March 2026 Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 9 reasonably practicable of the reason why the employment or position ended;

p.8

Requirement Due date

a full employment history, together with a satisfactory explanation of any gaps in employment, in writing.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.9

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed;

p.9

Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(c)(f))

p.9

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the quality of care planning for children, ensuring that plans are sufficiently detailed to guide staff and that children contribute towards their care planning. 31 March 2026

p.9

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 (3)(c))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider should ensure that children’s views are sought and added to the record. 31 March 2026

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.9

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(e)) 31 March 2026

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.9

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; 31 March 2026 Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 10 have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff supervision is conducted regularly by a suitably experienced person and that effective records are kept, and ensure that staff receive an annual appraisal.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

p.10

Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b)) 31 March 2026

p.10

Recommendation

 The registered provider should ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

p.10

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: SC037282 11

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kent County Council

p.11

Children’s home details

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

p.11

Inspector

Sara Stoker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC037282 12 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.11

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.12

Inspector

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

p.12

Inspector

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

p.12