Children's home run by Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd in Thanet

Inspection report for children’s home: SC023645 1 SC023645 Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd

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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 privately operated home is part of a larger organisation that has several homes in the area. The home provides care and accommodation for up to 7 children with social and emotional difficulties. Six children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 11 March 2021.

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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

Date of last inspection: 29 January 2025

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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: SC023645 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/01/2025 Full Good 03/07/2023 Full Good 07/03/2023 Full Good 09/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC023645 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in an environment that is well maintained and homely. Children have personalised their bedrooms and are supported to take care of their space and their possessions. Children have a sense of belonging, and they say that they feel at home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well and speak about them fondly. The dynamics in the home are positive, and the interactions between staff and children are warm and natural. Children speak highly of their relationships between each other and with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop skills for adulthood. Children enjoy cooking, and one child likes to create meals for the household.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are given opportunities to have fun and make memories. Staff organise activities for children, such as swimming, youth clubs and holidays. Staff create memory books that capture children’s positive experiences. Children can take these with them as they move into adulthood as reminders of their time in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are accessing education and making progress. The registered manager advocates on behalf of children’s individual educational needs, which has had a positive effect on children’s outcomes in education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health is prioritised well, and staff have good oversight of their healthcare needs. Staff support children’s emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children living at the home have a range of identities and backgrounds. The importance of children’s individualism is understood by staff, and efforts are made to inform children about their heritage. Children are supported to maintain relationships with their families. Staff assisted one child to write a letter to their sibling, who they have not seen in a number of years. This has helped the child to gain a better sense of their identity and belonging.

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

Staff understand children’s individual vulnerabilities and are attuned to their behaviour. As a result, children receive guidance and support that enables them to develop the skills and resilience to manage their emotions and deal with any associated feelings.

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

There have been no allegations or complaints since the last inspection, and the occurrence of incidents is low. Physical intervention is used appropriately and only as a last resort. Staff use their skills of de-escalation when challenging situations occur. They seek children’s views afterwards to help children understand what happened Inspection report for children’s home: SC023645 4 and ensure their views are considered. Staff also have the opportunity to reflect and make necessary adjustments to practice.

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

Staff understand the risks that affect children. Risk assessments are updated regularly and include clear strategies for staff on how to mitigate any identified risks. Staff notice when new risks emerge and liaise with external agencies to share information quickly. This practice ensures that risks do not escalate.

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

Children rarely go missing from the home. When this does occur, the registered manager shares information with the police and children’s social workers. Staff understand the protocols they should follow and make efforts to find children quickly so they can return home safely. On children’s return, the registered manager ensures that their views are sought so that appropriate care can be provided and any preventative measures are implemented.

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

Medication is stored safely, and there is a suitable medication management system in place. Since the last inspection, there has been only one medication error, which was identified swiftly via the effective audit systems implemented by managers. Staff were provided with additional training, and medical advice was sought.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is competent and passionate about her role. She has a thorough understanding of the home and uses a range of systems to monitor the experiences and progress of children. This oversight, coupled with her knowledge, enables the registered manager to continually develop the service provided to children living at this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals and family members compliment the way that managers and staff work with them to support children to feel safe and to make progress. One parent said, ‘I wouldn’t change anything. I get on well with them, and my son has made lots of progress since moving there.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high aspirations for children and is a strong advocate for them. She listens to children’s views and escalates concerns if responses from external agencies are not satisfactory. This ensures that children receive the right support that meets their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular comprehensive supervision that is reflective and supportive. Staff speak highly of their role and the support they receive from the manager and the senior leadership team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff access training in core areas including safeguarding, behaviour management and first aid. This gives staff the skills to meet the individual needs of children. Most staff have achieved or are undertaking the relevant level 3 diploma. However, two staff members have not completed this qualification within the expected timescales, Inspection report for children’s home: SC023645 5 despite efforts to achieve this. If not resolved, children will continue to be cared for by some staff who are not appropriately qualified. Inspection report for children’s home: SC023645 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

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)) 27 April 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC023645 7

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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: SC023645 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorn Homes (UK) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 73 And 74 Maple Leaf Business Park, Manston, Ramsgate CT12 5GD

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Inspectors

Stephanie McDonald, Social Care Inspector (lead) Cassie Martin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC023645 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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