Children's Home run by Stevens Children’s Homes in Medway

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2816350 1 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Registered provider: Stevens Children’s Homes

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. There were 3 children living at the home at the time of the inspection. The home is run by a private organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 18 February 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2816350 2 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a change in manager who has focused on establishing a caring culture with staff who understand their role in looking after children. There have been significant changes to the environment, with new decoration, bedding and furniture, making the home feel warm and welcoming. Children value these changes and welcome these improvements.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have developed positive relationships with staff. Because of staff’s consistent approach, children have begun to see positive progress in their lives. Children have been supported to prepare for their next steps through dedicated independence plans. This is helping children to understand how to better look after themselves while also learning about key skills, such as budgeting and cooking.

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Findings from the inspection

Children give their views in a variety of ways. House meetings now take place regularly, so all children can spend time sharing their views. Leaders have responded well to these, and have made several changes to the environment as a result. Children also have dedicated time with trusted members of staff to talk about things that may be worrying them.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are aware of their responsibilities in keeping children safe and use consistent expectations and boundaries. Children who have previously been involved in high levels of going missing and antisocial behaviours have been supported, through guidance from staff, focused one-to-one sessions and education from external professionals, to make safer choices. For some children, this has resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of dedicated support they require and an increase in their independence. Despite this positive improvement, on occasion staff have missed opportunities to explore information that could better inform safety plans to safeguard children when they are missing from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

When concerns about staff practice have been raised, these have been shared immediately with external safeguarding professionals and other relevant agencies. Managers follow up on concerns and implement any actions recommended by the professional network.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are supported through regular, effective supervision, during which important aspects such as relationships with children and performance are discussed. Achievable targets have been set and are reviewed regularly.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has responded well to the requirements from the last inspection, with nearly all being met. However, she is yet to establish a system that allows her to monitor the progress and impact of change within the home effectively. The home is changing recording systems and currently information is Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2816350 3 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Findings from the inspection

stored in a variety of places. This fragmented approach undermines managers’ and staff’s ability to easily monitor and review aspects of care practice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2816350 4 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2816350 5 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, strengthen practice in relation to exploring risks that children may be exposed to when out in the community without staff supervision. 30 April 2025

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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—

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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

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;

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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. 30 April 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2816350 6 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f)(h)) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2816350 7 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stevens Children’s Homes

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 84 High Street, Garlinge, Margate CT9 5LP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Chanelle Stevens

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Inspectors

Mark Newington, Social Care Inspector Ben Wilson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2816350 8 SENSITIVE-OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspectors

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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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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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