Children's Home run by Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited in Kent

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC023744 1 SC023744 Registered provider: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by a private company and provides care for up to 3 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2024.

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Information about this children's home

Date of last inspection: 10 December 2025

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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 these inspections, 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: SC023744 2

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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

This assurance inspection was carried out following a requires improvement to be good judgement at the last full inspection in December 2025.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are happy, well cared for and enjoy living in the home. They are making positive progress in all areas.

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Findings from the inspection

Children's education is a priority. Managers and staff have open and honest communication with other professionals, working together in supporting children with their educational engagement. Children are all attending school full time and are excelling in a range of subjects. One child has been able to obtain 2 GCSE qualifications before typical examination age.

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Findings from the inspection

Children's social and emotional skills are developing. They are learning to safely manage feelings of frustration. Therapeutic support services are utilised to support children to work through their individual experiences. Children are involved in considering if they need therapeutic support, and managers keep it under review with the therapist and social worker. One child's need for external therapeutic support has reduced. Managers have ensured that the option to reengage remains open and under review with the child and their network.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are consulted regularly. Children's meetings take place and these are pitched to the children's interests. One-to-one sessions and children's meetings give them the opportunity to discuss and reflect on their experiences, future plans and the routines of the home. These forums have enabled children to share their views on menu planning, activities, holidays and house rules. As a result, children are receiving individualised care and support.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have fun. They are encouraged to enjoy activities inside and outside of the home, including swimming lessons and trips to the trampoline park, go karting, exhibitions and watching fireworks. In addition, there are a range of celebrations that take place in the home. Children's views are sought on what they would like to do on their birthday and at Christmas. Family-style celebrations are attended by all staff, including those who are not working, demonstrating to children that they are valued and loved.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are settled and have learned the skills to express their feelings appropriately. Incidents in the home are rare. When they do happen, staff are equipped and prepared to respond. Staff know children well and swiftly identify changes in their presentation. They explore these changes in a timely way, offering children support to explore and learn from incidents inside and outside of the home. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC023744 3 Adults have built positive relationships with children, which enable them to have honest and difficult conversations. This creates a safe space for children to have discussions in relation to their peer groups, substance misuse and sexual development. As a result, children are able to grow and learn to make informed decisions in a supportive environment.

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Findings from the inspection

Cleanliness in the home has improved. This is a large home and some areas require further refurbishment and updating to create a homelier environment for the children. Leaders and managers are aware of this and are building a schedule of works and refurbishment to take place over the coming year.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is child focused and caring. He has high aspirations for the children and the staff who work in the home. Staff value his support and guidance and feel this has helped them to support children and to progress in their careers. Since the last inspection, 2 staff have received promotions into senior roles.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive regular opportunities for supervision and reflection. Team meetings and group and individual supervisions are well structured. They provide staff with regular opportunities to discuss their personal development, safeguarding and the progress and care of children. Supervision sessions result in clear actions for managers and staff to take to improve and maintain the quality of care in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Organisationally, leaders and managers have created contingencies to reduce the need to move staffing across services. Managers are maintaining suitable staff rosters and there has been no lone working since the last visit. In addition, the manager has introduced a system for monitoring and reflecting on staffing sufficiency to consider, if necessary, how occurrences of lone working can be limited in the future. A companywide change has helped staff to feel more valued by the organisation and has resulted in improved staff morale. Children are now benefiting from improved consistency in staffing.

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Findings from the inspection

All requirements from the last inspection are met, and no new requirements or recommendations have been set as a result of this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC023744 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/12/2024 Full Good 08/08/2023 Full Good 22/08/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC023744 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Ethelbert Specialist Homes Limited

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Children's home details

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

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Leslie Davenport

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Inspectors

Georgia Carty, Social Care Inspector Emma Blake, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC023744 6 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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