At Kennet Care we are proud of the work we do with children, families and key stakeholders. This has once again been recognised by Ofsted in our latest inspection of Langham. Below are some of the findings from this latest inspection:
Overall Experiences and Progress of Children and Young People (Rated: Good)
Warm and Caring Relationships: Children enjoy nurturing relationships with staff (referred to as adults), who know them well and help them flourish emotionally. This fosters a sense of accomplishment and self-worth, with even small milestones celebrated.
Feeling Valued and Listened To: Children relax in the home, feel their views are heard, and are made to feel welcome and loved, even if they’re struggling to accept support.
Consistency and Advocacy: Strong professional relationships ensure consistency in children’s lives. Staff advocate effectively for children’s wishes, ensuring they are understood in decision-making processes.
Education and Activities: All children are involved in education. Those not attending formal settings benefit from additional activities coordinated with the virtual school, in-house timetables to maintain routines, and mentors with lived experience to guide them through adolescence.
Health Support: Children’s physical and emotional health are prioritised. They access tailored therapy sessions, gain an understanding of health diagnoses, and receive support for emotions related to lifelong conditions. Joint working with medical professionals is strong, including seeking anxiety-friendly services and helping children attend appointments despite challenges.
How Well Children and Young People Are Helped and Protected (Rated: Good)
Understanding Risks and Vulnerabilities: Staff have an excellent grasp of each child’s risks, supporting them to recognise and reduce these while providing unconditional help in navigating social situations.
Response to Missing Incidents: Swift, effective procedures are in place for when children go missing, with strong joint working with specialist agencies to monitor changes in risks and presentation during absences.
Managing Behaviours: Behaviours of distress are viewed as communication, addressed restoratively with team collaboration and professionals. Responses align with children’s understanding and needs. Physical interventions are rare, followed by thorough debriefs to improve future approaches.
Safer Recruitment and Safety Measures: Children are protected from unsuitable carers through thorough checks, including for agency staff. Evacuation practices ensure emergency readiness, and the home is physically safe overall.
Effectiveness of Leaders and Managers (Rated: Good)
Competent Management Team: The home is well-managed by an experienced team (registered manager and two assistants) with high expectations. They role-model excellent care, keeping children central to practice. The responsible individual visits regularly and is known to the children.
Staff Support and Development: Staff receive regular supervision, group sessions, and team meetings to share ideas. They feel well-supported, praising the management and wide training variety, leading to confident, consistent child support.
Oversight and Planning: Managers maintain excellent oversight of progress, updating plans to reflect changes and keep them aspirational. They reflect on strengths and weaknesses, adapting approaches swiftly.
Joint Working and Challenge: Evident strong collaboration with partner agencies, including suitable challenges to ensure children receive required services.
Promoting Individuality and Diversity: Children’s unique interests and identities are supported through diverse activities, clubs, and cultural experiences. The home’s location facilitates access to culturally diverse communities. Discriminatory behaviours are addressed educationally as learned, promoting positive learning about differences.
Monitoring and Improvement: Managers use independent visitor feedback and regular monitoring to enhance practice and the environment.
This report emphasises the home’s strengths in relational care, protective measures, and leadership, creating a supportive environment where children make meaningful progress.
Congratulations to Langham, the Registered Manager and his team for another excellent year!
