Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Buckinghamshire

SC067757 Unique reference number 4 August 2009 Inspection date Lucy Martin Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757

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Brief description of the service

This children’s home is registered to take young people aged 12 to 18 years and is owned and operated by a private organisation. The home is located on a modern housing development close to all local amenities.

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Brief description of the service

The home sets out to provide medium to long-term care for young people who need particular assistance with managing offending behaviour. Where appropriate, young people are supported in returning home or staying longer to manage transitions to more independent settings.

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Brief description of the service

The ground floor has a kitchen, separate dining room, lounge and a large conservatory which is used as a classroom during the day. The main office, cloakroom and an additional room are also on the ground floor. On the first floor there are four bedrooms, one of which has en-suite facilities, and a communal bathroom.

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Brief description of the service

At the rear of the property there is a small garden with an area for parking.

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Brief description of the service

Currently, there are three young people living at the home, all of whom were present during the inspection.

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Summary

This was an unannounced inspection at which all the key standards were assessed. The inspection took place three months after the last inspection when the home was judged to be inadequate and was issued with a notice of action to improve.

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Summary

The home has undergone dramatic and significant improvements since the last inspection. The management of the home has changed and the shortfalls identified at the last inspection have been fully addressed. It is now providing a good standard of care to the young people living there. The staff feel well supported and there are good relationships within the staff team and with the young people. The behaviour of the young people is managed well and there is robust monitoring of the operation of the home. The young people enjoy living at the home and they receive good levels of support. The records and the young people's files are of a good standard and provide clear evidence of the work undertaken with the young people. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A number of significant improvements have been made since the last inspection, in a variety of different areas. There were six requirements made at the last inspection and five have been met. The sixth could not be assessed on this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There are now clear and effective management monitoring systems in place and the staff rota is maintained up to date to accurately reflect all the staff on duty. There is clearer evidence that the young people's health needs are met. Some improvements have been made to develop an independence plan for young people leaving care which meets the requirement made but a recommendation has been added to develop this work further. Likewise, there has been improvement to the food menus with changes to the menu being recorded but fuller, more 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757 detailed recording would better evidence that a varied diet is provided. The requirement has been met but a further recommendation has been made. There have been no new staff appointed since the last inspection and so the requirement concerning staff recruitment records could not be assessed. This will be carried over to the next inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were eight recommendations made and all have been met. Training has been provided to staff regarding epilepsy, safeguarding concerns are risk assessed prior to new admissions and the risk assessment includes the likely effect of the admission upon the existing group of young people. The behaviour management strategy in place for each young person is fully documented and there is additional information on file regarding how the home supports and promotes education.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All the staff team are receiving regular, formal supervision and improvements have been made to the main office space with the addition of a window in the roof.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The young people are provided with adequate quantities of food. They say that they generally enjoy the food and that in addition to the food cooked by the staff team, that there are regular opportunities to enjoy takeaways and meals out. Meals are eaten together and are enjoyable social occasions. Snacks such as fresh fruit are readily available and older young people are involved in budgeting, shopping and preparing their own meals in preparation for leaving care. Since the last inspection there have been improvements made to the food menu to ensure that any changes made are recorded. This is a positive move but there is still insufficient detail to adequately demonstrate the provision of a suitable and varied diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Each young person now has a written health plan in their file which is a comprehensive document outlining medical history and needs. Appointments to health care professionals are made and recorded and all the young people are registered with local doctors, dentists and opticians. Therapeutic support is available for the young people and details are recorded in their files. Health promotion is provided and the young people have attended a workshop looking at drugs and substance misuse. Individual work is also undertaken looking at issues such as stress management.

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Helping children to be healthy

All medication is securely stored in the medication cabinet in the office. Details regarding medical consent are recorded on the young people's files. There are sound medication administration systems in place for any young person taking prescribed medication. These systems are monitored by the management on a regular basis. Since the last inspection, all staff have attended training regarding epilepsy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The young people's privacy is respected and all confidential information is securely stored in the office. There are occasions when it has been necessary to search a young person's room but there are clear procedures in place and detailed records are maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people know how to complain and any complains made are taken seriously. Improved records are kept which show that prompt action is taken as a result of concerns raised. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757 The home has up to date child protection procedures and ensures that staff receive training in safeguarding. The staff team has knowledge of the local authorities safeguarding procedures in order to make referrals. The home admits young people from a variety of backgrounds including those who have a history of abuse and/or sexualised behaviour. Initial assessments are carried out prior to admission which make a full assessment of the young person's history and the impact of admissions for both the admitted young person and the existing group. Safeguarding issues are now considered regarding new admissions including whether additional staffing is required. Any incidents regarding safeguarding are well recorded and additional staff

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

have been put in place as a response to specific concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The young people have a good relationship with the staff team and feel able to report any incidences of bullying to them. These are acted upon and recorded in a bullying monitoring file. There are clear procedures in place to be followed if a young person goes missing from the home. There are links with the local authority who automatically visit any young woman who has gone missing from the home to discuss issues about safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a behaviour management programme which is a key area of work. There is now clarity regarding how this programme works for each individual young person and that this is a structured, comprehensive programme which involves all areas of their lives. Good behaviour is rewarded with points which are converted into money on a weekly basis. There is a therapeutic manager who analyses the results on a monthly basis and who meets with the young people. Sanctions given are appropriate and are in line with the programme.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The staff team have been managing challenging behaviour and situations well. Few physical interventions take place and are fully recorded and monitored by the management.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety matters are taken seriously. There are weekly checks of the fire alarm system and regular fire drills take place. Annual gas safety checks and checks of the portable electrical appliances are carried out. Fridge and freezer temperatures are recorded on a daily basis. Risk assessments are undertaken regarding activities and for any other risks to the young people. These are regularly reviewed and now include where there may be safety concerns due to medical conditions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Visitors are asked to sign in on arrival. No permanent members of staff have been appointed since the last inspection. Some agency staff have been used to cover nights and information has been obtained from the agency that their Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check has been undertaken within the last 12 months.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The young people receive good levels of individual support. The young people feel able to talk to members of staff and have regular one to one sessions with their keyworkers which are well recorded. Some of the young people also receive regular therapeutic support from a member of staff within the organisation. A local advocacy service is available and information regarding this is available in the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The education of the young people is actively promoted. Local schools and colleges are attended and the home is also registered as a school. Work is undertaken with the young people if they move in and a school has yet to be identified and education meetings are attended. The 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757 information in the young people's files regarding education has improved. Personal Education Plans are available and weekly reports contain up to date information regarding education.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The young people take part in a wide range of activities. Recent events have included trips out ice skating, to the cinema and all of the young people have enjoyed a recent weekend away to Blackpool.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A placement plan is written for each young person on admission and this is followed by a detailed and comprehensive care plan outlining the young people's needs. The care plans are signed by the young people to indicate that they are in agreement with the document and the plans made. The progress of each young person is reviewed on a regular basis and weekly summaries are written and sent to the placing authorities. This system works well to ensure that progress and development is regularly reviewed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There has been one planned admission to the home since the last inspection. A written assessment was undertaken before admission detailing the needs of the young person concerned and likely effects of the admission upon the existing group of young people. Young people moving in are provided with a copy of the young person's guide and are made to feel welcome. One young person left the home during this inspection and this was handled sensitively and professionally by the staff on duty.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The young people are encouraged to keep in contact with friends and family whilst living at the home. Visits are facilitated and the young people are provided with a 'top up' for their mobile phone and the cordless office phone can also be used. The staff team have good relationships with the young people's families and keep them up to date with developments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Regular meetings take place where the young people are able to have their say. These are well attended and a range of topics are discussed.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. The children's home has young people who are preparing to leave care and live independently in the community. They receive an allowance and are expected to shop and cook most of their own food. Some improvements have been made in documenting the support provided but there is still little detail regarding how the home are preparing and assessing independence skills such as budgeting and cooking and other areas outlined in this Standard.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The accommodation is homely and is well decorated and furnished. The organisation employs a member of staff to undertake smaller maintenance tasks across all the homes and this ensures that areas requiring work are quickly addressed. Work has been undertaken to install a roof window in the main office to allow additional light which ensures that this room is now fit for purpose. The home has a small garden at the rear where some fresh fruit and vegetables have been grown by the staff and young people.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757 There have been changes to the management of the home since the last inspection. The Registered Manager no longer works for the organisation and the area support manager is currently acting as the manager. There is also a new acting deputy which is a promotion from within the existing staff team. The current management arrangements are working well and have helped contribute to the significant number of improvements made.

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Organisation

The home continues to have a small, yet stable staff team. Staff feel well supported and that they are working more consistently as a team. Regular staff meetings have been taking place as well as regular formal supervision sessions. There is a on going programme of staff training with a comprehensive induction for new members of staff. Since the last inspection, all the staff have attended training in epilepsy and two staff have completed their NVQ level 3 qualification.

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Organisation

There are good staffing levels at the home with a minimum of two staff on duty at all times. There has been a good response to situations where extra staffing may be required and a waking night member of staff has been used on these occasions. There are regular bank staff who cover shortfalls in the rota and some agency staff have been used to cover the waking nights. The rota is maintained up to date and accurately records who is on duty.

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Organisation

There are sound, effective management monitoring systems in place. Monthly checks are completed and

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Organisation

The young people's files are well maintained and contain all the required information. Improved recording systems are in place which ensure that there is clear overview of the work being undertaken with the young people.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The home has experience of working with young people from different cultures and ensures that needs are met. The staff team is diverse in terms of age, race and gender and training in quality and diversity has been undertaken. Negative stereotypes are challenged and specific pieces of work looking at discrimination have been undertaken with some of the young people.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Due date Action Standard

20 July 2009 obtain for all staff, before they start work at the home, all the information set out in Regulation 26. (This could not be assessed on this inspection and is carried over to the next inspection). 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure menus show that a varied and balanced diet is provided at all meals (NMS 10) • ensure that there is evidence demonstrating how older young people are being prepared for leaving care and that this information is regularly reviewed (NMS 6) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757

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