Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Buckinghamshire

SC062317 Unique reference number 26 October 2009 Inspection date Paula Eaton Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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18 December 2008 Date of last 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 8 Inspection Report: SC062317

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Brief description of the service

This is a private children's home registered to take up to four young people aged between 12 and 18 years of age.

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Brief description of the service

The home is situated on a modern housing estate. Shops, bus routes and local amenities are within walking distance of the home.

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Brief description of the service

The house has three floors with a kitchen/dining room, lounge, conservatory and cloakroom on the ground floor. The bathroom, office and bedrooms are situated on the second and third floors. A garden and a garage are at the rear of the property.

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Brief description of the service

Currently four young people live in this home two of whom were present for all or part of the inspection

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Summary

This was an unannounced inspection at which all the key standards were inspected. The home provides a high standard of care for young people. Staff are committed to meeting the individual needs of young people and encourage and support them to pursue their interests and reach their potential.

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Summary

The home is well managed and has a stable staff team. Staff build positive relationships with young people and the professionals involved in their care.

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Summary

The standard of record keeping in the home is very high and there are excellent monitoring systems in place. 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

At the last inspection the service was asked to review the recruitment procedures to ensure that all the required information is obtained when a new member of staff is recruited. The manager could provide evidence that recruitment procedures have been reviewed in relation to changes made to the reference request form. However, recruitment files could not be checked as they are not kept on the premises. Recruitment files will be inspected at the next inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people benefit from a nutritious well balanced diet. Young people are involved in deciding on weekly menus and special dietary requirements are catered for. For example, Halal produce is provided for a young person of the Muslim faith and the menus include a Halal or vegetarian option for young people. Snacks and drinks are available including a bowl of fresh fruit. Food is generally stored appropriately and consideration is given to the correct storage and preparation of food in terms of the cultural needs of young people. However, good food hygiene practice is not always followed despite clear procedures being in place and staff training provision on food safety. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062317 Good systems are in place to meet and monitor the health needs of young people. Each young person has a separate health file that contains a detailed healthcare plan that is regularly

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Helping children to be healthy

reviewed and an up to date record of any appointments attended and treatment received. Staff seek the support of healthcare professionals where appropriate to ensure that the health needs of young people are met. This includes referrals to mental health services where there are concerns regarding the emotional well being of young people. Support and advice sessions on drug and alcohol awareness, sexual health and smoking are provided for young people.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good systems are in place for the safe storage, administration and disposal of medication. The manager has recently reviewed this system to add an additional safeguard for ensuring that there is a clear audit trail of medication coming into and out of the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people are afforded privacy and respect within the home. There are appropriate locks on bedroom and bathroom doors and all records are kept securely in the office. There is sufficient guidance in place for searching young people's rooms when there are concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people know how to make a complaint and feel that they are listened to by staff. The manager has introduced a 'Grumbles' book that enables young people to report any general issues they have in addition to the formal complaints procedure. Young people are informed about the complaints procedure verbally and in the young person's guide for the home. There are low levels of complaints made about the home but those that are made are dealt with promptly and records detail the action taken and outcome of the complaint.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sound child protection procedures are in place and staff receive regular training to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities with regard to reporting and responding to any concerns they may have. Anti-bullying policies are in place and any incidents are responded to promptly and effectively. Levels of bullying in the home are low, however, two young people have experienced bullying outside of the home and one incident in particular resulted in a serious physical assault. The home responded to this incident very effectively, providing support for the young person, liaising with the young person's school and the police and implementing monitoring systems to ensure that any further issues were picked up straight away. Good systems are in place for responding to occasions when young people abscond and adequate records are maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management is a key area of work in the home. Robust systems are in place for responding to unacceptable behaviour. There is a strong commitment to encouraging positive behaviour and supporting young people to engage in activities in and around the community. Positive behaviour is rewarded and as a result sanctions are rarely imposed and physical intervention is rarely required. Individual behaviour management plans are developed where required and these include clear guidance for staff to reduce levels of unacceptable behaviour. Young people are fully involved in this process and sign records related to behaviour management. Staff receive regular training in methods of managing difficult behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good monitoring systems are in place to ensure that the environment remains safe with appropriate safety checks taking place at regular intervals. Fire safety checks and fire drills take place at regular intervals and clear, up to date records are maintained. 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062317 Recruitment files and practice were not looked at during this inspection as they were not readily available at the home. This will be followed up at the next inspection. The manager did provide evidence of an updated reference form that is now being used that asks if there are any concerns regarding the suitability of the person to work with children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Levels of individual support provided for young people are excellent. Individualised plans of care are developed that cover all areas of need. These are very comprehensive and take into account the interests and aspirations of young people. Religious and cultural needs are considered and young people are supported to attend church or a mosque if they wish to. Individual risk assessments are completed for each young person outlining any identified risks and the action the staff should take to minimise these.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are supported to maintain educational placements wherever possible and staff liaise with schools on a regular basis. The home has it’s own classroom facility that is used for young people that are not in education. An education log is maintained for each young person so that their attendance and progress can be monitored and this also includes informal learning that takes place within the home. Young people have person education plans.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people have excellent opportunities to pursue leisure interests. Each young person has an individual activity plan that considers their interests and this is then pursued by staff so that young people have the opportunity to take part in activities they enjoy and gain new skills which supports improved self esteem. For example, one young person has been supported to join a local cricket club and the home has purchased a full cricket kit for this young person. Another young person has been supported to join boxing classes and an athletics club. Group activities are also arranged for young people including the cinema, bowling and trips to theme parks and there are in house activities available such as art materials, books and games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All young people have placement plans in place, which clearly set out the needs of the young person and the objectives of the placement. Young people are encouraged to contribute to these and they are regularly reviewed. Placement plans are very detailed and regularly updated to reflect any changes in young people's needs. Regular reviews of placements take place as required and young people are encouraged to be involved in this process. Staff also contribute to young people's reviews and advocate on behalf of young people to achieve outcomes that are in their best interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are supported to have regular contact with members of their family and friends. Details of contact arrangements are included in their placement plans and any restrictions are clear. Staff build positive relationships with parents and carers where appropriate to facilitate communication and support young people in maintaining relationships with their family. Young people are allowed to have friends visit at the home and are supported to visit their friends and maintain relationships with their peers. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062317 There are good systems in place for settling young people into the home and planning for their departure when they are moving on. These processes take into consideration the individual needs and views of the young people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Regular residents meetings are held and the young people are encouraged to air their views. The staff team works hard to engage with the young people and ensure that they are listened to. Questionnaires are issued to young people, parents and carers and social work teams on a regular basis so that the home can obtain feedback regarding the service provided.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people are encouraged to develop life skills including community integration and social skills throughout their stay at the home. Staff support young people to develop practical independent living skills which are included in their care plans.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is located in a quiet residential area with some local shops close by. The accommodation is decorated and furnished to a good standard and there is regular monitoring of the condition of the house. Young people are only restricted from entering the office area when there are no staff present. Although there is limited communal space, the lounge is an adequate size for young people and the office or conservatory can be used for meetings. Young people are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There is a suitable Statement of Purpose and Children's Guide for the home. These documents are updated regularly to reflect any changes within the service.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Staff focus on the individual needs of young people taking into account any religious and cultural needs. Young people are encouraged and supported to practice their religion if they choose to do so and any specialist needs are catered for.

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Organisation

There is a stable staff team at the home and high levels of consistency. The staff are supportive of each other and say that they work well together. There are always two staff on duty at the home together with management support on weekdays. Shortages of staff are covered by staff working extra shifts or by casual staff. Agency staff are rarely used. Staff meetings take place at least monthly and there is a good balance of gender, age, experience and race within the staff team.

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Organisation

All staff have either completed or are in the process of completing their national vocational qualification (level three). All staff receive core training to ensure that they are equipped to meet the needs of young people and this training is repeated at regular intervals as required. Staff also have the opportunity to attend additional training that is relevant to their role and meeting the needs of young people such as domestic abuse awareness and sexual health training. 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062317 Robust monitoring systems are in place. Regulation 33 visits take place as required and the manager effectively monitors records and staff practice on an ongoing basis. The manager is in the process of submitting her application for registration with Ofsted.

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Organisation

Young people's files are well organised and contain all of the required information. They are of a very high standard and young people are encouraged to contribute to these records where appropriate.

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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

13 November 2009 ensure that unnecessary risks to the health of young people are eliminated, in particular in relation to safe food hygiene practice. (regulation 23(c))

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC062317

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