Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Milton Keynes

SC391379 Unique reference number 20 November 2009 Inspection date Sharon Lewis Inspector Key Type of Inspection

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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: SC391379

p.3

Brief description of the service

This is a private children's home registered to take up to four young people aged between 12 and 17 years of age. The home is owned by an organisation which has numerous homes within the regional area. The foundation of care is therapeutic. There is also reference to social pedagogy theories.

p.4

Brief description of the service

Four young men currently live at the home. All were comfortable and appreciated the stable, homely atmosphere. One actively participated in the inspection.

p.4

Summary

This announced inspection was the home's first inspection since registration in May 2009. All the national minimum standards were examined. The home demonstrated a commitment to promoting good outcomes for young people. Young people benefit from outstanding arrangements relating to their individual support and personal growth. Young people are able to engage in a range of excellent activities. Young people respond well to the nurturing, stable environment. Young people find all of the care 'good'. A structured, cohesive, care planning system enables young people to make remarkable progress. The theoretical behavioural management system, positively rewards socially acceptable behaviour. Young people have the opportunity to reflect and openly discuss their feelings. Staff are enthusiastic and work in a confident and holistic manner.

p.4

Summary

The main area for development relates to minor shortfalls with recording. These refer to the sanction record, staff files and menus. Recommendations are made to further improve practice. These relate again mostly to record keeping, the statement of purpose and the disciplinary procedure. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

This is the home's first inspection, since registration in May 2009. This service has been inspected for the first time against the national minimum standards.

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Young people benefit from the home's holistic approach to healthcare. Staff encourage young people to lead a healthy lifestyle. This relates to their diet, emotions, physical exercise and personal choices. Young people enjoy nutritious meals from a range of different cultures. Staff promote the social aspects of eating together. This can be lunch within the home or going out for meals. The majority of young people are on an independence programme. The home provides them with a food budget. Young people enjoy this sense of responsibility. They devise their own menus, shop and prepare their own meals. Staff also assist with cooking meals and promote good food hygiene. Young people describe the food as 'good'. Staff usually record the daily menus served. There are a few occasions, where this was not completed. This does not significantly impact on young people. 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC391379

p.4

Helping children to be healthy

The home ensures young people achieve good health outcomes. There are links with local health services. Young people routinely register with a doctor. They have regular appointments with the dentist and optician. There is a strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing. Staff refer young people to local mental health services. Young people have access to and choose to meet a therapist who visits every week. Staff are able to manage a range of issues and receive appropriate training. This includes self harm, psychiatric problems and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. It is the home's aim for the majority of staff to obtain a counselling qualification. Young people respond well to the caring, listening, nurturing atmosphere.

p.5

Helping children to be healthy

Young people receive education and support regarding their personal and social health. This addresses smoking, alcohol misuse, drug use, sexual health and personal hygiene. Staff tackle issues. It is encouraging that young people wish to give up smoking. Young people take great pride in their personal appearance. Attending the gym and exercise, is an additional part of their respective routines. Medical administration arrangements are sound. Staff securely store medication and appropriately maintain relevant records.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home takes positive steps to ensure the safety of young people. A good system of mutual respect operates within the home. Young people confirm that staff treat them well. There is a respect for privacy. Bathrooms are lockable. Staff also appropriately maintain confidentiality. There is an open access to files policy. Young people know they can view their personal information, when they wish.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are able to complain in person or anonymously. Complaint slips are available in the hallway. House meetings provide an opportunity for young people to discuss issues within a group. Staff promptly respond to complaints. The home has a clear procedure for responding to safeguarding concerns. This complements the regional area procedures. The staff induction covers child protection. The home has links with the local safeguarding board. Young people confirm that they feel safe. Care plans demonstrate a good safeguarding element. They address sexual exploitation, maltreatment, neglect and protection from involvement in crime.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people receive protection from the home's ethos of countering bullying. Staff effectively manage situations. They are very sensitive to group dynamics. Young people understand that the home does not tolerate bullying. Young people enjoy being at home. They have the opportunity of spending time with their peers or staff. They also have the freedom to retreat to their rooms or other areas of the house. The open family atmosphere contributes to the very low absconding rate. Procedures are in place, if young people go missing. The home has a notification procedure which is currently under review. The aim being to provide written proof that documentation has been sent to Ofsted.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has an extremely, comprehensive behaviour management system. The system rewards young people for positive behaviour. Young people enjoy striving to achieve specific levels. Every level enables them to achieve higher privileges and monetary rewards. The system focuses on strategies to support each young person. There is a high element of praise, diversion and negotiation. This enables young people to develop a greater sense of self-responsibility. A therapist assists in the weekly evaluation of each young person. The formulation of graphs provides clear evidence of young people's individual progress. Young people report that sanctions are fair. Staff closely monitor behaviour and record all sanctions. The only shortfall is that staff, 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC391379 do not consistently record the consequences and effectiveness. Through the monitoring of the overall system, however, captures this information.

p.5

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The organisation undertakes relevant environmental checks to ensure the safety of the building. Working practices safeguard the welfare of young people. The recruitment procedures generally meet requirements. Minor shortfalls relate to record keeping. One file did not have evidence of the staff member's National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) training. Interviewees do not consistently record the date on their interview notes. It is good to see interviewers explore gaps in employment. This information, however, is not always clearly recorded. These are minor issues and do not effect the good outcomes young people receive.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive excellent support, which enhances their lives. Principles of social pedagogy and therapeutic theory inform the home's way of working. Young people make remarkable progress, within a short amount of time. A variety of care plans contribute to structured and consistent individualised support. Young people engage positively in weekly key work sessions. These along with life space interviews enable them to reflect and openly discuss their feelings.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people state that the home has 'helped them to grow'. Staff assist young people to make sense of their past and plan for their future. Young people appreciate this support. A good example of this is working on their life story. Part of the home's development plan involves establishing links with a range of helping agencies. This is beneficial for young people, as staff can easily identify services to meet their needs.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The home values education. Personal development is an integral part of life at the home. Staff proactively highlight young people's strengths. This assists with building up their confidence and raising their self esteem. The majority of young people are over 16. They are currently attending college or considering other options. This includes apprenticeships and mentoring. Where young people are not in education, staff advocate for this need. The home is also able to provide home tutor support. A designated education room is available. Young people are able to use laptop computers or other resources to contribute to their learning. The home enables young people to attend staff training sessions. The result being young people receive training in first aid and food hygiene. These are valuable life skills and contribute to young people's achievements.

p.6

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people benefit from the home's outstanding approach to activities. The home sees activities as a great way of diverting young people from negative behaviours. Staff take great pride in introducing young people to new activities. The organisation invests highly in these arrangements. Young people can enjoy regular group and individual activities, of their choice. This gives young people the chance to develop their hobbies, interests and talents. Young people are able to play golf, snowboard, design and build items, go karting and take driving lessons. Young people regularly go to the cinema or bowling. The home has their own vehicle. This enables young people to go on day trips to the seaside, theme parks and on camping trips.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC391379 The home has an effective care planning system. The home produce a range of care plans for each young person. These complement the placing authority plan. Young people's documentation provide a good assessment of their needs. This includes health, education, likes, dislikes, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, issues and trauma. They also address the Every Child Matters outcome areas. This enables staff to work in a focused, consistent manner. The home has a good system for reviewing placement plans. They involve young people in this process. Staff encourage young people to participate in reviews. Staff also prepare reports which provide a detailed picture of young people's progress. Young people do not sign their care plans. This would promote greater accountability and further cement the ethos of partnership working.

p.6

Helping children make a positive contribution

Relatives and friends of young people are able to visit the home. The home welcomes guests. Care plans detail contact arrangements. Young people receive encouragement and support to maintain contact. Staff record all persons young people have contact with. The home has admission criteria. The aim is to have a smooth, planned transition. Staff prepare young people for moving on. Young people enjoy living at the home and are reluctant to leave the stable, family environment.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff demonstrate that they value the views and opinions of young people. Young people confirm that they have regular resident's meetings. Here young people have the opportunity to discuss life at the home and plan activities. Staff also report on the positive and negative events effecting the dynamics of the home. It is good to see young people taking an active role, by recording some meetings. The homes quality assurance systems includes the experiences of young people. Young people are able also to voice their feelings in a range of other individual meetings.

p.7

Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people describe all of the home as 'good'. They are able to highlight a list of staff who they 'get on well with'. There is a professional warmth in the relationship between the staff and young people. Staff are comfortable with their role of setting clear boundaries. Young people greatly appreciate the work done by staff, on their behalf.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people receive support to equip them with the skills necessary for adulthood. Each young person has to complete household chores. The home also has their own independent living programme. Young people on this programme receive a weekly allowance where they have to purchase their own shopping. This teaches young people budgeting skills. Young people additionally take responsibility for their own laundry and other tasks. The programme provides an element of self assessment. Young people receive guidance on money management, health, education, careers, relationships, their legal rights and other relevant life skills. Young people have pathway plans. Staff assist young people to develop self responsibility. This contributes to the self sufficiency they need, when they leave.

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

All young people have take pride in their appearance. They take an interest in fashion, are smart, clean and well groomed. They reflect their individuality through their haircuts and clothing. Young people report that they receive sufficient allowances to purchase clothing and other personal items. Staff maintain records of personal allowances. They also audit the records every week. The only shortfall is that staff do not update records, as they go along. This can lead to errors. Young people sign petty cash vouchers, however, these are not available for inspection. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC391379 Young people reside in a pleasant, affluent housing estate. The detached house blends easily into the neighbourhood. It is a close to shops, medical facilities and large school. The accommodation is domestic in style, homely and decorated, maintained and furnished to a high standard. The home has modern, stylish furniture and soft furnishings. Young people appreciate

p.7

Achieving economic wellbeing

the quality of the accommodation, particularly their own room. Young people personalise their rooms and are able to redecorate them. An added bonus for young people is the fact they can get satellite television in their room. There is a good repair system, the home have access to their own handyperson.

p.8

Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people can relax in the lounge on leathers sofas. Here they can watch television or DVD's. The large fitted kitchen has a dining area. There is a designated education room. There is an upstairs bathroom. Additional toilet facilities are downstairs. To the rear of the property is a large garden, which has a summer house. There are plans to develop the garage area into a gym or games room. This will enhance the range of communal areas available for young people.

p.8

Organisation

The organisation is good. The home has a statement of purpose which outlines their aims and objectives. This document provides a detailed summary of the service. It is available on request to involved professionals, young people and their relatives. The statement of purpose has a misprint. This relates to the age they care for. On arrival at the home, young people receive their own guide. This clearly explains the support available to them.

p.8

Organisation

Young people receive care from a well-supported staff team. Staff receive regular supervision and a comprehensive induction to their role. Peer support is available though team meetings. Staff additionally have access to the therapist, who visits every week. There is a competent, experienced, enthusiastic staff team. NVQ training is in progress, for those who do not hold this qualification. Staff also receive a range of specialist training, to enable them to effectively meet young people' needs. Young people benefit from a high staffing ratio. This enables them to have sufficient individual time with staff.

p.8

Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. All young men living at the home are from a White European background. They receive care from a gender balanced and culturally diverse staff team. Staff receive training in equality and diversity. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of disabilities, address sexuality and challenge racism. The home incorporates anti-discriminatory practice in their best care policy. Information is available for young people on organisations which assist with race, faith, gay, lesbian and transgender issues. Young people are able to experience different cultures through eating out and attending various events. An example being the Notting Hill Carnival.

p.8

Organisation

The home has a quality monitoring system, that centres around the experience of young people. An independent person undertakes monthly monitoring visits. Reports of these visits include action points. In addition to having discussions with staff and young people. The Registered Manager monitors records, in accordance with regulations. Quality assurance also includes collating feedback from visitors and social workers.

p.8

Organisation

The Registered Manager has ten years management experience. This includes working in residential homes within London and surrounding counties. There is an effective system for 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC391379 running the home. The organisation is child focused and demonstrates a commitment to providing quality care. The home is financially sound. There are no vacancies and young people are currently on the waiting list.

p.8

Organisation

The home maintains a series of files for each young person. These document their specific needs relating to their health, legal aspects, diversion and a main central file. Files provide an up-to-date analysis of the home's intervention and young people's progress. Young people receive good outcomes and there are only minor shortfalls within the organisation. Supervision records do not consistently have the duration noted. Both parties do not always sign the records. The disciplinary procedure has also not been updated to include referral to the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

p.9

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.

p.9

Due date Action Standard

1 January 2010 keep a daily record of the menus served (Regulation 29(1)) 10 1 January 2010 record consistently in the sanction book, the effectiveness and any consequences of sanctions (Regulation 17(4)) 1 January 2010 keep documentary evidence of a staff member's relevant qualifications. (Regulation 26 (6))

p.9

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • date interview notes and record in greater detail the discussion regarding gaps in employment (NMS 27) • encourage young people to sign their care plan (NMS 2) • update young people's financial records immediately and keep a record of them signing for their monies (NMS 11) • update the statement of purpose, to include the correct age of young people accommodated (NMS 1) • record the duration of supervision and ensure records are signed by both parties (NMS 28) • update the disciplinary procedure to include referral to the Independent Safeguarding Authority. (NMS 29) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC391379

p.9