Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Buckinghamshire

SC067757 Unique reference number 27 May 2010 Inspection date Rosemary Dancer 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 up 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 their behaviour, including offending behaviour. Where appropriate, young people are supported in returning home or staying 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 can be 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 carried out to assess the quality of care being provided. Judgements have been made under being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution, economic well-being and organisation. The progress in meeting the two actions and three recommendations made following the last inspection was also assessed.

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Summary

Young people's health needs are met well overall. They are provided with a healthy diet and supported to attend all health appointments. There are shortfalls in the arrangements for recording the administration of medication and in the stock control arrangements for non-prescribed medication although these do not have a significant impact on the safety of young people.

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Summary

Young people's safety is seen as paramount. There are overall good arrangements for ensuring that young people are kept safe. There are some minor shortfalls in the recording arrangements for restraints and sanctions; neither of these have a direct impact on the safety of young people.

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Summary

A real strength of this home are the arrangements for supporting young people. Support is individual and geared to meet the assessed needs. The excellent relationships between staff and the young people mean that young people engage well in plans and the input from the therapeutic team supports both young people and staff. Outcomes for the current young people in terms of their attainments are very good.

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Summary

The environment provided is of a good quality and provides a calm and relaxing home for the young people.

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Summary

Young people are supported by people who are well qualified, skilled, competent in their roles and committed to providing a good quality of care. There are some minor shortfalls in the 4 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757 recording on young people's files in that records are not always signed and dated and the reports made under Regulation 33 are not always forwarded to Ofsted. 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 manager was asked to look at the following matters.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was required to ensure that before staff start work at the home, all the information about them as set out in Regulation 26 is available; this has been addressed and all information is now available. The manager was asked to review the home's procedures for responding to a young person being absent without authority; this has been achieved and the procedures now provide good guidance for staff.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to ensure menus show that a varied and balanced diet is provided at all meals; this had been addressed but more recently the detail of what is served is not being recorded. The manager was asked to ensure that there is evidence demonstrating how older young people are being prepared for leaving care and that this information is regularly reviewed; this has now been addressed and staff work closely with social workers to develop meaningful leaving care plans. The manager was asked to review and where appropriate revise the behavioural management policy; this has now been achieved.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Meals provided ensure that young people have a varied and nutritious diet. At the last inspection the manager was asked to ensure menus show that a varied and balanced diet is provided at all meals. While this occurred for a period, more recently the detail of food served is not being recorded. Young people have input into menu planning, shopping for food and food preparation and this means they learn about healthy eating, food hygiene and begin to learn about budgeting for food. Where there are specific needs in relation to diet these are catered for. Staff and young people share meals together and these are used as times to socialise with each other. There are healthy snacks available to which young people can help themselves. To equip young people with essential knowledge about food hygiene they are to be offered formal training in this area.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people have their routine and more complex health needs met to a good standard. Their health needs are assessed and a detailed health plan is developed. The plan clearly sets out how health needs will be met. Young people are registered with a doctor, make routine visits to the dentist and opticians and are supported by staff to attended all health appointments. In house therapeutic support can be provided in a way which suits each young person, by people who are well known to them. This support is available on an ongoing basis and thus removes the need to be on a waiting list. Where a young person has a specific health need, such as epilepsy, the organisation ensures that staff receive training to make sure they are competent in meeting the need. Young people are also supported to access community services in relation to their emotional well-being, and for support and advice about the dangers of things like

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Helping children to be healthy

abusing drugs and alcohol. 5 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757 The arrangements for the storage of medication are sound. There was a recent shortfall in the recording processes of the administration of medication which meant that the stock levels seemed to be wrong. However, the welfare of the young person was not compromised as the medicine had been given and it was the recording that was incorrect. The stock rotation for non-prescription medicines is not effective. For example, a bottle of open cough medicine stored had not been dated on the day of opening and it transpired that it was overdue for disposal.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young people's privacy is respected by staff. Young people have their own keys to their rooms and, unless there is a concern about a young person's safety, staff knock on their bedroom doors before entering. Information and files about young people are stored in a locked office and young people can take and make telephone calls in private. The manager takes complaints seriously and addresses them promptly. Young people are aware of how to complain and say that their complaints are addressed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people spoken to feel safe living in this home. They are confident about approaching any member of staff if they are worried about anything. Staff are confident in dealing with safeguarding issues and the training they receive in this area underpins their practice. There is a no tolerance approach to bullying and young people report that bullying does not happen very often and when it does staff challenge the bully immediately and 'sort it out'. When it is identified that additional staff are needed to ensure that one young person's needs do not impact on the rest of the group, this is arranged. There is a safeguarding policy and a procedure for staff to follow should they need to refer to this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Should a young person be missing from the home there are procedures, which are followed by staff, to ensure their safe return home as soon as is possible. There are links to the local police force and a signed written protocol between the police and the home, in respect of young people who go missing, which is held at the organisation's head office.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are supported in developing appropriate coping strategies. The behaviour management strategy used provides a sound structure for all work with the young people and is subject to external assessment and review. Each young person's progress can be measured and their progress adjusted to meet their needs at any one time. There is an emphasis on diversion tactics and this involves developing a good quality structured programme of work, pastimes and activities which occupy young people's time. This ensures that they are provided with valuable learning experiences and have the chance to have fun. There is a points system which rewards positive behaviour with money and less positive behaviour is sanctioned appropriately. There is a therapeutic manager who oversees all of this work and provides a monthly overview of each young person's progress. Sanctions given are appropriate and young people feel they are fair. Physical interventions are only used as a last resort to prevent injury

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

or serious damage to property. The recording arrangements for both physical interventions and sanctions are limited in content; however, the manager has devised a recording system which provides more comprehensive details which is shortly to be implemented.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are robust arrangements for ensuring the health and safety of young people, staff and visitors to the home. All required health and safety checks are carried out and maintenance of the appliances and fire systems is of a good quality. Staff recruitment processes are robust and 6 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757 this ensures only suitable people work with the young people. Visitors to the home are required to show identification and have a valid reason for their visit.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Support to young people is a real strength of this home. There is a well-established keywork system and young people utilise their keyworker and other staff when they need support. Young people report that they can approach any member of staff or the manager if they want help with anything. The therapeutic input is available to young people on a daily basis and can be delivered on formal or on a less formal basis; this means that it is easy for people to access in a way they feel able to. Staff can also use this service for consultation about how to assist young people to address any difficulties and staff find this service very supportive. One young person has access to an independent visitor.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are supported to develop good relationships between each other and currently there is a high level of respect shown between the young people and between the young people and staff. This makes for a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people are supported very well to access education, both formal full-time education and less formal education, depending on their needs. For example, if a young person struggles to attend a formal setting, as the home is also registered as a school, educational specialists employed internally devise a programme of education which the young person can access; this ensures that individual needs can be met. For young people in school staff promote their attendance and their keyworker attends school meetings and events in line with good parenting. Current young people are achieving the aims and objectives set for them to a high standard.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

An excellent programme of activities is provided to young people and these are based on individual likes and preferences and aimed at helping young people achieve and develop new skills and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Each young person's care is guided by a formal and comprehensive care plan. On admission a placement plan is developed and from this detailed care and health plans are devised. The plans are regularly reviewed internally and staff support young people in attending their statutory reviews held by the local authority. The statutory review is informed by detailed reports written by the young person's keyworker, these outline unmet needs and the progress made.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to maintain contact with people significant to them as long as it is safe to do so. Staff have a good awareness about the emotional upset young people may experience following contact with a loved one and make themselves available to offer support if needed. Young people's friends are welcome to visit the home and encouragement is given to make and maintain appropriate friendships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The admission process is comprehensive and geared to ensuring that the young person's needs can be met. Assessments are also made to ensure that the young person will fit in with the current young people. 7 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757 Young people's views are seen as very important when making any decisions about their plans or about the running of the home. Their views are sought in a range of ways including, during keywork sessions, house meetings and during informal discussions between young people and staff which take place on a daily basis. The views of parents and social workers are also seen as important and are used to improve the services provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff show that they like the young people they are caring for and that they respect their views and wishes. Young people trust staff and feel well supported by them. Conversations held are respectful and friendly and during the inspection there was laughter heard.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is good. Young people are supported in preparing to move into more independent living. For young people with no pathway plan in place staff work with them to teach them the vital skills they will need. For example, cooking, budgeting and maintaining a clean and healthy environment. For young people with a pathway plan staff work closely with the young people and social worker in developing these plans and support the young person to achieve the aims and objectives set.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The quality of the accommodation is good. The house is set in peaceful surroundings and is well furnished, decorated and maintained. There is enough space, for the young people who live there, to spend time alone if they wish or to meet visitors in private. There is office accommodation for staff to use which is in addition to the space for the young people; there is also the facility to provide home education for those young people who need this.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. There have been further changes in the management of the home. A new manager commenced work three months ago and is going through the registration process. While there has been another new arrangement in a short space of time this has been managed well and there has been no adverse impact on the quality of care the young people receive; outcomes remain at least good in all outcome areas.

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Organisation

The functioning of the home is underpinned by a range of polices and procedures and the aims and objectives are clearly set out in the Statement of Purpose; this can be made available to all interested parties. The young people are informed about what to expect in the home via a written guide but also by staff who will talk them through any issues they are not clear about.

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Organisation

The calibre of staff caring for the young people is high and young people say that 'they help and support us' and 'they're great.' The staff team is very well trained and includes professionals from other disciplines such as psychology. Staff feel very well supported by the new manager and cite team meetings, supervision , appraisals and good training opportunities as being especially supportive. Staff have a very good understanding about young people's needs. Staff are supported in their understanding by the input from the therapeutic team members who are available for staff to consult with. Needs relating to equality and diversity are fully understood and meeting these needs are seen as key to the success of the individual support provided. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. 8 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757 There are systems in place to monitor the work in the home and written reports are made and

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Organisation

action plans developed. However, not all recent reports made under Regulation 33 are provided to Ofsted.

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Organisation

Files for young people are generally well ordered and provide a good account of their time living in the home. However, greater attention needs to be paid to ensuring that case recording is signed and dated to make sure that the writer and the date of the recording is clear.

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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

11 June 2010 ensure that accurate records are maintained in respect to the administration of any medicine to any child (Regulation 21 c) 30 June 2010 ensure that copies of the monitoring reports made under Regulation 33 of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 are supplied to Ofsted. (Regulation 33)

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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 the records of menus detail the food actually served at each meal (NMS10.4) • ensure that non-prescription medicines are subject to a robust stock control system (NMS 13.10) • implement the updated systems for recording the use of restraint or any sanctions (NMS 22.9) • ensure that all case records are signed by the writer and dated. (NMS 35.1) 9 of 9 Inspection Report: SC067757

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