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

SC391379 Unique reference number 7 July 2010 Inspection date Sharon Lewis Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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20 November 2009 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: SC391379

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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 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. Two young men currently live at the home. Both provided positive feedback regarding their care.

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Summary

At this unannounced full inspection, all key standards were inspected. The home continues to provide a good service with outstanding features. Young people receive excellent individual support. Young people thrive within the cohesive, stable, therapeutic environment. Commendable aspects are the educational support, promotion of a healthy lifestyle and emotional wellbeing.

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Summary

Shortfalls relate to minor issues regarding record keeping. These relate to the visitors book, monitoring visits and financial records. 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 home was required to address three actions. The home has effectively addressed all areas. Young people benefit from more robust record keeping which meets regulations. A record is kept of all menus served. Sanction records include the effectiveness and consequences. Personnel arrangements now include keeping documentary evidence of relevant staff qualifications.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Six recommendations were also suggested to further improve practice. These relate to record keeping and documentation. The organisation has taken on board the need to date interview notes and provide more detail on gaps in employment. The Statement of Purpose includes the correct age of young people being accommodated. Supervision notes now detail the duration and are signed by both parties. The disciplinary procedure has been updated to provide referral to the Independent Safeguarding Authority. Two recommendations remain outstanding: these relate to young people signing their care plans and financial records.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The home has excellent health arrangements. Young people enjoy eating a balanced, culturally diverse, wholesome diet. Young people benefit from the home ordering seasonal organic produce. The home's garden has a vegetable patch. This enables young people to grow and eat their own fresh food. Young people describe the food as 'good'. They take a central role in menu planning and food shopping. They receive a small budget to purchase their own snacks. Young people receive support to develop their culinary skills. Meals are a social occasion staff and young people eat together on a daily basis. Staff maintain good food hygiene practices. In accordance with regulation there is a record of all meals served. Practices ensure young people receive meals which they find personally appetising. 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC391379 Good physical and emotional health is of significant importance. Young people benefit from

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Helping children to be healthy

the home's holistic therapeutic approach. Staff maintain separate health files, which comprehensively detail all health issues. Young people register with a local doctor, dentist and optician. Young people receive guidance regarding smoking, alcohol and drug misuse. Young people benefit from individualised sessions with a specialist agency regarding their sexual health. Exercise is part of their daily routine. This includes walking, bike riding and going to the gym or leisure centre.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people receive the assurance that staff can meet their complex health needs. This includes psychiatric issues, self harming, asthma and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. The home has an excellent relationship with the local mental health service. They also have access to their own psychotherapist. Young people benefit from support which promotes their emotional well-being. The home securely stores medication. Staff accurately maintain the necessary records. Where possible young people are able to administer their own medication. This contributes to their development of self-responsibility.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home has a clear framework of policies, procedures and guidelines which promote the safety of young people. Young people feel staff treat them with respect. The home operates in a non-judgmental manner. There is a culture of valuing young people and building on their strengths. The organisation's key principles include respecting the privacy and dignity of young people. Staff also maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A comprehensive complaint procedure is available for young people, involved adults and members of the wider community. Where necessary young people use the formal complaints procedure to address any grievances. Staff manage complaints in a satisfactory manner. An ongoing issue is regarding the home's relationship with neighbours. There is a commitment to developing a positive relationship. This includes offering mediation, on-call numbers and meeting weekly with the neighbourhood police.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safeguarding young people is of great importance. The home has appropriate inter-agency procedures. Staff receive regular child protection training. This refreshes their knowledge and keeps them up-to-date with issues. The organisation additionally benefits from a consultant child protection coordinator. Young people feel safe and comfortable. There are no current issues with bullying or being absent without authority.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

One of the staff's strengths is their ability to productively manage young people's challenging needs. Psychology, social work and criminology form the basis of the therapeutic way of working. Young people respond well to diversion activities, an incentive scheme cognitive life skills, counselling and group work. There is consistent evaluation of the strategies used with therapists. Young people describe the rewards as 'good'. Staff appropriately maintain incident, sanction and restraint records. Staff now detail the consequences and effectiveness of disciplinary measures. This contributes to better monitoring. Young people describe sanctions as 'fair'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a home which has adequate physical safety and security arrangements. There are regular environmental checks which confirm the safety of the gas, electricity and fire safety arrangements. Staff undertake regular health and safety checks. Risk management covers the building and the welfare of individual young people. The organisation has good recruitment 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC391379 procedures. These now include keeping documentary evidence of a staff member's qualifications. It also includes dating interview notes and providing greater detail regarding employment gaps. There is a stable staff team and there have been no new appointments. Visitors to the home usually sign a designated book. There are occasions where staff record this information in the log book. Regulations stipulate the need to maintain a record of all visitors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive excellent, life enhancing support. The organisation embraces the social pedagogy model. Young people thrive within a therapeutic environment which is rooted in social reform. Young people continue to make remarkable progress. As young people's needs are very challenging, this is a great achievement. Young people respond well to activity plans. These highlight their strengths and nurture their talents and interests. Young people benefit from a range of focused individualised support. This includes weekly counselling with a psychotherapist and structured key work sessions. Young people additionally have opportunities for self-reflection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people benefit from the excellent educational arrangements. The organisation acknowledge the need to promote learning in all areas. This includes life skills, social inclusion and active citizenship through involvement in the local community. The home's fees include six hours of educational support a week. They also offer larger educational packages for an agreed fee. This is a successful programme. An example is the home's ability to tutor young people to enable them to take their formal exams. Young people benefit from their own education room, a collection of books, laptops and other resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people receive encouragement to pursue higher education. The home is currently establishing links with businesses to provide work experience for young people. Young people are able to develop new skills and engage in a range of diversion activities. These include fishing, gardening, go-karting, going to the cinema, internet café and youth club. The home has their own vehicle which enables visits to the seaside and other places of interest. Young people state, 'it's good, as you go out a lot.'

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young people benefit from a comprehensive care planning system. This includes the clear identification of needs and goals. The home develops a variety of care plans which compliment the placing authority plan. Staff encourage young people to sign their care plans. Staff undertake a series of weekly evaluations. This contributes to regular focused internal reviews. The home maintains good links with placing authorities through weekly reports and contribute positively to statutory reviews.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people state the home, 'are good at keeping in touch.' Young people appreciate the support they receive to stay in contact with their family and friends. There is a commitment to partnership working. Placing authorities advise on the nature of contact arrangements. Staff are able to assist with supervised contact sessions. Young people keep in contact with their families by telephone, day and overnight visits. They are also able to invite friends over to the home. 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC391379 The home has a clear admission criteria. Planned admissions are subject to a multi-disciplinary assessment. The aim being to ensure the suitability of each placement. The home is also able to take emergency admissions. The home aims to ensure a smooth admission and discharge process.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to share their views and contribute to the home's decision making. They participate in weekly meetings which enable them to discuss rules, expectations and minor grievances. Meetings also provide an avenue for positive reinforcement and to engage in topical debates. The organisation is currently formulating a young people's council.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is satisfactory. The home has their own semi-independence programme. This enables young people to learn budgeting and life skills within a supportive setting. Young people on this programme receive a weekly allowance to purchase their own shopping. The current young people are not on this programme. However, they are developing their independent living skills in other areas. This includes cleaning their rooms, undertaking their laundry, helping to prepare meals, gardening and repairing household items. Young people also have opportunities to budget when clothes shopping.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Staff maintain a record of young people's finances. Young people still do not sign these records. This practice does not teach young people accountability. On examination of financial records a discrepancy was found, relating to the petty cash system. The Registered Manager is aware of the need to improve practice in this area and provide a more robust system. This shortfall did not have a direct impact on the welfare of young people.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people live in a pleasant, private housing estate. The organisation strongly believes that young people should participate in community life within a non-instructional setting. The detached house blends into the neighbourhood and is not identifiable as a children's home. The home is within walking distance of shops and amenities.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people state, 'it's alright here' and 'like having a big room.' Young people have their own lockable bedrooms. Young people can choose whether to bathe or shower, as the bathroom has separate facilities. Downstairs young people can relax in the main lounge. Here they can watch television or DVD's. They also tend to congregate with staff in the kitchen, which has a dining area. An additional toilet is available downstairs. To the rear of the property is a large garden, which has a summer house, patio area and garden furniture. The property is maintained to an appropriate standard. There is on-going redecoration. The only shortfall was a recent damage in an unused bedroom. The home aims to promptly address this issue through their maintenance programme.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Young people and adults involved in their care benefit from up-to-date service information. Young people have their own handbook which explains the home's expectations and practices. The Statement of Purpose covers the Every Child Matters guidance and now includes the correct age range. Young people receive care from a well supported, cohesive, competent staff team. The disciplinary procedure now includes reference to the Independent Safeguarding Authority. 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC391379 Supervision records now detail the duration and the signature of both parties. The home has a high staffing ratio, which often at times includes one to one support. National Vocational Qualification training is in progress for all staff. Specialist training is also available which addresses the individual and collective needs of young people.

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Organisation

The promotion of equality and diversity is good. The young people's handbook and a range of documentation addresses equal opportunities. The home consistently implements anti-discriminatory practice in their way of working. Staff effectively challenge homophobia, racism and sexist attitudes. There is a good understanding of disabilities. Staff focus on helping young people develop their potential, irrespective of their presenting difficulties. Young people learn to respect themselves and others. Young people enjoy eating culturally diverse cuisine. Information is on display of organisations which provide support with race, faith, gay, lesbian and transgender issues.

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Organisation

Young people live in a stable efficiently run home. Business planning concentrates on continual improvement. Quality assurance measures monitor the service. The home collates compliments and obtains feedback from social workers and young people. The Registered Manager monitors records in accordance with regulation 34. There is a process for undertaking monthly regulation 33 visits. On two occasions, however, the reports where not available. This did not impact on the welfare of young people, as there is close liaison between the independent visitor and the home's proprietor. Staff record young people's progress in a series of files. Files provide a good analysis of young people's personal development.

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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

1 August 2010 maintain a consistent record of all visitors to the home (Regulation 29 (1)) 1 August 2010 maintain an accurate record of young people's finances (Regulation 29 (1)) 1 August 2010 prepare a writen report after each regulation 33 visit. (Regulation 33 (4)(c))

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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): • encourage young people to sign their financial records (NMS 11.8) • repair the damage in the unused bedroom. (NMS 24.3) 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC391379

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