Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC357981 Inspection date 07/01/2011 Inspector John Chivers Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 07/09/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 Crispins, 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.

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About this inspection

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 outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

The home is located on the sea front of a coastal town. Shops and other amenities are close by and good access to public transport allows opportunities to access other coastal towns. The home provides accommodation for up to four children and young people on the two upper floors of the building, whilst the communal, education and leisure facilities are on the ground and basement floors. The home caters for children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and who have a wide range of needs.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

The inspection was an interim inspection and unannounced. All of the standards in the section 'staying safe' of the national minimum standards for children's home's were assessed. There were no actions or recommendations to follow up from the last inspection and no actions or recommendations are made as a result of this inspection. The home continues to be managed to a good standard and affords an equally good standard of care to the resident children and young people. Four young people were resident at the home at the time of the inspection, one of who contributed to the inspection process via discussion.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations to follow up from the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are aware of the importance of confidentiality and receive training in this area at induction. Confidential records are securely held in locked cabinets within a locked office. A telephone is available for children and young people's use without reference to staff and they have secure facilities within their bedrooms in which to keep treasured and valued possessions. Toilet and bathing facilities afford good privacy and there is adequate space where children and young people can receive appropriate visitors in private. Children and young people confirm that staff treat them with dignity and respect their privacy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people know how to make a complaint, who to complain to and that any complaint would be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. However children and young people are clear they have no complaints about the standard of care they receive. Staff are trained in complaints at their induction and the home's complaints procedure is reinforced periodically at staff team meetings. The home's complaints book shows that no complaints have been received.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people live in a safe and closely monitored environment. The home takes active steps to keep children, young people, staff and visitors safe from the inherent risks of fire and other potential safety hazards. Standards of cleanliness and hygiene are high throughout the home and no safety hazards are evident in the areas of the premises accessed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are clear that bullying is not an issue in the home and that staff are quick to challenge and address such issues should they arise. There is a range of anti-bullying literature displayed around the home with children and young people's help and advice lines being available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are protected from harm and abuse by staff that are appropriately trained in child protection and are alert to safeguarding issues. Children and young people learn about aspects of their personal safety via their individual schools' curriculum and these areas are reinforced by staff in direct work and discussion with them. Children and young people said they feel safe in the home and that staff have full regard for their protection and well-being. Children and young people are closely supervised and there are no current or ongoing child protection issues in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people said that bullying is not an issue in the home and that staff are alert to such conduct should it arise and would quickly and appropriately address any issues in this area. There is a missing person's policy and procedure. However unauthorised absences are not a current problem in the home, although some young people return late from evenings out and this is recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people's behaviour is well managed by staff that are appropriately trained in behaviour management. Staff have good working relationships with children and young people who respond to staff instructions and requests in a positive way. Staff interact and engage children and young people in a positive way. Children and young people confirm that discipline in the home is fair. All children and young people have clear and detailed behaviour risk assessments and behaviour management plans that are monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Sanctions and restraint are clearly recorded, are appropriate and necessary in the circumstances described in the records. Currently all of the children and young people are within the home's remit in terms of behaviour management and control. The home's staff recruitment procedures are robust and staff personnel files hold all required information including three written references with verification and checks

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

via the Criminal Records Bureau at enhanced level. The home's recruitment procedures help to ensure that only suitable staff are employed to look after the children and young people.

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