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

Unique reference number SC391379 Inspection date 03/03/2011 Inspector Sharon Lewis Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 07/07/2010 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

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. At the time of the inspection, no young people were living at the home.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is satisfactory.

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Summary

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

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Summary

At this interim unannounced inspection the key standards in staying safe were assessed. This inspection also examined the home's compliance with actions from the previous inspection. The home is currently not providing a service to any young people. Our inspection methodology relies on evidence found at the time of inspection and this essentially includes users’ views about the service. As this evidence is not available when there are no young people present we have completed a proportionate inspection; the purpose of which is to decide that should an admission be made the service would be able to work to a satisfactory standard.

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Summary

Care practices are satisfactory. The home has historical evidence of working well with young people. The only shortfalls relate to the restraint record and the new management arrangements. The organisation is also required to submit a new registration application for the recently appointed manager.

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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 met all requirements. Staff now maintain a consistent record of all visitors to the home. The home has introduced a new computerised record of young people's finances. This provides an accurate report for young people. The organisation also ensures a written report is produced after each Regulation 33 visit. This report contributes to the home's quality assurance system.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has an adequate system for promoting the safety of young people. The organisation's ethos focuses on therapeutic care. The philosophy involves social reform, inclusion and the principles of social pedagogy. The is includes respecting the privacy and dignity of young people. In addition to maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A clear complaints procedure is available. Young people tend to raise any concerns informally at their residents meetings. An ongoing problem is the home's relationship with immediate neighbours. This relates to the anti-social behaviour young people may occasionally display. Management demonstrate a commitment to positively resolving any issues. They are currently engaging in mediation meetings with a local organisation, the police and neighbours. The home also receive several compliments. Young people on leaving the home are greatly appreciative of their care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has a comprehensive procedure for responding to safeguarding concerns. The procedure complements the guidance from the local authority and involves working in partnership with other agencies. The staff training programme includes refresher training on safeguarding and related issues. This ensures staff are well informed of current practice. The organisation additionally benefits from a consultant child protection coordinator. The home has procedures to address bullying and when young people are absent without authority. Staff effectively manage concerns related to protecting and promoting the welfare of young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's main goal is helping young people overcome negative behaviour patterns and self defeating thoughts. The therapeutic way of working involves psychology, social work and criminology. Staff use a range of methods, which assist young people with developing socially acceptable behaviour. This includes diversion activities, a reward scheme, cognitive life skills, counselling and group work. There is great emphasis on positively reinforcing preferred behaviour. Occasionally staff need to use disciplinary measures. Staff record incidents, sanctions and restraints. Staff do not consistently maintain restraint records, in accordance with regulations. Staff do not always record the time, location and duration of each restraint.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home provides a physical safe and secure environment. Engineers routinely service the fire, electrical equipment and the gas supply. Staff undertake general health and safety and fire equipment checks. Risk management covers the building and the welfare of individual young people. The only shortfall relates to several of the generic risk assessments, which have not been reviewed. There is a relatively stable staff team. The only recent appointment, being a new manager. Visitors to the home sign a designated book. Staff now appropriately maintain a record of all visitors.

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Organisation

The organisation offers therapeutic care to young people with complex needs. The experienced staff team consistently implement a structured care programme. Care concentrates on using a range of methods to assist young people to make positive changes in their lives. The home has a quality monitoring system. This now includes regulatory visits every month. These visits provide an evaluative overview of the home.

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Organisation

The majority of staff have the necessary national vocational qualification training. Staff additionally undertake further courses to provide more effective intervention. An example being counselling courses. Since the last inspection a new manager has been appointed. This person has the necessary skills and experience for this role. The internal promotion to the deputy manager position also provides good continuity of care. The only issue is that Ofsted have not received written notification of the change in the home's management arrangement. A Registered Manager's application form, has also not been submitted.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Std. Action Due date

22 record the time, location and duration of each restraint (Regulation 17 (4) (d)) 01/04/2011

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Std. Action Due date

34 notify Ofsted if a person other than the registered person manages the children's home (Regulation 38 (a)) 01/04/2011

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Std. Action Due date

34 submit a registration application for the new manager. (Care Standards Act 2000 Section 11 (1)) 01/05/2011

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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):

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Recommendations

 review the generic risk assessments. (NMS 26.2)

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