Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Bedford

Unique reference number SC412953 Inspection date 25/03/2011 Inspector Robert Curr Type of inspection Key

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Date of last inspection 03/08/2010 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 home is part of an organisation that has other children's homes. It accommodates up to four young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties between the age of 12 and 18 years of age. This is a detached house set in landscaped gardens. There is a kitchen/breakfast room, drawing room, utility, dining room, lounge, four single bedrooms of which two are en-suite, a family bathroom, a classroom and staff sleeping in rooms as well as a games room. The home is set in a village close to a town. There are good public transport links to the nearest city. There are local shops within easy walking distance.

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Summary

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

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Summary

This was an inspection that was arranged at short notice. All of the key standards were checked. The home has a registered school within the grounds.

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Summary

This is a good service. Young people's education is highly encouraged and promoted. Leisure needs are met and a multi-disciplinary approach ensures young people's views are taken into account when planning their future.

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Summary

A policy on equality and diversity is in place and the staff clearly demonstrate an appreciation that individual young people may have a range of possible needs arising from diversity.

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Summary

The individualised support that young people receive is a notable area of strength. Young people's welfare is enhanced by the positive relationships fostered by the staff team. The service is closely monitored, thus enabling the registered provider to oversee the operation of the home.

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Summary

The aim to have the appropriate number of staff hold a National Vocational Qualification is still to be maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This is the first inspection since the service was registered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young people benefit from healthy and nutritious meals. They are well supported to become involved in choosing and preparing their own food. Information about food values and healthy eating are shared and considerations of healthy diets are encouraged.

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Helping children to be healthy

Fresh fruit and vegetables are offered as part of well-planned menus. Young people enjoy a variety of dishes that reflect the preferences and culture of the group. Young people said that they sometimes choose to have a 'take away' and have the opportunity to increase their understanding of different cultures.

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Helping children to be healthy

The health needs of each individual young person are carefully identified and regular links with healthcare professional services that meet individual needs are sought. Records are maintained and show that dentists and opticians have been used as required. Staff demonstrate a genuine concern for the young people who receive positive support within the home. There are sufficient staff trained in first aid to ensure consistent support at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The administration of medication is monitored and safely stored to ensure young people’s health is protected. Clear policies and procedures are in place for this purpose.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective systems are in place to ensure the safety, protection and well-being of young people living at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people feel their privacy is well maintained at the home. Staff demonstrate respect for young people by not entering their bedrooms without permission. All confidential information is kept in lockable cabinets. Young people have access to a telephone to make and receive calls. Sufficient space is available to enable young people to meet with visitors and have key work sessions in private.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All complaints are taken seriously by the home and fully investigated. Young people state that they are fully aware of the complaints policy and feel their concerns are addressed promptly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Robust systems are in place to report child protection concerns. The home has good links with the placing authority and police. Staff have received relevant training. Sensitivity is demonstrated by staff in their understanding of the complex needs of young people who have experienced different aspects of abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Individual risk reduction plans are in place for managing young people who go missing without consent. Close links are maintained with the local police and placing authority regarding the level of risk or vulnerability of the young people who abscond. Staff use diversion techniques to deter young people from leaving the home. Constructive support is available for young people when they return to the home via their key worker. This includes counselling about keeping safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Anti-bullying is promoted in the home in line with the home's policies and procedures. Young people agree that they do not always get on with each other but confirm there is no bullying at the home. Staff endeavour to create a harmonious atmosphere and openly challenge any form of bullying including verbal abuse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour management involves a 'diversion' programme that focuses on a series of behaviour monitoring strategies. Young people are aware of the consequences of their unacceptable behaviour that can result in the temporary withdrawal of a privilege. It is clear that when measures of control are put in place, staff consider the age and understanding of the young person concerned. Restraints are used to manage behaviour considered to be a risk to young people or others. Staff receive training in the use of such interventions.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective systems are in place to ensure all statutory health and safety checks are carried out within the required timescales.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Clear and accurate fire safety records are held. Monthly fire drills take place and checks on fire fighting equipment are up to date. Some staff have not undertaken a fire drill practice at the required frequency. This could compromise the health and safety of the young people residing at the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All relevant vetting checks for staff are completed and satisfied prior to them commencing employment at the home. The Registered Manager ensures that the recruitment procedures for permanent and bank staff are robust.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Care plans reflect the individual needs of young people and are based on full initial assessments with regular reviews of progress. Two young people said that their key workers set up regular meetings for them to 'discuss things'. It was clearly evident that key workers have developed positive relationships with the young people.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The range of activities is good. Young people enjoy outings to the cinema, bowling, fishing and other outside activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Educational achievement is highly valued and young people are well supported with accessing a variety of approaches to educational. Staff make good use of the internal education provision.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Educational attendance is strongly encouraged, even with people who have a history of poor school attendance and exclusion. All staff strive to overcome this issue and have developed ongoing contact with the educational team. All young people have access to computers to undertake schoolwork or pursue leisure interests. The consistent approach to education offered to the young people has resulted in them engaging in their individual education programme. This is certainly improving young people's prospects in later life.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people benefit from placement plans which set out how the home will meet their assessed needs. Reviews and reports are up to date which enable staff to measure any progress that has been made.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are able to maintain valued relationships with family and friends through appropriate contact arrangements. These arrangements are agreed with the young person and any restrictions recorded. Young people have full access to a telephone.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All the young people are positive about their involvement in the day-to-day running of the home. One young person stated 'we are always allowed to make our views known'. They also said that staff will support young people if they do not have the confidence to speak out. This system is highly effective in ensuring young peoples decisions are valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Staff have attended a variety of training courses. During discussions with staff it is clear that they are able to fully understand the perspective of the young people with whom they work. Staff respond appropriately and constructively to challenge the young people's use of inappropriate or offensive language. Interactions between staff and young people are genuinely positive and relationships formed are valued.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The opportunities provided for the young people to buy their own clothing and toiletries gives them experience in expressing their individual preference and develop skills, such as budgeting that will be essential throughout their lives.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The home is decorated and furnished to a very good standard which creates a pleasant domestic environment appropriate to the age and culture of the young people living there. The interior and exterior of the home are maintained in to good state of structural and decorative repair. The manager has a daily evaluation form that helps to maintain the repair programme and ensure any damage is repaired promptly.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Each young person has a single room of a suitable size. Some rooms are en-suite and each room has a single bed, seating, storage and lockable safe storage for personal possessions.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The young people confirm that they are able and encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and were fully consulted in choosing the décor.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The manager works hard to maintain appropriate links within the community. This enables the young people to have positive relationships with immediate neighbours.

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Organisation

This is a well managed service which provides a safe setting for young people with complex needs, and a positive and supportive learning environment for staff. The staff team are competent, motivated and professional. The promotion of equality and diversity is good.

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Organisation

The Statement of Purpose clearly sets out what the home will provide and the way in which this will be achieved. This is presented in a way that is easily understood by young people and their families. A guide to the service is given to all young people on their first visit. This guide has recently been reviewed.

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Organisation

Staff state that they receive regular supervision sessions which provides them with support and professional guidance. Staff also receive training on a wide range of subjects. However, training records are hard to retrieve. It is not clear who has had training in the various subjects. The manager said that a training matrix would aid in monitoring the training needs of the staff group.

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Organisation

Staffing levels on the day of the inspection were appropriate.

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Organisation

Young peoples welfare is safeguarded by a committed and dedicated staff team. The staff are in varying stages of achieving a qualification at National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People. Currently the overall qualification recommendation is not met, but appears to be on target.

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Organisation

There are a number of quality assurance processes, including monthly monitoring visits by a manager from within the organisation. The Registered Manager also produces a comprehensive monthly report that includes issues raised by parents and guardians. Feedback is regularly sought from a range of stakeholders including internal staff. This aids the providers in having a clear picture of the quality of service they are providing to young people. There is evidence that all action points are followed up and that these lead to improvements in practice.

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Organisation

Young people's individual case files are confidentially stored and are arranged in a manner which make them readily accessible to staff. This upholds the privacy of young people if they wish to read their record. Young people are aware that they can access their files and have done so. The files examined are well maintained.

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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

 ensure the identified staff undertake a fire drill practice at the recommended frequency (NMS 26.8)  ensure that a written record of all training for all staff is maintained in the home (NMS 31.4)  ensure a minimum ratio of 80% of all care staff complete a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or an equivalent. (NMS 29.5)

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