Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC357981 Inspection date 14/02/2012 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 06/06/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately owned children’s home. The home caters for up to four children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and who have a wide range of needs.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress.

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Progress

The overall effectiveness of this service was judged good at the last full inspection in June 2011. One requirement was made as a result of this visit. This inspection has found that satisfactory progress has been made and that the home has appropriately addressed the requirement made at the last inspection.

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Progress

Management is strong and effective and staff are appropriately supervised in their day-to-day roles. Since the last inspection greater care has been taken to ensure that incidents of physical intervention are dated in accordance with the regulations.

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Progress

Whilst action has been taken to address the previous requirement, records are not currently being maintained in accordance with the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 (as amended 2011). Currently, documents do not record what measures were taken to avoid physical intervention. Documents do not record confirmation that the person authorised by the registered provider to make the record has spoken to the child concerned and the person using the measure, about the use of the measure. In addition documents do not evidence the signature of the person authorised by the registered provider to make the record.

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Progress

Young people spoken with during the inspection stated that staff were caring and supportive and make a real difference to their lives. Opinion was expressed that the best feature of the home was the staff and the support and guidance that was provided.

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Progress

Practice has been maintained in care planning. Young people understand their care plans and the placement planning process. Young people are spoken with and consulted in all elements of their care. They understand their rights and have appropriate expectations of the care that they should receive. All plans are highly individualised. Prompt action is taken by the staff to implement actions from reviews and changes to the care and placement plans.

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Progress

Practice has been maintained in healthcare planning. Health files detail all the salient factors regarding historic and future health treatments. Plans detail very individual health arrangements and the young people are consulted regarding all interventions and check ups.

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Progress

Practice has been maintained in engaging with the young people and consulting with them effectively. Young people's views, comments and opinions are valued and are present in documentation and records appropriately. All young people have more formal opportunities to express their collective views during house meetings. Where possible, staff will act to address any matters that are raised and seek to meet reasonable requests.

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Progress

In addition young people have opportunities to raise more personal and individual matters on a one-to-one basis with their allocated key worker. In this way young people express opinions and have an input into their care and the running of the home. Young people are supported by staff that understand their needs, care about them and consult with them.

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Progress

Practice has been maintained in behaviour management. Behaviour management is successful and there are few negative incidents that arise. Staff provide appropriate care and control and sanctions are typically imposed when negotiation and consultation has not been successful. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves proportionate to their age and understanding. Sanctions are fair and reasonable and seek to modify behaviour in a meaningful way. Young people are therefore supported to make good choices and helped to understand the outcomes of less positive behaviour.

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Progress

Practice has been maintained in safeguarding and protecting young people. To ensure young people stay safe, the home maintains safeguarding procedures and all staff receive training and guidance in this important area. Bullying is not tolerated and staff members provide supervision and risk assessment to ensure proactive measures are in place.

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Progress

Bullying records are not currently collated in a consistent manner and therefore this does not provide sufficient evidence to identify patterns and trends in behaviour which may aid anti-bullying practices.

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Progress

Young people rarely go missing from the home, but when this occurs the home deploys effective measures to search, report and recover any young person. It was however noted that when young people return, staff are not consistently recording any reasons for absence given by the young person or action that should be taken to prevent the child going missing in future. This could limit opportunities to engage with young people and reduce young people going missing or absent.

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Progress

The home provides a pleasant and well furnished environment and repairs and maintenance are typically prompt. Furnishings and decoration are of good quality and it is clear that the staff work hard to maintain this home. Young people's bedrooms are individually decorated and personal items have been purchased to make the rooms their own.

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Progress

Some fire doors either do not meet or operate within their design parameters or have not been maintained accordingly. Fire planning is undertaken, but current plans do not detail fire equipment location within the home, which may compromise equipment checks and maintenance assessment. It was noted that some confusion existed in identifying fire doors and standard doors. Young people’s safety could be compromised by ineffective safety precautions.

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Progress

There is a significant problem with the water supply in the home in that it makes significant noise. Although a plumber has previously attended, this problem remains. Young people can hear this noise at night and it is loud enough to wake staff and young people.

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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 person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure there are records of confirmation that the person authorised by the registered provider to make the record has spoken to the child concerned and the person using the measure about the use of the measure; ensure details are recorded of any methods used to avoid the need to use that measure (Regulation 17(B) (3)(h) and Regulation 17b) 4b) 31/03/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that subject to paragraph (1A) the registered person shall after consultation with the fire and rescue authority; (a) take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment. (Regulation 32 (a)) 16/03/2012

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure staff in the home are trained to recognise and deal with any indications or incidents of bullying, and records demonstrate effective measures for identifying bullying (NMS 3.12)  ensure that written records kept by the home when a child goes missing detail action taken by staff, the circumstances of the child’s return, any reasons given by the child for running away from the home, and any action taken in the light of those reasons. This information is shared with the responsible authority and where appropriate, their parents (NMS 5.10)  ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained; specifically that the noise from the water system is addressed (NMS 10.3)

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