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

Unique reference number SC391379 Inspection date 07/03/2012 Inspector Pippa Greed Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 06/12/2011 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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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 private children's home registered to take up to four young people with emotional or behaviour difficulties. The home is owned by a private organisation.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the full inspection in December 2011, the overall effectiveness rating for the service was good with one requirement and six recommendations. The home has proactively addressed the requirement and majority of recommendations from the previous inspection.

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Progress

The home demonstrates continued improvement in the quality of care provided with a clear and focused commitment to service development and achieving positive outcomes for young people. This has included evaluating, embedding and enhancing the current level of service; addressing requirement and recommendations, addressing actions identified from Regulation 33 visits, seeking views of young people and significant others, as well as ongoing staff development.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff team have been extremely diligent in monitoring young people's care needs. This has ensured that young people are receiving care in a consistent and stable manner. The manager and staff team continue to seek the views of the young people and significant people in their lives. Staff were seen to be nurturing and supportive towards young people in their care.

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Progress

Young people's views are an integral part of the care planning process. This was evident in the development plan. Young confirmed that they felt supported by the staff team. The manager has written a development plan for the home with goals outlined. For example: developing the vegetable garden; converting the outdoor summer house into a gym, arranging a flower bed and garden pond. The plan described young people's ideas and aspirations for the home such as visiting local garden centre in order to price up materials and develop the summer house.

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Progress

The manager has an effective health and safety risk assessment system. These are comprehensive, good quality and detailed. The records cover areas of identified risk for young people within the home. Staff have also improved recording and communication systems for young people who go absent without authority. This actively safeguards young people and staff. Young people have the advantage of an observant staff team.

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Progress

Staff continue to benefit from regular supervision, team meetings, and group opportunities to discuss the needs of the young people. The home endeavours to develop staff training through induction, supervision and certificated training. Staff report that they feel well supported and encouraged to develop their confidence in ways of working. However, staff certificated training is not collated centrally at the home.

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Progress

The manager and staff team have young people's well-being at heart and support them to achieve positive outcome. Staff are genuinely enthusiastic about the care of young people and there is a commitment to providing a good quality service.

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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

(2001) maintain in the children’s home the records specified in Schedule 4 and ensure that they are kept up to date. In particular, a record of all staff qualifications relevant to working with children. (Regulation 29 (1) Schedule 4 (2)(e)) 20/04/2012

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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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