Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC438648 Inspection date 17/07/2012 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/12/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The private company who own this children's home also has a fostering agency and two further children's homes. This is a home for two children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last key inspection in May 2012, this home was found to be inadequate across all outcome groups. Requirements were made along with recommendations at this previous inspection. Requirements made covered the complaints procedure; the review of placement plans; promotion of healthy eating and lifestyles and education; fire risks and precautions; staffing levels and the use of temporary staff; staff training and appraisals and the monitoring of the care provided. Recommendations were made about behaviour management; the young people’s guide and statutory reviews.

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Progress

The complaints procedure has been updated and now details the contact parties which include Ofsted and the Children's Rights Director. In addition, the young people's guide has been updated and includes the appropriate guidance and makes it clear that there are no reprisals for any person making a complaint.

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Progress

The young people's placement plans are now regularly updated and contain up-to- date information. Young person’s placement planning is now integrated into all aspects of their care and has improved considerably. A new menu has been created which is nutritious and provides choices of wholesome food. All staff have now been advised that once a menu has been agreed staff must keep to this. If a change is made subject to the young person’s reasonable choice or availability of the items, staff must clearly record this. A staff meeting has been held where it has been made clear to all staff the importance of providing healthy and balanced diets.

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Progress

Placement plans now detail the health assessment and services that are being provided for each young person and the timescales and details of treatments and interventions. Education is now well planned and staff liaise with the virtual head, the social worker and schools. Education in the home is well documented with planned and individually assessed programmes.

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Progress

Placement plans now detail essential information about the young person’s identity, their choices, wishes and their diverse needs such as religious persuasion, racial origin, and cultural and linguistic background and any disability.

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Progress

Areas causing a hazard are being attended to by the responsible utilities company. All other areas of the home are maintained to reduce hazards with risk assessments in place to reduce known hazards. The fire and rescue authority have visited the home and confirmed that all actions have been taken to take adequate precautions against the risk of fire and provide suitable fire equipment.

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Progress

The home has recruited new staff since the last visit and other staff have been seconded from sister homes. These secondments have taken place to ensure that the staff that are provided are experienced and knowledgeable of the company procedures and practice. The manager confirmed that the home is now up to planned staffing levels to meet the needs of the young people. The home does not now use temporary staff on a regular basis. When the current secondments come to an end, they will be planned exits that will be designed to be phased and therefore minimise disruption to the young people.

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Progress

Regulation 34 monitoring and quality assurance has now been comprehensively reviewed and an effective system has been developed to monitor and improve the quality in the home.

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Progress

Training and supervision programmes are now in place to support the professional development of all staff members. Mandatory training and induction training has begun for new staff members and a skills audit has taken place with existing staff members to ensure training is delivered most effectively.

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Progress

The behaviour management strategies have been reviewed and there is now a clear structure of behaviour control. This is backed up with reward and incentive charts. Key working sessions are incorporated into behaviour management strategies. In addition, communication books are now in place to ensure consistent approaches to practice. Team meetings are being used to regularly update and inform staff members of agreed strategies.

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Progress

The young person’s guide has been revised and now contains all information in accordance with the National Minimum Standards. In addition, a system is now in place to ensure outstanding reviews are obtained in a timely manner.

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Progress

The manager has taken effective action to address the requirements and recommendations and made good overall progress.

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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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