Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Bedford

Unique reference number SC412953 Inspection date 23/01/2013 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 27/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home is privately owned and accommodates up to four young people who have 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 inadequate progress .

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Progress

This home was judged to be outstanding at the last full inspection in June 2012 when two recommendations for improvement were made. These related to including contact details in the young person’s guide and the timing of fire drills.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has increased the frequency of fire drills in the home. This means that young people and staff are more familiar with safe evacuation methods. Furthermore, evening fire drills ensure that young people are better prepared to evacuate the home at different times of the day and night. The recommendation made at the last inspection is therefore met.

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Progress

The fire detection equipment in the home is regularly tested and serviced. This ensures that electronic systems to detect fire are well maintained and functional. However, a significant concern has been found as a result of this inspection. The fire and rescue authority inspected the home in May 2012 following which a notification of deficiencies was given to the home, with a copy sent to Ofsted, in June 2012. This notice specifically related to there being no evidence of staff training as required under Article 11 (1) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Fire training was planned for September 2012 but did not take place. The Registered Manager showed the inspector evidence that fire training has been arranged for March 2013. However, this delay in ensuring that all staff receive appropriate fire safety training means that young people are potentially at risk of harm. The inspector ensured that

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Progress

the fire and rescue service were notified of this shortfall during the inspection.

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Progress

The young person’s guide now includes the contact details for the Children’s Rights Director. However, this document does not contain the contact details for Ofsted. As a result of this shortfall, young people may not be able to contact the regulator if they have worries or concerns. The recommendation from the last inspection has therefore not been fully met.

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Progress

The behaviour of young people is appropriately managed by the staff team. Complaints, tensions and difficulties between young people are resolved appropriately and they are actively rewarded for positive behaviour. Restraint is only used for the purposes of keeping young people safe. The recording of restraint is, on the whole, appropriately completed. However, the home uses two systems for recording incidents of restraint. Individual records kept in young people’s files are highly detailed and include all of the required information. However, the home’s central record of restraint is missing the duration and location of restraint on some records. The Registered Manager is therefore not effectively monitoring all records kept by the home or ensuring adherence to the home’s policies. This shortfall has not impacted on the outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Appropriate and fair sanctions are given to young people when they display socially unacceptable behaviours. However, the staff team do not always seek the views of young people following the use of these measures. Therefore, the Registered Manager is not able to fully review the effectiveness of sanctions or determine whether young people think they have been treated fairly.

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Progress

Young people live in a home that is mostly well decorated and maintained. However, some areas of the home require attention. A communal room has an unsightly hole in the wall; a door is cosmetically damaged; a light fitting is missing and some tiles are missing in a young person’s bathroom. The Registered Manager confirms that requests have been made to the organisation to rectify these shortfalls. However, some of the affected areas have remained unresolved for several weeks.

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Progress

There have been some other improvements since the last inspection. Young people benefit from an improved system of reviewing their progress. Key workers now hold monthly reviews with young people when progress is regularly shared, recognised and any concerns are swiftly resolved. The use of ‘outcomes folders’ helps young people measure their progress and recognise their achievements. For example, folders contain photographs of young people completing domestic tasks and attending training, sporting and other community-based activities. Through participation in these activities young people develop confidence, self-esteem and practical skills. A young person commented, ‘I get to play with my friends in the village and I do lots of different activities with the staff.’ Young people receive support from the organisation’s therapist and as a result are developing emotional resilience and improving relationships with their families. The

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Progress

staff team regularly consult with young people about meal choices, activities and ideas for further improving the home. Key work sessions focus on their aspirations, views and feelings. A young person commented about the staff that, ‘They talk to me and help me deal with things.’ A member of staff commented, ‘We’re a nurturing home and work hard with young people to help them.’

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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) produce a guide to the children's home which shall include the address and telephone number of HMCI (Regulation 4 (3) (c) ) 21/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees) are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 32 (1A) ) 15/02/2013

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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 that where sanctions are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in the records kept by the home (NMS 3.18)  ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated (NMS 10.3)  ensure that the manager regularly monitors, in line with regulations, all records kept by the home to ensure compliance with the home's policies, to identify any concerns about specific incidents and to identify patterns and trends. Immediate action is taken to address any issues raised by this monitoring. (NMS 21.2)

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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.

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