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

Unique reference number SC391379 Inspection date 11/01/2013 Inspector Jennie Christopher Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 30/05/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This children's home is registered to take up to four young people with emotional or behaviour difficulties. The home is owned by a private organisation.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

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

p.3

Progress

At the last full inspection in May 2012, the overall quality rating for the service was judged as good with two requirements and two recommendations made. The home demonstrates a steady improvement in the quality of care provided with a focused commitment to service development. A particular strength of the home is the enthusiasm of staff team, who are focused on promoting a positive home environment for young people.

p.3

Progress

At the last inspection requirements were set regarding updating the Statement of Purpose to contain all relevant information and evaluating monthly monitoring and forwarding copies of this to Ofsted. The Statement of Purpose has been amended and has all relevant sections within it. This ensures staff, placing authorities and interested parties are aware of the aims and objectives of the service and how young people’s needs will be met. Six monthly monitoring reports have been completed and show a good level of evaluation of how the service is functioning and what can be done to move it forward. The recommendations set were in relation to implementing a risk assessment for lone working and ensuring the time and length of supervision is recorded. A policy is in place for lone working, but does not consider all situations where staff work alone with young people in the home. Safeguards are in place, such

p.3

Progress

as the young person’s individual risk assessments. However staff were unable to locate a specific risk assessment regarding working in the home with one or more young people. Access to staff supervision records could not be gained during the inspection; therefore this also remains a recommendation.

p.4

Progress

Young people continue to receive well planned care from a committed and competent staff team and are thriving as a result. Young people have a positive view of the care that they receive and they say their relationships with staff are good. They feel they have staff they can go to with any concerns and that staff keep them safe. Staff have clear and consistent boundaries in a caring environment. This has enabled young people to feel supported to positively manage their own behaviour. The culture within the home celebrates individuality and diversity. As a result, young people receive quality care and support based on their individual needs.

p.4

Progress

Since the last inspection, work has been done to evaluate the current level of service and to identify areas for development to improve young people’s outcomes. Examples include daily planners and timetables for young people, including educational activities for when they are not in education or refusing to attend. This ensures a consistency of approach form staff and that young people understand what the plan is each day. Further improvements include plans to evidence young people’s achievements in ‘outcomes’ files. Monitoring systems continue to review the quality of care and the home environment. These identify areas where outcomes for young people and their living environment can continuously be improved. Evaluative reports of independent monitoring visits and six monthly monitoring by managers demonstrate how the service is progressing effectively.

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.4

Recommendations

 implement a risk assessment for lone working identifying any risks to children, staff and the public (NMS 17.9)  ensure the time and length of each supervision is recorded. (NMS 19.5)

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5