Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC357981 Inspection date 18/03/2014 Inspector Mark Blesky Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/09/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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.

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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 inspection in September 2013, the home was judged as good for overall effectiveness. Two requirements were made, one related to the maintenance of the home and one requirement related to the Registered Manager's quality assurance practices. One recommendation was made and this related to young people's risk assessments.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has taken action to address the maintenance and cleanliness within the home. All staff have been reminded of their responsibilities to keep the home clean and well maintained. The homes maintenance programme has also been reviewed which has resulted in prompt repairs, refurbishment and maintenance. The Registered Manager confirmed that all young people’s bedrooms are routinely inspected and the home has engaged young people in keeping their own space clean and tidy. At the time of this inspection, new carpet was being laid throughout the home and new kitchen equipment had recently been installed. The house now presents as a clean and well maintained home.

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Progress

Review has taken place of the managers monitoring and quality assurance practices. The Registered Manager now conducts rigorous monitoring of the homes performance and documents any area that requires attention. The actions that are subsequently taken are recorded and then a separate and dedicated area of the report considers the impact on the quality of care. Records now include consultation with young people and document their views and comments. The quality assurance practices and monitoring of the home have significantly improved since the last inspection.

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Progress

Risk assessments have been reviewed since the last inspection. All risk assessments are now closely linked to the young people’s placement and care plans. Young people’s historic and emerging needs are considered in all risk assessment demonstrating how young people’s behaviour impacts on risk. Assessments are highly individualised and diverse providing good opportunities for staff to manage risk appropriately. Risk assessments now prioritise the areas of most concern, and maintain a proportionate and balanced assessment of broader, everyday risks.

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Progress

Following the last inspection, the Registered Manager has improved other areas of practice. All staff have undertaken intense self-harming training to help them gain insights and increased knowledge of this behaviour. The course has enabled staff to be more vigilant and aware of the signs and symptoms that can lead to self-harming. Staff members have also become more aware of behavioural triggers and factors that may influence this behaviour. Staff members are able to speak to young people with increased confidence and knowledge in this area.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has also reviewed staff appraisal. All staff now have learning assessments, which consider their preferred learning styles. All staff are formally assessed and programmes of support and supervision are tailored around their individual learning needs. Their training and support is more targeted and focused on their abilities and this has resulted in staff being more engaged in the supervision and appraisal process. One staff member commented that the appraisal process allows them increased influence over their learning and they feel their training is more engaging and rewarding. Staff training profiles and support programs demonstrate highly individualised and diverse support.

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Progress

Following the last inspection, the Registered Manager has now introduced a young people's forum. The Registered Manager meets each month with all the young people and the young people have an opportunity to speak to her in the absence of the care staff. The young people raise any matters that they wish about the home, their care or any other matters. For more day-to-day matters, the Registered Manager will respond directly to any views or requests. If matters are more significant with wider implications for the home, the Registered Manager will take these matters to a formal staff meeting. Forum meetings are minuted to ensure that young people's views are captured and recorded. The forum enables young people increased opportunities to express themselves to the Registered Manager and influence the running of the home.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has fully met the two requirements and one recommendation from the last inspection. In addition, she has carried out further development within the home to improve the outcomes for the young people.

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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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