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

Unique reference number SC391379 Inspector Emeline Evans Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Benjamin UK Ltd Registered person address Ascott Lodge Lower Ascott, Wing Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 0PU Responsible individual Claudette Elizabeth Deysel Registered manager Malgorzata Klyz Date of last inspection 14/02/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 01/07/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from high levels of support from a child-centred staff team. Staff are consistently concerned with the welfare of the young people and have successfully created a nurturing and welcoming environment. The management team are constantly looking for innovative ways to further improve the quality of care provided. This is evident in the robust monitoring which takes place within the home which reflects the commitment of the staff team to improve outcomes for young people in the home.

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Overall effectiveness

Extremely effective relationships with education and a wide range of specialist services have been formed which ensures a comprehensive approach to care and placement planning. Social workers comment that the home is, ‘really good and they are consistent' .’ They further say that communication is effective through telephone updates and regular reports. Young people are beginning to feel safe and secure in their environment. Unsafe behaviours are challenged appropriately. Young people have formed good relationships with staff and becoming increasingly involved in various forms of therapy. The staff work closely with the placing authorities and other external agencies to ensure that young people receive personalised care that meets their individual needs and the aims of their placement.

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Overall effectiveness

Minor shortfalls, that are not seen to have an immediate impact on the young 3 of 11 people, have been identified. Recommendations have been made in regards to reviewing the effectiveness of sanctions, reviewing the Statement of Purpose to include admission information in respect of providing short breaks, ensuring good recruitment practice is consistently applied and revising the generic risk assessment to incorporate the fire escape routes when doors are locked and ensuring young people as much freedom as is safe. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

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.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/02/2014 Interim good progress 18/10/2013 Full good 11/01/2013 Interim good progress 30/05/2012 Full good

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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 the effectiveness of sanctions are regularly reviewed and recorded to provide an opportunity for amending behaviour management practice to ensu this offers a response that is effective (Statutory guidance, vol 5, para 2.92)  review the risk assessments on the locking of the front door and back escape route to ensure this continues to be necessary to safeguard children and prom their welfare. In addition, fire escape routes at night time are clearly identified these risk assessments (NMS 10.8)  ensure that the children's home has a clear statement of purpose which is available to and understood by staff and children and reflected in any policies procedures and guidance. In particular ensure that information in relation to placements is detailed (NMS 13.1)  ensure the registered person can demonstrate that they consistently follow go recruitment practice. This specifically relates to ensuring dates of employment

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Recommendations

supplied in references correspond to dates of employment given in application 5 of 11 forms. (NMS 16.2) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are beginning to make positive progress in many areas of their lives; their emotional well-being, confidence and self-esteem are developing well. This therapeutic community supports young people to begin to make sense of their childhood experiences. Young people benefit from the individualised support in place and are developing a clear understanding of themselves and are steadily addressing their behaviours and views. Young people are encouraged to engage in a range of therapeutic programmes and benefit from the emotional support of staff during these times. The joined partnership of the care staff, therapist and external professionals allow a holistic approach to be achieved; this ensures young people receive consistent messages from all the adults. One placing social worker commented,’ the young person is more reflective on other people’s actions now.’ As there have been some recent admissions to the home, it is difficult to fully assess the outcomes for these

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Outcomes for children and young people good

young people who are just beginning to settle into their new environment.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Staff recognise the value of education and provide effective support to the young people’s individual educational arrangement. Young people’s potential, aspirations and preference for future learning are fully recognised. Staff encourage and enable young people to complete job applications and apply for appropriate education placements. Staff support young people to make decisions in this area and this is further enhancing their self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The types of assessments and involvement with professionals young people engage in, are central to their development and to their emotional welfare. The majority of young people are committed to therapeutic intervention and staff are creative when young people are becoming disengaged. Young people have a good understanding of healthy life styles and holistic matters relating to their health and well-being. This includes sensitive matters such as sexual health and forming positive relationships. Young people are provided with information and support to make decisions in a range of areas, such as the food they eat and in unhealthy habits such as smoking. This is an area the home continues to work on with the young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit socially and develop new skills and personal interests by participating in an activity programme that offers a good variety and includes participating with local clubs which includes a gym induction, cinema, music lessons and skiing. The young people also enjoy day-to-day family type activities including going on shopping trips, thus promoting positive experiences of family life and positive interaction with adults.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people receive positive care which promotes their independence. Young people engage in practical skills such as cooking, washing and budgeting to prepare them for later life. Staff make sure young people are well prepared and confident about their 7 of 11 future plans. This helps young people to make important choices and move successfully on from the home.

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Quality of care good

A strength of the service is the supportive and nurturing environment where young people can begin to feel safe and become more confident. Young people and staff have worked through some challenging issues in recent months. However, staff’s persistence is beginning to have a positive impact on how young people relate to significant events in their lives. In particular, this includes the implications of living and adapting to changes in group dynamics and a reflection on their past experiences. Young people say they enjoy staffs' company and that they find staff approachable. Similarly, the group of young people currently living together are respectful towards each other and positive relationships are encouraged and supported through, house meetings and informally through daily routines such as meal times. Professionals comments include,’ staff are professional’ and ‘the support the young person receives from the staff is vital in her stability, emotional wellbeing

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Quality of care good

Young people are confident is speaking out about day-to-day living matters within the home. A culture of openness provides opportunities for young people to raise grumbles or formal complaints. Evidence shows that all forms of complaints are taken very seriously. Young people’s meetings take place regularly, giving the young people the opportunity to express their views in the running of the home. When young people choose to not engage in these meeting staff will gain young people’s views in an alternative way. Young people are given a range of opportunities to express their feelings; this is also achieved in key work sessions and as a group when having an evening meal. This involvement contributes to a very open and inclusive environment.

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Quality of care good

Staff have a good understanding and knowledge of the complex individual needs of young people. The young people are consistently cared for in line with their detailed and comprehensive placement plans. The changing needs of the young people are continually monitored and plans updated by staff in consultation, where appropriate, with parents, social workers and other professionals. This results in young people having the consistency and individualised care required for them to progress. Staff support educational placements with robust communication between home and schools. Those not attending education regularly are supported with alternative educational activities in the community. The young people are encouraged and supported to take personal responsibility for their health and personal care. Young people benefit from having regular access to specialist services arranged or provided by the home which include art therapy and psychotherapy.

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Quality of care good

8 of 11 The home is situated in a residential area within easy reach of local facilities. Young people live in an environment, which is decorated and furnished to a high standard providing a homely atmosphere. Professionals comment,’ the house is very inviting and homely.’ However, the front door and back fire escape route is kept locked at night. It is reported that this is necessary to ensure the environment is safe and secure and because of the vulnerabilities of young people in placement. Young people do not perceive the door being locked as a problem. However, the risk assessment in place does not support this practice to allow young people as much freedom as possible, consistent with the need to keep them safe. In addition, the fire risk assessment does not indicate the means of escape at night time when doors are locked.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The relationships young people are developing with the staff mean they are beginning to feel able to talk to staff should they feel worried or upset. Opportunities are regularly given for young people to discuss ways to keep themselves safe. Staff receive regular training on safeguarding and demonstrate a good understanding and knowledge of safeguarding matters. This ensures young people live in a home, which supports them to keep themselves safe. There is a culture of openness in the home that allows for discussion around bullying and staff work with young people to address and resolve any instances. Since the last inspection, there have been some incidents within the home, which involved young people being subjected to bullying behaviour. These were dealt with effectively by staff and the young people involved were supported. Professionals spoken to re-iterated this.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff are very proactive in promoting positive behaviour and relationships. As a result, young people predominantly behave appropriately and interact positively with both each and staff. Permissible forms of control, de-escalation techniques and discipline are clearly set out in organisational policies. There has been a low number of restraints since the last inspection all have been appropriate. Sanctions are imposed according to young people's behaviour and young people agree that they are aware of house rules. However, young people do not agree that some sanctions are effective in particular supervised spending. It was not clear in all documentation if the effectiveness of this sanction is robustly reviewed in all circumstances. Young people's behaviour plans and risk assessments are comprehensive and tailored to their assessed needs.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding are readily available to staff. Regular staff meetings, group, and one-to-one supervision enable staff to explore issues and agree strategies to minimise identified risks including bullying and allegations.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people know the consequences of risk-taking behaviours and how this impacts on their safety and their presence in the community. Staff are persistent in 9 of 11 supporting young people to keep safe and work collaboratively with external professionals to encourage young people to reflect on the impact of their behaviour. If young people leave the home and staff do not know where they are, young people’s well-being is the prime concern. All that is possible is done, in line with each young person’s risk assessment to locate them and return them home. Staff are proactive in maintaining frequent contact with the young person to establish their whereabouts. On their return, they are encouraged to speak to staff focusing on risks and staying safe and to explore the reasons why they went missing. There is effective liaison with families and the police to minimise the risk of recurrence.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There is a careful selection and vetting of staff working with young people in the home. However, there was no clear audit trail to confirm dates of employment confirmed in references were checked against dates given in application forms. This has indirectly created some possible gaps in employment. Young people’s safety is supported by sound health and safety routines. The home is physically safe and appropriately secure to take into account the needs of the young people. Detailed environmental risk assessments are undertaken to promote safety to ensure a safe environment for young people, staff and visitors.

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Leadership and management good

There is a strong management team effectively led by the Registered Manager. The Registered Manager has been in post in the children’s since October 2013 and is currently undertaking a level 5 qualification in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services. She also holds a degree in social work and masters in psychology. She has the necessary experience to provide strong and effective leadership. The manager has an active role within the home both working with the young people and working in partnership with other agencies. The whole team communicate a sense of striving for improvement. There is a development plan in place; this is comprehensive, with a clear focus on achieving outcomes for young people. The Registered Manager has addressed the two recommendations raised at the last inspection and this has improved the standard of care being provided by the home.

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Leadership and management good

Staff are enthusiastic and committed to the young people in their care. Staff numbers, their level of experience, and the support provided to them, are such that the staff sufficiently meet the needs of the young people. Staff report that they are very well supported by the management team. Staff are very positive about the range of unique training opportunities offered by the organisation. Since the last inspection, staff have participated in a range of training specific to the needs of the young people currently accessing the service. This includes training on self-harm and bullying. Regular supervision and staff meetings also support staff to provide a high- quality service to the young people. Young people are supported by a staff team that is consistent and stable. 10 of 11 Monitoring of the home has developed into a robust process where actions identified from these systems are promptly addressed. These processes are thoroughly

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Leadership and management good

evaluated and ensure the manager has a grasp on the strength of the service and any areas to improve on. They provide a clear analysis of young people’s holistic needs, progress and achievements.

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Leadership and management good

Records made are clear, up to date and provide a good picture of a young person's stay in the home. This ensures that there will be an accurate history of events recorded for them, should they wish to look at these records in the future. All significant events are reported to Ofsted as required. The home has received some complaints since the last inspection. There is evidence to demonstrate these complaints have been fully investigated and the home has been proactive in working with the young people and those concerned to resolve any further issues or concerns.

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Leadership and management good

A comprehensive Statement of Purpose is in place and this clearly outlines the aims and objectives of the service. Since the last inspection, the home has admitted a young person from another home within the organisation for a short stay. This was due to the risk posed to the young person continuing to stay at the other home at that time. However, the document does not reflect the use of the home in providing both long-term placements and a short break for young people from other homes within the organisation. There is no clear information in relation to the arrangements that would be in place in this instance, to minimise the impact on the home. However, the staff team are very clear on how this is achieved in practice and the management team ensure the young people’s individual needs are a priority. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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