Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Bedford

Unique reference number SC412953 Inspector Natalie Burton 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 Daniel Curtis Campbell Date of last inspection 25/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 08/07/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness inadequate

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

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Overall effectiveness

Young people currently living at the home say they feel safe. They make gradual progress in terms of their self-confidence, emotional development and behaviour during their time in the home. This is because their individual needs are being clearly identified and well met. Young people receive care and support from a dedicated staff team, who are caring and nurturing. A strength of the home is the good relationships that staff have with young people. Staff are trained to a sufficient standard and understand the complex needs of young people well.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make progress in relation to their health needs, educational attendance and achievement and most reduce their anti-social behaviour. Staff seek the views of young people about the quality of care through key work sessions and group meetings.

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Overall effectiveness

However, there is a serious shortfall in practice in the home. This is with regard to a failure to implement the homes safeguarding policy. As a result young people’s welfare is not effectively safeguarded. In addition there are shortfalls with regard to resources for staff, specific training in bullying awareness and informing appropriate authorities of significant events. The organisation has responded promptly to areas of concern identified within this report, through the implementation of an action plan. 3 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and accommodates up to four young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/03/2014 Interim good progress 09/08/2013 Full good 23/01/2013 Interim inadequate progress 27/06/2012 Full outstanding

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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

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children’s home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose which shall include confirmation that the person authorised by the registered provider to make the record has spoken to the child concerned and the person using the measure about the measure (Regulation 17B (3)(h)) 29/08/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) implement a written policy which is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect and sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any 04/08/2014 4 of 11 allegation of abuse or neglect (Regulation 16 (1)(a and b)

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the procedure under paragraph (1)(b) shall in particular provide for written records to be kept of any allegation of abuse or neglect, and of the action taken in response (Regulation 16(2)(d)) 04/08/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure in relation to a children homes, any events listed in column 1 of the table in schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table. (Regulation 30 (2)) 04/08/2014

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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 staff are supported and guided to fulfil their roles and provide a high quality service to children. This is with particular regard to ensuring staff are provide with a telephone within the home to make calls to young people, fam and other interested parties (NMS 19)  ensure staff in the home are trained to recognise and deal with any indication incidents of bullying, to act proactively and intervene positively, engaging with those who bully as well as those who are bullied (NMS 3.12.)  ensure written records kept by the home when a child goes missing detail act taken by staff. In particular, any reasons given by the child for running away from the home and any action taken in the light for those reasons. This information is shared with the responsible authority and where appropriate th parents (NMS 5.10)  ensure the children’s home has a record of recruitment and vetting checks wh have been carried out on these working for the children’s home. With particul

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Recommendations

regard to references and telephone verification (NMS 16.3)  ensure a written or electronic record is kept by the home detailing the time a date and length of each supervision held for each member of staff, including t registered person. In particular with regard to ensuring the record is signed b the supervisor and the member of staff at the end of supervision. (NMS 19.5) 5 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Some young people make real progress in attending educational provisions based on their individual needs. With the support and encouragement of staff, young people have learnt the importance of education and have shown resilience in attending their educational provision. Some young people, who have previously attended minimal education have engaged in gaining experience in their own personal interests to increase this, such as brick laying courses. As a result, their attendance has improved. Other young people engage well in their education attendance and achievement. Although staff work hard to encourage young people to engage in education, some young people’s engagement is sporadic. This prevents them achieving their full academic potential and their future life chances.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s health is improving because they attend routine appointments in relation to their health, such as dentists and opticians. They have engaged or are beginning to engage, in work towards improving their emotional well-being by accessing services that will support them with this; such as the organisations psychotherapist. Young people are also more healthy than they were because they are working with professionals who are helping them make informed choices about smoking and drug use. This has led to a reduction in the level of use for some young people. As a result, young people’s self-esteem and confidence grows.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people grow in confidence and develop emotional resilience because they are treated with respect. Some young people have made significant progress in reducing their offending behaviour. They recognise a change in their responses to anger and frustration and increasingly express their feelings in a more positive manner. Other young people have made progress in their physical health, improvements to their diet and completing educational awards.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Some young people benefit from building relationships with people important to them. Staff support regular contact with families and significant others. Other young people who have less positive relationships with significant people in their lives are supported by staff who understand the emotional impact this can have on young people’s emotional well-being.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

While there have been some issues within the local community, there is little impact. This is because the manager takes immediate action to prevent a re-occurrence. In addition young people have been involved in charity projects, and have recently completed a sponsored bike ride with staff.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people enjoy and are keen to increase their independence in line with their ages and individual plans. Some young people have responsibility to manage their allowances through their bank account and make withdrawals for items they need. 6 of 11 This gives young people a realistic sense of costs and practise for budgeting over a period. Other young people increase their independence through cooking and making sure their rooms are tidy. This all increases young people’s confidence and skills.

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Quality of care good

Young people benefit from positive relationships with staff. Staff knowledge of young people’s vulnerabilities and needs is strong. Young people are supported by staff that have a clear commitment to promoting diversity and equality. Staff have a comprehensive understanding about the individuality, social and cultural backgrounds of young people. Young people have an active input into the issues that affect them within the home. There are many remits where young people are encouraged to voice their wants and needs, with regard to the food they eat, activities, and individual targets to reach. These include key worker and group meetings.

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Quality of care good

Staff make sure young people to know how to make a complaint, because they are provided with relevant information on admission. Furthermore, young people have access to independent visitors and contact numbers for Ofsted. This practice empowers young people to make complaints of they are unhappy.

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Quality of care good

Practice is child centred and personalised, the manager and staff analyse each young person's needs and continually review the effectiveness of the strategies in place. Detailed and comprehensive placement planning reflects that young people are treated as individuals. Their individual needs are recognised and understood by the staff and individual targets are clearly stated and achievable. Sometimes young people’s behaviour has made it difficult to achieve a balance between encouraging increasing freedom and prioritising safety. In such instances the home prompts regular professional discussion of how best this can be achieved in order to fully meet the young person’s future support needs.

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Quality of care good

Staff encourage young people to reflect on how negative behaviours can impact on others. This practice proves effective as some young people subsequently show improved ability to deal with conflict appropriately. Although police have been called to the home on occasions, were behaviour escalated, this has now reduced. Young people receive a calm, practical and safe response to complex emotional challenges and risk taking behaviours.

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Quality of care good

Young people’s physical and emotional health is promoted and monitored. Young people can access the organisations psychotherapist who visits and engages with young people at least once a week. The psychotherapist is also available to staff, in assisting them to gain more knowledge and understanding of young people’s behaviour and emotional needs. This provides a consistent qualified professional to support the young people. Young people who have been admitted to the home with a history of drug misuse, are actively encouraged to attend sessions with external 7 of 11 agencies. This will help young people to gain information to enable them to make informed choices and to address their drug misuse. Young people are actively encouraged to engage in physical activities, such as football, going to the gym and taking part in a fitness test. The home’s procedures for the storage and administration of medication are good. Therefore, young people are only

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Quality of care good

administered medication that is prescribed for them. Healthy eating is promoted and menus are balanced and take into account personal preferences.

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Quality of care good

Staff actively promote education for all young people, either in maintaining their current placement or supporting them to re-engage in education. They liaise closely with professionals to advocate for young people and ensure services effectively respond to their complex needs. Staff have an informed understanding of the young people’s education needs and are able to provide consistent and meaningful support. this ensures that each young persons attendance and educational progress is promoted and supported.

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Quality of care good

Young people are offered plentiful opportunities to be involved in activities, as part of the therapeutic programme. This is both individually and as part of a group. Activities include, writing lyrics for music, swimming, cooking, paintballing, table tennis and go karting.

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Quality of care good

Young people live in a pleasant and comfortable family home. The home is located, designed and of a size and layout that is in keeping with its Statement of Purpose; it meets the needs of all the young people placed. Young people’s rooms are of a good size and are personalised with young people; the home is well maintained and they have a large garden.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people report that they feel safe in the home. The home has a clear safeguarding policy, and staff are informed of policies and procedures through induction and training. However, on occasions, the policy has not been fully implemented when allegations against staff are made. For example, allegations have not been referred to the Local Authority Designated officer and there was a failure to take effective action in addressing allegations. In addition some written records were lacking in evidencing all the action taken. This does not ensure that young people’s welfare is adequately safeguarded and that the allegation has been investigated in line with protocol.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people placed at the home have complex emotional and behavioural difficulties and often display challenging behaviours. Staff reinforce positive behaviour, through implementing the organisations therapeutic programme. This includes a three tier incentive programme, and diversion activities to learn new interest; such as, driving theory test or horse riding. This supports young people to develop strategies to manage conflict positively and respect for others. Practice is 8 of 11 informed by risk assessments which balance minimising risks without impeding young people’s independence. Young people with challenging behaviours, are supported by staff, including the manager coming in the evening to support the bedtime routine. Some young people’s previous offending and anti-social behaviours have reduced and on occasion, where there has been an impact on the local community these have been appropriately managed, and this has prevented re-occurrences. Measures of

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

control are based on establishing positive relationship and take account of the needs of each individual young person. However, on occasion, some measures of control do not include all the required information. For example, staff do not consistently seek the views of young people about the measure of control. This does not ensure that young people are given the opportunity to voice their view of the measure used.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people rarely go missing. However, when they do, staff implement the homes missing from home and care procedure. Such as, notifying and providing any known information to the police and placing authorities. In addition, staff actively search and try to make contact with young people to establish their whereabouts. However, staff are not provided with the means to communicate with young people, such as a telephone that can call text messages to mobiles. Staff have been using their own personal phones to keep in touch with young people. This does not ensure that staff are provided with all the resources they need to keep young people safe. When young people are missing for a considerable period of time, managers arrange meetings with the appropriate authorities to discuss the next steps needed to safeguard young people. However, on their return, while staff respond positively to young people, they do not consistently try to find out the reason they went missing.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

This does not ensure that all action is taken to prevent a re-occurrence.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people do not currently identify bullying as an issue. Staff actively promote that bullying is not acceptable and implement the bullying policy. However, on occasions, due to some young people’s complex needs, bullying has occurred, despite strategies being implemented. For example, incidents of bullying are addressed through managers giving verbal warnings, key work sessions and on occasion disruption meetings. In addition, during these occasions management have made sure they are at the home to support staff and young people at known potential times during the day; such as at bedtime. Some, but not all, staff have had training in managing incidents of bullying. This does not ensure that all staff are aware of possible indications of incidents, or that they intervene positively to robustly de-escalate situations.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people are protected by a sound recruitment process. However, while head office hold all recruitment checks, the home does not have a record of all the checks completed; such as references. Therefore it was not possible to check that all checks had been completed prior to staff working at the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe inadequate

Young people live in a safe environment. Health and safety is well managed. Fire safety training for staff, regular checks to the fire systems and fire drills ensure young people and staff know what to do in the event of a fire. 9 of 11

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Leadership and management adequate

The Registered manager has been in post since 2010; has over twenty years’ experience of working with children and young people; and is working towards the level 5 Diploma in leadership for Health and Social Care. The serious shortfall identified within this report, occurred when the Registered Manager was on annual leave. The organisation did provide for clear arrangements to ensure that there was appropriate management cover, however, the action following concerns raised, was ineffective during this time.

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Leadership and management adequate

Management have met the one recommendation made at the last inspection. This is because the home is well maintained, and decorated. As a result young people are provided with a pleasant living environment. Internal and external monitoring of the service generally identify good practice, shortfalls and areas of development. However, while external monitoring identified some of the shortfalls within this report, action taken did not prevent re-occurrence of a similar issue. In response to the organisations awareness of the shortfall within this inspection report, immediate action has been taken. For example, an action plan has been developed and implemented to begin to address the shortfalls.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager understands the strengths of weaknesses of the home and has a detailed development plan, to improve the service provided to young people. There is a clear commitment and motivation to provide a care programme that enables young people to overcome significant obstacles and difficulties so they can achieve their full potential.

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Leadership and management adequate

The Statement of Purpose sets out the aims and objectives for the home and a children’s guide reflects these. Staffing levels are sufficient and most staff possess the skills and experience necessary for looking after vulnerable young people. For example, most have attained the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Caring for Children. Staff feel supported by the management and receive supervision and appraisal. However, records are not consistently signed by both the member of staff and the supervisor. While there is minimal impact on young people this does not ensure that the Registered Manager is able to fully evidence the support given to staff in the home. Regular staff meetings are well recorded and these cover a good range of information, including the development of young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

Records within the home are held securely in a locked office helping to protect confidentiality of information. In addition, young people’s records are up-to-date and include current documentation, such as minutes of reviews. This helps staff to provide a good level of care.

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Leadership and management adequate

Management generally implement the procedure for notifying the appropriate authorities of significant events. However, on occasion, in the absence of the 10 of 11 Registered manager, this has not consistently occurred. This does not consistently ensure that efficient action is taken and that all the appropriate authorities are kept up to date. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management adequate

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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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