Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC438648 Inspector Chris Golbourn Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Benecare Ltd Registered person address 18 - 20 Canterbury Road Whitstable Kent CT5 4EY Responsible individual Stephen William Richmond Registered manager Angela Lorraine Baskerville Date of last inspection 22/01/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 11/12/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory 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

This is a good home which is managed very effectively. The manager and deputies work very well together and they provide strong leadership to the staff team. There is good oversight of the care that is given to children and young people and the progress they make.

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Overall effectiveness

Children and young people benefit from being well cared for by a consistent team of managers and staff who are committed and enthusiastic about their work and who create a warm and nurturing environment where children and young people can grow and develop.

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Overall effectiveness

As a result children and young people settle and make positive relationships with staff. Their sense of confidence and self-esteem improves because they feel valued and respected and they begin to address difficulties from their past and to move on with their lives. Children and young people report feeling very happy living in this home. They have positive relationships with each other and the staff team.

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Overall effectiveness

In relation to their starting points, children and young people make good progress in this home across all aspects of their personal, social, behavioural and educational development. Such progress is directly attributed to the calibre and commitment of the management and staff team. As a result of the care they receive, they settle into 3 of 11 education and develop aspirations for their future. Their health improves because they have a good routine and a healthy lifestyle. They are involved in activities in their local community where they make and sustain friendships and they learn the practical and social skills that will support them in later life.

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Overall effectiveness

Operationally, safeguarding and child protection procedures are robustly implemented. Children and young people are safe and report that they feel safe. Staff understand children and young people's individual vulnerabilities and they work very effectively to ensure young people are protected. This is clear in reporting and recording. Policies and procedures in respect of safeguarding and child protection require updating. Management and staff manage young people's behaviour very well minimising the need for physical intervention.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager holds placing authorities to account and passionately advocates in the best interests of the young people in her care. Potential referrals have been refused where she has concluded that the home cannot meet the presenting needs. This demonstrates good practice.

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Overall effectiveness

One requirement and three recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection. The requirement relates to the safeguarding policy being disjointed and child sexual exploitation not being included in it. The three recommendations relate to: training to ensure appropriate staff qualification; education arrangements and outcomes for children and young people; and compliance with policy to review and learn from behaviour. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company who also manage a fostering agency and three further children's homes. This is a home for two children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The manager also manages the home located next door.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 11/04/2013 Full good 17/07/2012 Interim good progress 28/05/2012 Full inadequate

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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) prepare and implement a written policy which- (a) is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children's home from abuse or neglect; and (b) sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of any allegation of abuse or neglect (Regulation 16(1)(a) and (b)) 12/01/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take 5 of 11 account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure the home regularly reviews incidents of challenging behaviour, examines trends or issues emerging from this, to enable staff to reflect and learn to inform future practice (NMS 3.21)  ensure that children are helped by staff to achieve their educational or training goals. This includes providing support, facilities and opportunities as needed. (NMS 8.4)  ensure appointees to the role of registered manager who do not have the management qualification must enrol on a management training course within six months, and obtain a relevant management qualification within three years, of their appointment. (NMS 14.3) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Children and young people have engaged much more consistently with education. This is a significant improvement for those who had not attended school for a considerable time before they came to the home. They have aspirations for their future and plans which include further and higher education, and training. This improves their life chances.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All children and young people have a good understanding of key health issues and generally enjoy a healthy lifestyle. They eat healthily, they attend routine health appointments and they have a good daily routine. Those children and young people who smoke or use substances when they come to the home are given a great deal of support to help them to stop. These are not significant issues for young people who currently live in the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Children and young people learn practical and social skills to help to prepare them for their future independence. They are all expected to help with some of the household chores. For example, they work with staff to prepare and cook their meals, keep their own rooms clean and tidy, and help with their own laundry. Children and young people also learn where appropriate, how to budget and how to make their own health and other appointments.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Children and young people maintain regular contact with relatives and individuals who are important to them. This benefits them emotionally and sustains their sense of identity. Staff have a very good understanding of children and young people's contact plans and they support children and young people fully to ensure that contact is positive for them.

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Quality of care good

Staff are committed and enthusiastic, they have a good understanding of the individual needs of the children and young people, who benefit from being well cared for. Staff clearly communicate to the children and young people that they want them to do well and that their safety and welfare are at the forefront of all they do for them. As a result, children and young people feel happy, safe and settled, enabling them to start to address issues in their lives.

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Quality of care good

Children and young people were observed interacting positively with staff, and have said that they 'get on' with staff and feel able to talk to them. Professionals make very positive comments about the quality of care in the home and the progress that 7 of 11 young people make. For example, one said 'the personalised way that all of the young person’s needs are met and how the home continually reassess the change over time, means that the young person gets the best care that can be made available for him', another said 'the home do everything within their power to safeguard the young person even though the young person does have a difficult and complex background'

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Quality of care good

The home has a very personalised care approach, planning is individualised to each child or young person, to meet their specific needs. Care plans are detailed and fully consider all aspects of children and young people's lives. Children and young people are consulted and where possible, plans and risk assessments are written with them. As a result, children and young people feel this process helps them to think about their past and the issues that are important to them.

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Quality of care good

Contributing to their plans in this way, children and young people are fully engaged in the planning process, this ensures that their plans reflect their views. Staff make sure that children and young people have lots of opportunity to contribute their views to the running of the home. Regular discussions with children and young people both individually and as a group are held and staff give them feedback on issues that they raise. Therefore children and young people feel confident that their views matter and that they influence their care and the running of the home. This in turn helps to develop children and young people's feelings of self-worth.

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Quality of care good

Some children and young people who come to live at the home have been out of education for some time. Staff work conscientiously to ensure that each child or young person has a school or placement that will meet their needs. Education is seen as a priority in the home and regular attendance and engagement in education is positively promoted. Professionals involved with the home openly acknowledge this. Staff ensure that there is a good routine in the home to support children and young people's attendance: they take the children and young people to and from school; and they attend regular meetings to resolve any difficulties (quite often in creative ways). They recognise and celebrate all young people's achievements. Consequently young people are able to engage with education and to make steady progress.

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Quality of care good

The impact of very effective work by the staff with children and young people to help them to learn how to manage conflict and difficulties in their own lives is clearly seen. Through discussions with children and young people, staff develop individualised behaviour support plans. Staff work as a team to provide appropriate boundaries and consistent care. Children and young people respond well to the care given. Over time improvements in behaviour are apparent and children and young people learn to interact more positively with others.

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Quality of care good

Staff work closely with a range of other professionals in addition to placing authorities, for example; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; education providers; substance misuse teams; the police; and the youth offending service. Staff have also established good links with the local safeguarding team. These 8 of 11 collaborative partnership arrangements ensure that there is a consistent and coordinated approach to the care, welfare and safety of children and young people. Subsequently, they have access to any additional resources necessary to promote their safety and well-being.

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Quality of care good

Arrangements in the home for the safe storage and administration of medication are secure, ensuring that children and young people are protected and have appropriate medication when required.

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Quality of care good

Children and young people benefit from living in a comfortably furnished well maintained homely environment. There is sufficient space to allow children and young people to spend time together if they wish or to be private. Pride is taken by the children and young people in personalising their rooms to meet their individual tastes.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The arrangements for safeguarding children and young people in the home are good. Staff are trained in safeguarding, including in issues of child sexual exploitation. This training is regularly refreshed to ensure that staff knowledge and skills are up to date. Staff have a very good understanding of the individual vulnerabilities of the children and young people. They work collaboratively with each other and external agencies to safeguard them.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children and young people report that there is no bullying and they say that they feel 'very safe' in the home. Professionals also report that children and young people are cared for safely.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Detailed risk assessments for children and young people are developed. Staff discuss these with the children and young people to assist them to understand how staff are working to keep them safe. Plans are personalised and holistic, addressing all areas of any potential concern. Management in the home closely monitor the plans to ensure that they remain relevant to the children and young people's emerging individual needs.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Some children and young people had frequently gone missing before they came to live in the home. Effective partnership working with the police and other agencies is established to ensure that information about young people is shared appropriately if a young person does go missing. The home's clear reporting procedure and the local police protocol is closely followed. As a result of the work by staff and the relationships they develop with the children and young people, these incidents are significantly reduced. This means that children and young people are much safer.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children and young people’s behaviours are generally well managed in the home. 9 of 11 They behave well towards one another and staff. Staff are trained in physical intervention and other behaviour management techniques. They are very successful in defusing situations with children and young people. Consequently, the number of incidents that have resulted in physical restraint have reduced over time. This is very good practice; it lessens stress for children and young people and positively contributes to their sense of safety.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children and young people understand that there are consequences for certain actions. These are clearly set out and are consistently applied and appropriately recorded. Children and young people are also actively encouraged to comment on the use of sanctions in the record. As a result reflective discussions take place with young people to help them to learn a better way of managing their actions.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The manager and the wider organisation exhibit robust recruitment practices. All new staff are vetted before they start work. All visitors to the home are checked before they are allowed in. These arrangements protect children and young people from unsuitable individuals who may pose a risk to them.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The home is kept safe for children and young people, staff and visitors through a range of robust health and safety risk assessments and checks on equipment. Children and young people take part in fire drills and are well versed in the procedures; as a result they know how to leave the home safely in an emergency.

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Leadership and management good

There is a motivated Registered Manager in post, who has been in this position since December 2012. She has relevant and high levels of competence. She continues to undertake relevant professional development, working towards appropriate managerial qualifications. The Registered Manager is supported by two qualified and competent deputies and together they manage the home effectively and efficiently.

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Leadership and management good

The management team and staff maintain positive working relationships with partner agencies, the local community children and young people.

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Leadership and management good

There have been no reported concerns or complaints raised since the last inspection from children, young people or others. Children and young people's care documents clearly evidence the positive impact the home is having on them.

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Leadership and management good

The arrangements for management monitoring are good. An independent person visits the home regularly and undertakes checks on the quality of care and the progress young people are making. The visitor talks to children and young people, parents, staff and professionals during their visits and includes their views in the reports to the provider. The Registered Manager believes in leading by example and is involved in all aspects of the home's functioning including cleaning, and health and safety. This enables her to monitor everyday practice in the home. She also regularly 10 of 11 completes the formal monitoring systems which focus on children and young people's progress over a period of three months. Reports from these monitoring activities are detailed and evaluative. The management team understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home and there is a development plan in place. This sets out expectations for the home for the coming year and is regularly reviewed and updated

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Leadership and management good

Conversely, the safeguarding policy has not been updated in light of; recent local and national concerns raised in relation to recognising child sexual exploitation; being linked to missing children; and other identifying factors. As a result a statutory requirement has been made.

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Leadership and management good

The home is able to meet the aims and objectives as set out in the Statement of Purpose document. This is a clear document which is easy to understand and provides accurate information to parents and other potential stakeholders. The young person’s guide is well written and the format suits young people, being compiled and written by a young person resident in the home. There is also a plan to write a separate version for younger children.

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Leadership and management good

There have been some staff changes since the last inspection with new staff joining the team. The Registered Manager states that she has 'handpicked' the team. The children and young people who have been resident since this time have been supported well during any changes. Staff induction and essential training is provided through formal courses, on-line training, and face to face discussions in supervision, and as part of staff appraisals.

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Leadership and management good

The home is fully staffed by a team who are enthusiastic and committed to meeting the individual needs of the children and young people. Staff work with young people, family and involved agencies to ensure that clear plans and goals are set and met for all young people. This has led to a significant reduction in safeguarding and missing from home concerns. One independent reviewing officer commented, 'the manager and staff in home go the extra mile for the children’. A social worker from a different authority said that ’the home and staff are absolutely fantastic’ and that ’the manager is brilliant’. She was asked to qualify these acclamations. She said that ' the young person has for the first time since being in the care system, reached a place where the young person has settled down’.

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Leadership and management good

Individual files of children and young people are maintained with detailed information recorded by all staff members. These are stored securely to protect confidentiality. This information contributes to young people's understanding of their history and care in the home. Children and young people are actively encouraged to read and contribute to all their records so that they know what is written about them and so that their views are incorporated into all their plans. 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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