Esther House

Unique reference number SC474150 Inspector Emeline Evans Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

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 POST VACANT Date of last inspection 09/09/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 09/02/2015

p.1

Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

This inspection

The home has had a vacant manager’s position since October 2014. The organisation has taken action and is urgently trying to recruit to this position. In the interim period, a Registered Manager from another newly registered home has taken the responsibility of acting manager. The manager reports that, due to this being a temporary arrangement, his priority has been to ensure young people are safe and secure and the staff team are supported to fulfil their roles. The management team understand the strengths of the service and know areas for development but has yet to complete a development plan for the service.

p.2

This inspection

In recent months, the home has experienced a change with the group dynamics in the home. Young people are just beginning to settle into a new environment. Staff work in partnership with professionals to assess young people’s needs prior to moving into the home. Since the last inspection in September 2014, the home has experienced six young people leaving the home and six new admissions. One of the young people who were in placement at the time of the last inspection remains living in the home. Three of these discharges were planned moves and were managed well by staff. Two young people were moved to secure children’s homes and the other was not a planned move. However, the home worked with closely with the placing authority to ensure the welfare of the young person was a priority.

p.2

This inspection

Staff set clear boundaries and young people know what is expected of them. As a result, young people continue to benefit from a child-centred approach from the staff team. A reduction in risk taking behaviours is evident. Incidents of missing from care and self-harm have reduced significantly in recent months. The home continues to work effectively in partnership with external agencies such as health services and the local police. However, records following an incident of self-harm did not indicate if medical advice was sought. According to the young person’s care planning documentation, this should have been the case. Therefore, it was not clear if staff 3 of 6 followed the young person’s care plan in this instance. There was also some confusion from staff as to whether the child and adolescent mental health team should be informed initially following an incident of self-harm or the emergency services.

p.2

This inspection

Allegations or suspicions of harm are promptly shared with external safeguarding agencies for consultation and appropriate action taken. This helps to safeguard young people. Significant events relating to the safety and welfare of young people have been notified to Ofsted appropriately. This ensures the regulator is kept up-to- date with matters of safeguarding within the home. There have been two complaints from a young person since the last inspection. One of these complaints involved the young person being supported to make a complaint outside the organisation. These have been fully investigated and the young person was happy with the outcome. This demonstrates to young people that their views are listened to and acted upon.

p.3

This inspection

The use of bedroom door alarms is currently in operation for the purpose of safeguarding young people. In addition, closed circuit television has been installed in outside areas. The home provided evidence they have sought consent from the placing authorities on the use of this measure. However, they have yet to formally receive this consent. In addition, this use of surveillance is not detailed in young people’s placement plans. The requirement has therefore not been fully met.

p.3

This inspection

Staff are confident in their roles and key workers well informed on the needs and progress of their key child. The monitoring systems in place continue to review the quality of care that young people receive and identify areas where outcomes for young people may be improved. The three further recommendations that were made at the last inspection have been met. The night time emergency escape plan has been reviewed and now enables everyone to be clear on the action to take during the night should evacuation be required. The home now retains information demonstrating good recruitment practice has taken place and regular agency staff are now provided with formal supervision. 4 of 6

p.3

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the children's home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there; in particular ensure that care plans are clear and they are consistently followed in relation to when to seek medical intervention (Regulation 11 (1) (a)) 31/03/2015

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that any electrical or mechanical monitoring devices for the surveillance of children are only used when conditions are met as detailed in regulation 22. (Regulation 22(1)(a)(b)(d)) 31/03/2015

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

 ensure that the registered person has a written development plan, reviewed annually, for the future of the home, either identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the service, or confirming 5 of 6 the continuation of the home's current operation and resource (NMS 15.2) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.4

Recommendations

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.6

What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6