Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Unique reference number SC067757 Inspector Jennie Christopher Type of inspection Interim 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 Leanne Emma Heppleston Date of last inspection 22/07/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 10/02/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

The home was last inspected in July 2014, where it was judged as good in all areas. Staff strive to make a positive difference to lives of young people living in the home. They form and nurture positive relationships with young people with a shared goal of achieving good outcomes. Young people talk positively about the home and staff and observed interactions indicate they have some strong relationships with staff. Staff were observed supporting an individual to complete maths work sheets, remaining calm and encouraging the young person when they became frustrated. Recent changes within the staff team has led to a period of instability while the team has formed a consistency in approach. Newer staff feel those with more experience have guided them well to do this.

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This inspection

There have been nine young people move into the home since the last inspection, with ten young people moving on. Staff and managers are thoughtful of how they will meet individual’s needs safely, and will often provide placements for those who have struggled elsewhere. Planning prior to placement is mostly strong; however gaps in information from placing authorities and the combination of young people within the group has contributed to placements being unsuccessful. Those who have moved on have moved to placements identified as better able to meet their needs or as a result of police bail conditions. The high turnover of young people is a concern in relation to the stability of young people who have been placed in the home for over a year. Despite them commenting that ‘it 'doesn't bother' them, the change in individuals does cause disruption. Records are generally clear in evaluating young people’s progress once they have been in placement for a significant period of time.

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This inspection

Highlighted successes include: completion of short courses in fishing, music and home safety; increased education attendance and learning skills for adulthood.

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This inspection

Staff aim to create a calm environment where young people feel safe. Behaviour management focuses on de-escalation and diversion. Restraint is used when 3 of 5 required and police intervention is a last resort. Sanctions are fair and proportionate and young people usually record their views. However, the effectiveness of sanctions is not consistent and lacks evaluation of measures used and a reflective approach to practice. Young people continue to go missing on occasions, however close working with specialist services provides support for individuals to consider how they can respond differently in the future. Additionally, young people engage effectively with drug and alcohol support services and the youth offending team when appropriate.

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This inspection

The suitably qualified and experienced Registered Manager effectively leads the new deputy manager and forming staff team. Staff are confident in their roles and feel well supported. They are knowledgeable of young people’s needs and how best to support them. Partnership working is entrenched in daily practice and communication between family and key professionals is effective in providing a joint approach to care. The fabric of the building is generally in good order. However, the bathroom requires attention, in particular rotten wood behind the toilet and the shower requires a wall mounting. Bedroom carpets are dirty and burnt in places and the paint on door frames is chipped. The Registered Manager is aware of the issues and has made maintenance personnel aware.

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This inspection

External monitoring in line with Regulation 33 and manager’s monitoring highlight areas for improvement and includes any significant trends and patterns. Notifications are forwarded to those listed in schedule 5 without delay and updates made available. There have been no complaints since the last inspection and concerns with neighbours are pre-empted by the Registered Manager, intervening promptly to resolve concerns. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned, providing care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/07/2014 Full good 18/02/2014 Interim good progress 16/08/2013 Full adequate 30/01/2013 Interim good progress

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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 of which shall include the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure (Regulation 17B(3)(f)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children’s home used by children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained. (Regulation 31(2)(e)) 30/04/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

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.

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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.

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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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