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

Unique reference number SC391379 Inspector Emeline Evans 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 POST VACANT Date of last inspection 01/07/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 03/03/2015

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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 has had a vacant manager’s position since August 2014. The organisation took immediate action and a Registered Manager from another registered home has taken the responsibility of acting manager. A recent decision has been made for her to continue in this role to ensure consistency for the staff team and young people. She is currently in the process of applying for registration with Ofsted.

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This inspection

Changes within the home have resulted in a number of staff leaving. The management have worked hard to re-build the staff team and are continuing to identify and redevelop practice and processes. The manager is mindful of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and displays the capacity to further improve the service. The young people’s welfare is enhanced by the emerging relationships that exist between the staff and young people.

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This inspection

The home demonstrates steady improvement in the quality of care provided with a commitment to achieving positive outcomes for young people. In recent months, there has been a change to the group dynamics in the home. Young people are just beginning to settle into a new environment and adjust to group living. Since the last inspection in July 2014, the home has experienced four young people leaving the home and five new admissions. One of these was an emergency admission for an overnight stay until they moved to another service. Only one of the current young people in placement was also here at the time of the last inspection. The manager completes impact risk assessments prior to young people moving in and has worked closely with the placing authorities to ensure the welfare of the young people is secured.

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This inspection

The home has complied with the recommendation made at the last inspection for the Statement of Purpose to be revised and this now details information in relation to short term placements offered. This has been developed into a detailed and 3 of 5 informative document and gives parents and placing authorities a comprehensive overview about what to expect from the home.

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This inspection

Young people are supported in imaginative ways to progress across several areas of their lives, particularly in their behaviour. There have been continuing improvements in outcomes, in this area, with young people making significant progress since the last inspection. In recent months, the home has experienced a decrease in risk taking behaviours such as missing from care and self-harm. Project work has been undertaken with young people to reflect on these positive changes. One young person commented, ’staff gave me trust and now I don’t go missing.’ The manager has focused on evidencing outcomes and looking at patterns and trends in behaviours. These findings are incorporated into the therapeutic work the home completes with the young people. The home continues to work with professionals including health agencies, the local neighbourhood police and the young people to enable a further reduction in these behaviours. This work with young people is

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This inspection

underpinned by individualised behaviour management strategies, with a focus on incentive plans. There has been a reduction in sanctions imposed with the young people. However, it still is not clear if the sanctions have been fully evaluated for effectiveness.

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This inspection

The home has been proactive in addressing a series of complaints from neighbours. This has been a long standing issue and has involved the home liaising with the neighbours and police to resolve the concerns. There is a vast amount of evidence which demonstrates that these complaints have been investigated fully. Young people have been involved in trying to restore a positive relationship with the neighbours this is an on-going process. All complaints are thoroughly investigated and acted upon; managers learn from these concerns.

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This inspection

The two further recommendations that were made at the last inspection have not both been fully met. The risk assessments on the locking of doors have been reviewed, however the night time emergency escape plan has yet to be incorporated into this and therefore does not enable 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.

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This inspection

There is a commitment from the management and staff in the home to improve outcomes for young people; staff have positive and realistic aspirations for young people. Young people are positive about the quality of care they receive and describe the home as ‘fun.’ Young people know and understand what is expected of them. 4 of 5

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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

01/07/2014 Full good 14/02/2014 Interim good progress 18/10/2013 Full good 11/01/2013 Interim good progress

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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 ensure 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 and ensure fire escape routes at night time are clearly identified in these risk assessments. (NMS 10.8) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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