Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Unique reference number SC357981 Inspector Mark Blesky/Liz Driver Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Benecare Ltd Registered person address 113a St. Johns Hill SEVENOAKS Kent TN13 3PE

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Responsible individual Stephen William Richmond Registered manager POST VACANT / Simon Peddle Date of last inspection 04/02/2015 2 of 11 Inspection date 26/03/2015

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Previous inspection inadequate 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 adequate

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Overall effectiveness

This full inspection follows an inadequate overall judgement at the previous, recent inspection. The acting manager and staff have undertaken significant actions to improve the quality of care for young people. The acting manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home. The acting manager has appropriately prioritised attention and improvement in the most significant areas of the home's performance. Actions taken have been far-reaching, proportionate and effective significantly improving the outcomes for young people and promoting their welfare.

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Overall effectiveness

The home provides personalised well-planned care for young people in placement and care is taken in ensuring young people's individual and more diverse needs are met. Young people's health care and education needs are met through good assessment evaluation and planning. Young people make good progress in both their education and healthcare from their starting positions.

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Overall effectiveness

Key working arrangements provide young people with an active and influential voice in their care and this is used to engage more closely with young people. This provides young people opportunities to articulate their wishes and become more confident in expressing opinions of their care. As a result young people feel influential and valued and they know that their opinions are taken seriously. 3 of 11 Young people also have other opportunities to express themselves through one-to- one meetings with staff and more formal house meetings. Young people use these opportunities effectively to express their thoughts and feelings and their comments help them influence the manner in which the home managed and their care is provided.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people enjoy close and meaningful relationships with staff based on mutual respect and care for one another. One young person commented that they can always go to staff at any time and staff will always find time for them.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people feel respected by staff say that this is demonstrated through the time and effort staff provide for young people. Behaviour is typically harmonious because young people listen to what they are being told and value the opinions of staff. Young people feel safe and supported and trusting staff to put their needs first, as a result young people share their opinions and concerns openly. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. The home caters for up to four children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/02/2015 Full inadequate 18/03/2014 Interim good progress 18/09/2013 Full good 16/01/2013 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

5 (2001) keep under review and, where appropriate, revise the statement of purpose and the children’s guide. (Regulation 5(a)) 31/03/2015 5 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s needs are met at this service. Young people make good progress in addressing previous and current behaviours and traumas, both emotionally and physically.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are encouraged and successfully engage in education with the support of the staff team and other educational professionals, such as the virtual headteacher for the local authority. Previous non-school attenders make good progress in their attendance, considering their starting points. Staff guide and support young people in their options and communicate well with education establishments. This approach ensures staff are fully informed of individual progress, and that young people are prepared for adult life and further education opportunities.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make good progress in addressing their health needs. Staff encourage and support young people to attend routine health appointments or specialist health professionals if needed. The service has good links with all health professionals, including the sexual health nurse and the child and adolescent mental health services. Sensitive medical issues are managed well with young people’s dignity being a priority.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s confidence grows at this service and this can be seen in their contribution to the running of the home. They participate in the young people’s meetings, engage in the wider community and make positive contributions to their placement reviews. Young people’s active role in the service development includes contributing to and re-writing the children’s guide in order to improve the experiences of other young people who move into the home. As a result, young people learn the benefits of making positive contributions and mature in line with expectations of their age.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are able to maintain contact with family and friends subject to any limitations set out in their care plans, such as supervised contact. Young people’s feelings are carefully considered. Their emotional and psychological well-being is promoted to make each contact a positive experience.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

There are effective procedures for successful transitions to adult life. Young people are supported to learn life skills they will need as an adult including managing finances. Young people take the opportunity to save, for example, towards driving lessons they can commence when they reach 17 years of age.

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Quality of care good

6 of 11 Young people receive good quality of care that puts them at the centre of practices. They develop constructive relationships with the staff and enjoy the time spent together. Young people respond well to staff practices with the number of incidents, such as absconding and challenging behaviours decreasing. Staff encourage positive behaviours and a sense of right and wrong. They have clear expectations of young people and set consistent boundaries robustly overseen by the temporary manager. As a result, young people learn how to interact positively and behave appropriately. When incidents do occur, staff manage them well as they are suitably informed of individual behaviour management plans and follow the strategies put in place.

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Quality of care good

Young people describe their care as good. They confirm their views and opinions are listened to and taken seriously. This is achieved through regular consultations with the young people, involvement in placement reviews and in their care planning, key worker sessions and house meetings. Improved care plans contain detail on every aspect of the young people’s physical, emotional and mental well-being. They also provide targets for both staff and the young people to work towards together. Young people know staff are concerned for their welfare. They are happy and feel they are valued and treated with respect. This enables them to make good progress in a safe environment.

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Quality of care good

There are improved arrangements for responding to complaints, although none have been made since the last inspection. Young people say they feel comfortable in raising any worries or concerns and feel confident that staff would take them seriously.

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Quality of care good

Young people have good attendance levels and make progress in their education. Good outcomes are seen for those young people who have previously been non- school attenders. Appropriate educational establishments are sought with the assistance of education professionals such as the local authority virtual school headteacher. Effective communication between the home and schools enable young people to maintain educational placements and to make good progress with their education, even during difficult times. Young people’s educational needs are met.

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Quality of care good

Improved individual care plans are being implemented. They contain very detailed information on every aspect of the young people so their needs can be met and targets can be set. Care plans are regularly reviewed and take into account any changes or heightened risks. Strong arrangements are in place to ensure young people benefit from maintaining good physical, emotional and psychological health. For example, despite their fears young people visit the dentist or orthodontist as the result of much supportive work carried out by the staff team. Staff ensure young people have access to services such as the child and adolescent mental health team and sexual health nurses. Young people receive medication as prescribed delivered by staff who follow a robust medication policy and procedures. All necessary consents are in place.

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Quality of care good

The staff team work closely with all professionals involved in young people’s lives 7 of 11 such as social workers, health care agencies and the police. This supports the coordinated and consistent approach to young people’s care.

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Quality of care good

Young people access leisure activities that they can choose. For example young people enjoy going to the cinema, shopping and eating out. They are encouraged to exercise as part of their healthy living lifestyle. Young people enjoy an improved diet that is varied, nutritious and generally well balanced. Staff encourage young people to develop their skills in relation to healthy eating and have, for example, brought a smoothie making machine that young people enjoy using. In addition young people join staff on training sessions about healthy lifestyles and diet. The kitchen facility is much improved and now presents as a more hygienic environment. Old cooking items have been replaced with new; for example the microwave.

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Quality of care good

The home has been subject to much maintenance since the last inspection. In particular, it has been extensively cleaned and is now a safe and hygienic place to live.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are kept safe because staff understand their needs and appropriately manage their vulnerabilities. Staff understand how their behaviour can sometimes place them in situations that present increased risk. Young people gain insights into keeping themselves safe and free from harm, through good consultation and support. As young people's understanding and awareness of keeping themselves safe grows, they become safer. One young person stated, ‘I know how to keep myself safe, and I have learnt this by listening to staff.’

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are fully integrated in their risk assessments and where possible undertake safeguarding training alongside staff. This results in young people taking an active role in identifying risk and times when they are most vulnerable. This further increases young people's knowledge of how to keep themselves safe. One young person commented, ‘I know what the risks are, and how to avoid them, because I have gone through these with staff.’

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people rarely go missing from this home and this is because staff engage young people in dialogue that effectively de-escalates behaviour that may lead to going missing or becoming absent. Staff members are vigilant to the signs and symptoms of behaviour that is likely to increase going missing and their prompt and effective action typically distracts young people from this behaviour.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

When young people do go missing, the home deploys prompt and effective action to search, report and recover the young person. All staff are competent in managing this behaviour as a result of regular training and guidance and through supervision and staff meetings. Where young people have previously displayed going missing behaviour, effective strategies are put into place which has reduced and minimised 8 of 11 further episodes.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Behaviour management successfully engages young people in understanding and taking responsibility for their behaviour. Young people understand when their behaviour is unacceptable and staff will reinforce alternate positive behaviours. Both rewards and sanctions are used creatively resulting in young people typically managing their behaviour successfully.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

When sanctions are used, it is done sparingly and young people are successfully guided towards behaviour that is more acceptable. One young person commented, ‘I don't like sanctions, but they are fair and I only get these if I ignore staff.’ Young people who have previously displayed negative and destructive behaviours have been successfully diverted and improved their behaviours considerably.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Physical intervention is also used sparingly and as a last resort, but when it is used it is only used to safeguard and protect young people from their own behaviour. Staff members understand the impact of using physical interventions and young people are always debriefed following these interventions. These debrief sessions enable young people to understand why the action was taken and work more closely with staff to avoid further episodes. When staff use physical interventions they use these strategies safely and appropriately because they are suitably trained and competent to use these measures.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

All staff are recruited and vetted through robust employment procedures. This ensures that only those staff members that are suitable to provide care and promote young people's welfare are recruited.

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Leadership and management adequate

This home was last inspected in February 2015, where it was found to be inadequate. Compliance notices were issued in respect of five regulations and a further eight requirements were made. This further inspection was therefore conducted to revisit these requirements and conduct a full inspection of the home.

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Leadership and management adequate

This home is managed by an experienced and competent Registered Manager from another home within the company.

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Leadership and management adequate

This manager is providing interim management arrangements for this home in the absence of a Registered Manager, and acting in the capacity of the acting manager. The home is currently identifying a new manager with the intention of them becoming the Registered Manager for the home.

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Leadership and management adequate

The acting manager is providing strong leadership and direction and staff feel motivated and supported. The acting manager has undertaken extensive review of the home and the services that are provided following the last inspection. 9 of 11 Prompt action has been taken to address shortfalls and areas requiring improvement following the last inspection visit. Additional permanent staff have been put into place to supplement the existing staff and establish a stable and consistent staff team. This has been further supported by prompt training, supervision and appraisal for all staff.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff receive regular and targeted supervision focused on their professional development and individual needs. Staff members say that supervision provides them with an opportunity to reflect on their practice, seek guidance and consider their training needs. Staff use supervision effectively to build their confidence and build their professional development.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff commented that the acting manager is providing them with clear direction and guidance, supporting them effectively in their roles and with their responsibilities. Because of this improved leadership, staff are motivated and enthusiastic.

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Leadership and management adequate

Requirements from the last inspection have been fully addressed and in some examples, the manager and staff have undertaken actions that have exceeded the requirements made and taken action in additional areas of practice.

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Leadership and management adequate

Following the last inspection, improvements have also been made to safeguarding procedures, risk assessment, managing complaints, the promotion of health and education. Safeguarding is now robust with clear lines of accountability and reporting. Risk assessments are comprehensive and detailed making clear the risk that is posed to the young person and the action staff undertake to minimise or reduce the risk.

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Leadership and management adequate

Complaints procedures have been reviewed and the new format of reporting and recording complaints provides a clear and detailed account of the complaint, how it is being investigated and the conclusion. This provides young people with an effective and accessible forum in which to make representations or complaints. Greater focus on the promotion of young people's education has resulted through more structured planning and greater liaison between the home and schools.

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Leadership and management adequate

Work has also been undertaken and completed that has improved the environment, the safety and hygiene of the home, along with improved meals and nutrition. As a result, young people live in a very pleasant, well-decorated environment with high quality furnishings, which are kept clean and tidy. Young people enjoy nutritious and healthy food typically home prepared and regularly prepared by the young people.

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Leadership and management adequate

The homes quality assurance practices have been reviewed resulting in effective oversight provided by the acting manager who ensures robust and consistent practice is maintained in all areas. Quality assurance is embedded within the home's day-to- day care for young people with regular review, discussion and evaluation of young people's care each day. Staff performance is further appraised through additional 10 of 11 weekly one-to-one meetings between the staff and the acting manager. This additional tier of quality assurance ensures that any areas for development or shortfalls are picked up immediately and promptly addressed.

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Leadership and management adequate

In addition, review has been undertaken of the external quality assurance functions and a new service has been commissioned to provide this external, objective oversight. This external assessor undertakes monthly visits and comprehensive and detailed reports are produced on the performance of the home and then provided to the acting manager. This ensures detailed oversight of the homes services and performance. Where shortfalls are identified, action plans are presented to the manager, who takes prompt and effective action to address these. These improvements to procedures and practices have significantly enhanced the standards of care and the promotion of the young people's welfare since the last inspection visit. However, these changes have only very recently been put into place and are yet to be fully embedded or a track record of sustained improvement established.

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Leadership and management adequate

The home publishes a comprehensive Statement of Purpose, which details the manner in which the home cares for young people and the services that are provided. Social workers, parents and stakeholders are presented with a copy of the homes Statement of Purpose. Despite many changes in the home, revision of the Statement of Purpose had not taken place for over a year, which is also outside of the homes stated review timescales. In the absence of regular review, the Statement of Purpose may not reflect the manner in which the home is conducted.

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Leadership and management adequate

Significant events relating to the protection of children are notified by the acting manager to the appropriate authorities and prompt action is taken following the event. This demonstrates the home's desire to work in an open and transparent manner with the regulator and placing authorities. 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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