Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Buckinghamshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection the manager has successfully registered with Ofsted; she is suitably experienced and is undertaking the necessary qualification. She understands the strengths of the home and is aware of areas for development. She is presently in the process of identifying areas for improving practice and culture in the home. She has a child-centred approach to management and is involving young people in developments and decision making. In recent months, the management team have focused on meeting the previous requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. The home has undergone a monitoring visit by Ofsted in August 2015 no requirements were made as a result. Since the last full inspection in May 2015, the home has experienced nine young people leaving the home and eight new admissions. None of the young people who were in placement at the time of the last inspection remains living in the home. There was one well-planned positive

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

move back home for one young person. Staff worked collaboratively with the parent and placing authority to ensure the young person was supported and prepared to make this transition. Decisions have been made to end some placements due to the home not being able to meet the young people‟s needs. For other young people agreements were made by their placing authorities to move them on to semi-independence. Staff work with professionals to ensure they have information prior to placement. However, the home has not been proactive in acquiring information from previous placements and there is a reliance on placing authority information in determining if they are able to support a young person. This lack of comprehensive information does not ensure that staff and managers are equipped to make decisions if the placement is suitable for the young person. Since the last inspection, the manager has obtained a copies of the plans for the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

care of young people prepared by the child‟s placing authority, their placement plans and minutes from reviews. When there has been a delay in obtaining review paperwork, staff have noted actions to be taken. It is now possible for staff to monitor the progress young people are making in respect of the plans for them. The three young people currently in placement are benefitting as a result of a nurturing environment with clear boundaries and beginning on the journey of reflecting on the impact of their own behaviours. Incidents of young people placing themselves at risk and engaging in risk taking behaviours such as going missing from care have reduced. Relationships are beginning to develop between young people and staff that enable young people to feel safe and confident while developing a positive self-awareness. This ensures that young people are making progress in their lives while coming to understand the issues relating to their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Independence booklets are now in place for young people who are old enough to undertake the organisations formal independent living plan. The manager has researched outside of the organisation to look at adapting these further to ensure they are as beneficial as possible. At the last inspection, a requirement was made in relation to education for young people. The level of engagement and achievement continues to be variable. Not all of the young people currently in placement attend school or have access to a registered alternative provision. Alternative learning opportunities are being provided by the staff team and a „timetable‟ has been formulated. This however lacks any detail and a large amount of this is „free time.‟ It continues to be the case that staff do not fully recognise the value of education or young people‟s potential and aspirations for future learning. Risk assessment documents have been reviewed and include additional information

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to ensure staff are fully aware of arrangements to reduce any known risks. Key work sessions are now more regular and when an incident occurs staff spend time with young people discussing the impact of behaviours and how this can be reduced. Review processes are now robust and reflect any additional support needs that have been identified. Monthly monitoring reports are undertaken by an independent visitor. This level of monitoring is effectively used by the staff team, ensuring action is taken to address any shortfalls. Although it is clear some internal monthly monitoring takes place by the manager, the information gathered is not well used to improve the quality of care provided. There is not a six monthly review in operation to ensure trends and patterns are being fully evaluated and young people‟s views are not considered in the monthly review process. This means monitoring is not as thorough or

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

purposeful as intended. The home works effectively in partnership with external agencies such as health services and parents. Allegations, or suspicions of harm, are promptly shared with external safeguarding agencies for consultation and appropriate action taken. 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. Since the last inspection, there have been staff changes and vacant positions filled. The management team are aware of the impact of these changes and a focus has been on building new relationships and forming attachments. To begin this process staff have ensured that quality time is spent with young people. Staff are trained in the management and de-escalation of behaviour. Staff use sanctions and physical intervention as a last resort. The bound logs used to record

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

these are inconsistent in detail. Young people‟s views are not always recorded and the effectiveness of sanctions is not detailed. This makes it difficult to monitor and evaluate the appropriateness of measures in operation. Other recordkeeping has improved; information is now recorded objectively and clearly. The home has complied with the requirement made in relation to staff training: staff have undergone training in self harm and other specific training dependant on the young people‟s needs in placement. This has increased staff confidence and awareness of the issues at hand. The manager has now obtained staff training records and booked required training courses. The homes Statement of Purpose is still under review and has yet to be revised to ensure it is individual to the home and not the organisation. The Responsible Individual is currently undertaking this responsibility. When complete this will

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

enable placing authorities and carers to be clear about what the home sets out to achieve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, a requirement was made to improve recruitment processes. The manager confirms that the policy and procedure for the recruitment and vetting of staff has been followed. Files were unavailable at the time of inspection. The manager has audited all recruitment files and is aware that if there are any issues with staff conduct risk assessments will now be implemented. However, although the manager is involved in recruitment she has not attended relevant training to ensure that her skills are up to date and she is kept abreast of best practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, work has been done to evaluate the current level of service and to plan ahead for future developments in the coming year. Staff are genuinely enthusiastic about the care of young people.

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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 one of a group of homes owned and operated by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/05/2015 CH - Full Requires Improvement

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Recent inspection history

10/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the education standard the registered person is required to:

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Requirement Due date

2(a)(iv)(v) ensure that staff help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment and provide opportunities for each child to learn informally. 10/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children‟s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1, in particular ensure it is individual to the children‟s home.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard the registered person is required to:

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Requirement Due date

2(b)(i)(ii) ensure that arrangements are in place for the effective induction of each child into the home and to manage the placement of each child. In particular, ensure all information is gained from other placements and professionals to evaluate if a placement is suitable. 10/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

ensure the volume kept to record any measures of control, restraint or discipline includes all details listed in regulation. (Regulation 35 (3)(c)) 10/02/2016

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Requirement Due date

Establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children and the feedback and opinions of children about the children's home. 10/02/2016 (Regulation 45(2)(a)(b))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure all staff involved in recruitment undertake the necessary training to ensure good employment practice. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61 paragraph 13.1)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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