Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Buckinghamshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A monitoring visit was carried out by Ofsted in August 2015 following neighbour complaints about disruptive behaviour and noise over a long period. It was concluded that disruptive incidents in the community that could be directly linked to the residents of the home were attributed to admission planning. A recommendation was made that consideration is given, before admission, to how well the young person will fit into the local community. For the most recent arrival this aspect was not assessed. Since the last inspection there have been a number of young people who have moved in and left the home. Some have been admitted from one of the organisation‟s other homes as part of a respite arrangement and some as an emergency placement. In some cases young people have had unplanned moves due to safety or safeguarding concerns. While the home‟s Statement of Purpose details that the home covers a range of situations that placements may be

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

accepted under at the monitoring visit it was advised that this is closely reviewed and the compatibility of young people across the homes is considered. There has been a decline in complaints from the local community over the past weeks. The manager and representatives from the community have agreed to attend mediation to help the situation to move forward. The support from staff and the other young people to help those newly admitted to settle is good. They are welcomed and helped to feel as comfortable as is possible. A young person who moved in recently has settled well despite him having been worried about going to live there. He said he likes it and had been made to feel welcome. Young people‟s relationships with staff are overall good. Young people like the staff and staff work hard to develop good relationships with them. Young people encourage and show concern for each other and have developed, in the

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

main, positive relationships. Of the four young people currently living in the home three have part-time educational placements and the arrangements for the new arrival are being assessed. None of the young people have the recommended minimum 25 hours a week education. During the day of inspection young people were up, breakfasted and dressed but three of the young people spent the morning talking to staff and were not engaged in purposeful educational activities; learning was not being promoted. Young people spoken to varied in their view about the benefits of education. For example the young person who was not in education was keen to commence back at school, another young person identified that part time attendance at college suited him as he cannot see the point of an education. Staff are not supporting young people effectively to engage fully in education and develop the ambition to achieve in their educational endeavours.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who come to live in the home have difficult histories and have associated trauma related to this. The working relationships between staff and agencies that support young people‟s emotional health are well-established. Young people have access to professional help and support to help them overcome their emotional turmoil. A worker from the child and adolescent mental health service said when young people struggle „staff are resilient… they remain calm, appropriate and really supportive.‟ The home also has access to the organisation‟s therapy service. This is available to staff for consultation and to the young people should they choose to engage with it. The home arranges a range of activities that young people take part in and enjoy out of school hours. They participate in group activities such as going to the cinema and playing pool at a local hall and can follow individual interests such as

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

boxing and fishing. The activity programme helps to divert young people from temptations within the community. The activity diversion programme and an incentive scheme form the basis for the management of behaviour. At times young people need to be restrained for their or others‟ safety and these holds are carried out appropriately. Records are made and maintained of such incidents but it is not recorded that the authorised person has spoken to the young person about the incident. In one case the recording of a keywork discussion about a restraint could not be found so it was not evident if the young person had the opportunity to discuss his feelings about the incident. Young people have been reported missing on 37 occasions since the last inspection carried out in May 2015. However the majority of these have been absences under two hours in duration so technically young people have not been missing. The

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

reporting to police had been robust due to some recent concerns about risks from some undesirable people who had been in the local neighbourhood. The manager leads and supports the staff members in their roles. However, she was absent from the home in excess of 28 days and Ofsted was not informed of this or of the arrangements of the management of the home in her absence. Internal monitoring of the home and the findings from complaints from professionals are used to improve practice. The home has an independent visitor who scrutinises the work of the home on a monthly basis. The reports generated are descriptive and do not show that the work of the home has been robustly challenged and scrutinised. Additionally, not all reports of visits carried out have been forwarded to Ofsted in a timely way. The responsible individual had identified these issues and is investigating using an alternative source to carry out these

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

visits. A requirement made at the last inspection in relation to staff recruitment has been addressed and this means it is better assured that people working in the home are suitable people to be working with the young people When there is a significant incident the staff notify all relevant people, including the regulator, and take action to make sure that young people are safeguarded. However, one notification that related to a serious incident was only notified to Ofsted after a significant delay. This meant that Ofsted was not able to ensure that all had been done to safeguard young people as the situation unfolded. The home has a Statement of Purpose that underpins the work carried out. This has been improved in line with a requirement made at the last inspection but it still does not include all required information to provide interested parties with all relevant information.

p.4

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.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

10/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.5

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.

p.6

Behaviour management policies and records

Ensure within five days of the use of a measure of control. Discipline or restraint the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3) (c)) 11/03/2016

p.7

Independent person: visits and reports

44.—(1) The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children‟s home at least once each month. (3) The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether— (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. (5) The independent person‟s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (7) The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person‟s report to— (a) HMCI; (b) upon request, the local authority for the area in which the home is located; (c) the placing authorities of children; (d) the registered provider and, if applicable, the registered manager; and (e) the responsible individual (if one is nominated).

p.7

Notification of a serious event

40-(4) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— (a) a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; (c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; (d) a child protection enquiry involving a child — (i) is instigated; or (ii) concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or (e) there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. 11/03/2016

p.7

Notification of a serious event

Notice of absence 26/02/2016 48.—(1) If the person who is in day-to-day charge of the children‟s home proposes to be absent from the home for a continuous period of 28 days or more, the registered person must give notice in writing to HMCI of the proposed absence. (2) Except in the case of an emergency or unforeseen absence, a notice under paragraph (1) must— (a) be given no later than one month before the proposed absence commences, or within such shorter period as may be agreed with HMCI; and (b) specify with respect to the proposed absence— (i) its length or expected length; (ii) the reason for it; (iii) the arrangements which have been made for running the home during the absence; (iv) the address, name and qualifications of the person who will be responsible for the home during the absence; and (v) in the case of the absence of the registered manager, the arrangements that have been, or are proposed to be, made for

p.7

Notification of a serious event

appointing another person to manage the home during the absence, including the proposed date by which the appointment is to be made. (3) If the absence arises as a result of an emergency or is unforeseen, the registered person must give notice of the absence— (a) within one week of the beginning of the absence; and (b) specifying the matters in paragraph (2)(b). (4) If the notice required under paragraph (2) or (3) has not been given as required, it must be given without delay. (5) The registered person must notify HMCI of the return to duty of the person in day-to-day charge of the home not later than 7 days after the date of that person‟s return.

p.8

Statement of purpose

16.—(1) 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. 11/03/2016

p.8

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): Managers should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming, supportive and provides appropriate boundaries in relation to behaviour. In particular seek to assess prior to admission so that plans are in place which establish young people as welcome in their community. Do not admit young people for whom this looks unachievable. (Guide to Children‟s Homes Regulations 3.7, p.15)

p.8

Recommendations

 Where children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on a school roll for some other reason, the registered person and staff must work closely with the placing authority so that the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. In the interim, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. If no education place is identified by the placing authority, the registered person must challenge them to meet the child‟s needs under regulation 5 (engaging with the wider system to ensure children‟s needs are met). (Guide to Children‟s Homes Regulations 5.15, p.27)

p.9

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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 .

p.10

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,

p.11

Information about this inspection

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

p.11

Information about this inspection

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

p.11

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

p.11