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

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no young people move out or into the home since the last inspection. Young people living in the home have developed more positive relationships with each other and they enjoy spending some time with each other. While there are some arguments at times these are not long and drawn out as staff use mediation techniques to bring matters to a conclusion swiftly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The relationships between young people and staff remain of a very good quality. One young person articulated thoughtfully how she saw one member of staff as a father figure. Other members of staff were equally commended because the young people have a strong sense that staff genuinely care about them. Young people confide in staff, even when they have done something they should not have, this shows that they know staff listen to them and that they trust staff to help them to tackle their problems.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have recently struggled in their educational attendance. Staff have been proactive with schools in negotiating a young person’s return to school. Early signs are that young people are engaging better with their education, in part due to the incentives provided to them. Some say they really want to do well in their work and are determined to complete their course as they realise that this has an impact on their future prospects.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While young people continue to take part in some risky behaviours, the frequency of these for all has reduced significantly since they came to live in the home. For example, young people who were previously often missing now only go missing or absent from care infrequently. Incidents of self-harm have also significantly reduced. These reductions are a strong indication that young people feel settled and cared for, have a good sense of belonging and are learning to deal with their complex emotions more effectively. While behaviour is being managed effectively and sanctions and physical interventions are only used in appropriate circumstances the records of these occasions do not include confirmation that the people involved, including the child, have been spoken to after the event. Young people are supported well to keep in contact with their parents or brothers and sisters. The staff pay a big part in these arrangements and ensure that they

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

are safe for all concerned. Staff are aware of the emotional impact contact can have on young people and support young people to understand and deal with their emotions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is managed effectively by a manager whose application to register with Ofsted is being progressed. She demonstrates a high level of commitment to and knowledge of the young people and their needs and is ably supported by a stable staff team who the young people know well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring of the work is carried out by the manager, whose six-monthly report is due at the end of February. The reports of visits carried out by an independent person have not always been forwarded to HMCI or have been forwarded after a significant gap. This means that the regulator has not been able to maintain a clear oversight of the quality of care between inspections.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has addressed the requirement and recommendations made at the previous full inspection and this means that: the home is providing care based on up-to-date local authority care plans; social workers and staff have agreements about what the staff can agree to without recourse to the social worker, such as young people having sleepovers with friends; most staff are up to date with training including preventing child sexual exploitation and dealing with bullying; the checks on the premises ensure that all fire safety measures are effective and well maintained. There is not a record of the rational for the use window restrictors on some of the young people’s bedrooms to show that the use of these is needed for safeguarding reasons.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to accommodate up to four young people. It is registered to provide care and accommodation to young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is a privately owned home. The organisation is registered to provide education as part of the care package.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

22/01/2015 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

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI (Regulation 44 (1) (7) (a). With reference to ensuring that all reports are forwarded by the independent visitor to HMCI in a timely way. 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 48 hours of the use of a measure of control, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”) has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, 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) (b) (i) (ii) and (c)) 31/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them with specific reference to reviewing the use of window restraints. (Quality Standard 9.5, page 41)

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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

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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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