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 last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people enjoy long-term placements at this home. For others, it is for a shorter period, as the registered manager considers that the needs of the young people can no longer be met. The admissions process requires improvement. The registered manager reads the referral document provided by placing authorities and assesses whether the home can meet the needs of the young person. However, she has not put into place a formal process to ask probing questions and assess fully all safeguarding and compatibility issues. There is a risk that young people placed will not have all their needs met. In one case, the registered manager did not formally challenge a placing authority when important safeguarding information became known after a young person was admitted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding professionals train staff in child protection. Some staff have been unwise in gathering information about alleged serious incidents, with their questioning of young people being of an investigative nature, using leading questions. The registered manager was already aware of the inappropriate questioning and has plans in place for staff’s refresher training. A placing social worker said that she was not pleased how staff had handled one event, and had taken this up with the registered manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager notifies other agencies of significant events. However, the notifications are of poor quality. They lack detail on the actual event, who was involved, who else has been notified and what action has been taken. This means that other agencies, including Ofsted, do not have sufficient information to determine if serious incidents are being well managed. There have been no incidents requiring physical intervention since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent visitor provides a monthly report on the home. She sends the reports regularly to Ofsted, as required at the last inspection. The registered manager does not discuss differences of opinion with the independent visitor, such as the current level of risk of child sexual exploitation. The independent visitor does not make a judgement on how effectively the staff are safeguarding young people from these risks. The registered manager does not have a ‘joined-up’ approach to managing risk. The registered manager has a pragmatic approach to the use of smartphones and other electronic devices. She is keen that young people have the same access to the cyber world as their non-looked after peers do. Young people sign a ‘stay safe’ agreement about appropriate use of such devices. This does not detail any consequences in the event of inappropriate use. Examples were noted of a young person sharing an inappropriate image on social media with no consequence and of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people continuing to have an excessive number of ‘friends’ whom they have never met. There is a risk that young people do not take responsibility for their behaviour and see no reason to change it.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager works well with other professionals, such as the substance misuse team. When young people do not want to engage one to one with a team member, she invites a representative of the substance misuse team to house meetings, at which support and advice are given. All young people are in education. Staff have good dialogue and contact with the school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have a voice. Staff encourage them to use the complaints system, if necessary. Young people are confident that staff thoroughly address their issues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has met the previous requirements. Staff give young people advice on healthy eating, and the registered manager has updated the statement of purpose and referred to the children’s commissioner in the young people’s guide.

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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 31/08/2016 Full Good 18/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/10/2015 Full Good 22/01/2015 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met

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Requirement Due date

Challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5(c)) 06/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered person is required to ensure that children: receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14(1)(a)) 06/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person is required to: ensure that staff understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(v)) 06/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the independent person’s report sets out the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 44(4)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This is especially children at risk of child sexual exploitation. 06/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that notifications of serious events include details of the matter, the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified, and any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter. (Regulation 40(5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)) 06/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person is required to: use monitoring systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(2)(h)) 06/02/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Review the arrangements in relation to dealing with e-safety, especially review the ‘stay safe’ plan, and consider possible sanctions for misuse of social media. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.19)

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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 0300 123 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, work- based 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

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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