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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager went on maternity leave in July 2016 and this has subsequently left the home without a registered manager for more than 26 weeks. Managers and senior managers have been overseeing the home during this time, and the organisation took the decision in recent weeks to move a manager from another of its homes to take the responsibility of acting manager. She has confirmed that she is going to apply for registration. Prior to the acting manager taking this position, there has been a lack of consistency and support for the staff team. Staff felt that the lack of support during this period had resulted in low morale and staff leaving the organisation. Since the last inspection only two permanent members of staff remain, with one of these being employed part time. This high turnover means that young people have been unable to form meaningful relationships with these adults. The acting manager has begun to focus on team

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

working and building relationships with the young people. This is still not fully embedded in practice and remains work in progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The progress and experiences of young people since the last inspection have been hindered by a high number of admissions and discharges. Since the last inspection in May 2016, the home has experienced eight young people leaving the home and nine new admissions. None of the young people who were in placement at the time of the last inspection remain living in the home. A number of admissions have been made on an emergency basis when there was a lack of permanent staff in post and a high number of new staff; the workforce was unable to provide continuity of care. These poor admission decisions have contributed to young people not being effectively supported, not settling into the home and subsequently moving after a short period. This is detrimental to their experience of being in care because it compounds their attachment difficulties. Clear boundaries have not been sustained in this period. Since the last inspection there have been 145 incidents of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The acting manager recognises the areas of weakness and is working with the staff team to identify how to improve practice and change the culture in the home. However, training on the principles of attachment disorder has yet to take place. This was postponed due to the need to have training specific to meet the needs of one newly admitted young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people currently in placement are beginning on the journey of reflecting on the impact of their behaviours. The frequency of key-worker sessions has increased, with staff now discussing behaviours and providing support when behaviours have been perceived as bullying. In recent weeks the number of incidents has started to decrease. Records following any physical interventions and sanctions now detail de-briefs with the young people. These are detailed and enable the managers to look at triggers for incidents. A placing social worker and parent commented that children have begun to settle in placement and that they are starting to see progress in some of their behaviours. However, some young people continue to place themselves at risk and engage in risk-taking behaviours such as going missing from care. Ofsted have received a high number of notifications since May where young people have placed themselves at risk of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

harm. The staff in the home are working with professionals, including the local neighbourhood police, and with the young people to enable a reduction in these behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are receiving insufficient educational input. One young person is registered with the organisation’s college and another is still enrolled at a school in his local authority although not attending. The staff have been chasing educational arrangements with the placing authorities and are in contact with the virtual school head. Staff have been trying to ensure that young people are engaged in educational activities and have recognised that incidents have decreased when they are occupied in this way. However, the staff have not obtained previous school reports nor contacted previous school placements to determine at what level each young person is academically to enable them to tailor activities and work accordingly. Too much time during the school day is spent on looking at independence skills, resulting in young people falling further behind peers while missing formal education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, risk assessments and care planning for young people have been reviewed. Referral information is now incorporated into these documents. They are comprehensive and give staff sufficient information to enable them to care for the young people safely. It is now clear in care planning when health appointments are to be booked and when they have taken place. This ensures that they are not being overlooked.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monthly monitoring reports are undertaken by an independent visitor. Senior managers have recognised the need for these visits to be strengthened. They have recently employed a new organisation to undertake these visits. Some disclosure information for some of these staff has been gained. However, there is no confirmation from the organisation that all the relevant checks have been completed on all the visitors. The expectation is that these visitors interview young people, therefore the managers need to be certain that all the necessary recruitment checks have been carried out. There is now a six-monthly review in operation to ensure that trends and patterns are being fully evaluated; young people’s views are also considered in the review process. Monitoring is now more thorough and effective in highlighting areas that need improving, and the information gathered is beginning to be used to improve the quality of care

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home works effectively in partnership with external agencies, such as health services and youth offending services, and with parents. Allegations, or suspicions of harm, are promptly shared with external safeguarding agencies for consultation, and appropriate action is taken. Any recommendations following internal investigations are now being promptly shared. Significant events relating to the safety and welfare of young people have been notified to Ofsted appropriately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Health and safety arrangements have been reviewed. The fire evacuation plan now details what action to take when the external doors are locked at night, and is accessible to staff and young people. This enables everyone to know what to do in the event of an emergency. The location assessment has been updated. However, some information is not comprehensive, and there is limited consultation with professionals to determine if the location is suitable. This needs to be further strengthened to evaluate whether placements are suitable in terms of location of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the new acting manager has been in post she has begun to evaluate the current level of service and is planning ahead for further developments. Young people live in a well-maintained environment. The staff have supported young people to have the opportunity to invest in the home and personalise it. Maintenance work has been carried out as required and, given the recent damage to the home, the home is in a good state of repair.

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is registered to take up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural 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 18/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 05/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/05/2015 Full Requires improvement 10/02/2015 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

6. The quality and purpose of care standard In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person must ensure that (1) children receive care from staff who: (a) understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children (b) use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. In particular, do not admit children into an unsettled home which makes subsequent placement breakdown a likely outcome. 31/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

8. The education standard In order to meet the education standard, the registered person must ensure: (2)(a)(i) that staff help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans (iv) that staff help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment. 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must: (2)(d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child

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Requirement Due date

(e) ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. This specifically relates to considering the home’s workforce when decisions are made on new admissions.

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Requirement Due date

(f) understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality 28/02/2017 of care provided in the home. The registered person may only employ an individual to work at the children's home; or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). This specifically relates to the independent visitors. (3) The requirements are that: (a) the individual is of integrity and good character (b) the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform (c) the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of

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Requirement Due date

the work that the individual is to perform (d) full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32(2)(b)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d)) 28/02/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Revise the location assessment to ensure that the review includes comprehensive identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location, and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  Ensure that staff can support and meet each child's needs. In particular, they should undertake training in attachment disorders. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.5)

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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 that 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

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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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