Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Bedford

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children continue to make progress since the last inspection. They attend activities in the community, with support from the staff, to help them to integrate with their peers. The children have built good relationships with a stable team of staff who understand their individual complex needs. A social worker commented, ‘He has had the opportunity to build positive relationships with the staff, which has helped him feel settled and cared for.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been in post since November 2016 and has recently been registered with Ofsted. Prior to becoming the manager, she was the deputy manager, and this means that there was continuity for both children and staff. She has the experience to manage the home and is currently undertaking her Level 5 qualification.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There was one requirement and one recommendation from the last inspection, which have both been met.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of the children attending education. Two of the children are currently attending mainstream schools full time. The staff have regular contact with schools to ensure that they know what educational attainment children are working towards. This ensures that children are fully supported. Two of the children are attending home tuition provided by the company’s own education provision. A social worker commented, ‘Although he is not fully engaged with education yet it is a vast improvement on his previous attendance, which is excellent.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child recently moved to a local sister home at his request. He was able to meet with senior managers to explain why he wanted to move. This shows that the staff listen to children’s wishes and feelings. He had a planned move, which included overnights stays before moving in.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two admissions to the home since the last inspection. Due to the circumstances, both admissions were completed quickly, and the children did not have the opportunity to visit beforehand. A social worker commented, ‘He had to move the same day. He arrived with nothing and staff immediately ensured he had everything he needed. This helped him build relationships and feel cared for straight away.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children engage in regular key-work sessions. There is a monthly topic, as well as sessions about the individual needs of the children. These are detailed and informative. However, the children do not sign to show that they have understood or agreed with the actions. Equally, there is no evidence that the children comment or sign records after an incident.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of the children developing their independence in line with their age, understanding, ability and level of risk. One child is now able to budget their money, go shopping and cook his meals. The staff report that he has become more confident. Another child, with consultation with the social worker, is being supported to access the internet to assist him in understanding the risks and how to keep himself safe. This shows that the staff are not risk averse and understand that the children need to learn to keep themselves safe.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been 34 sanctions, which are fair, proportionate, and evaluated by the manager. The children have the opportunity to comment and sign these. There have been 37 rewards; the staff understand the importance of recognising children’s achievements. The children comment and sign these, and the manager makes comments when needed. This shows the children that the staff value and recognise their achievements.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff complete informative weekly summaries covering all aspects of the children’s week; this includes rewards and sanctions, and the targets that are set are sent to the social workers. A social worker commented, ‘Weekly reports are informative and give me a good insight into his behaviours and progress.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been three complaints since the last inspection. One was from a parent, which was resolved within the appropriate timescale. Two were from neighbours and related to the children entering their gardens or being in the local cemetery. The manager has maintained the good rapport with the neighbours and the village councillors that the previous manager built. There is clear evidence that any concerns are discussed before they become an issue.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidents of bullying since the last inspection. The staff are aware that the group dynamics have changed following two new admissions. A chronology of behaviours is kept to ensure that bullying behaviour does not happen. This shows that the staff are proactive in ensuring that any suspicions of bullying behaviour are dealt with before it becomes an issue.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are clear risk assessments in place to support the staff in working with and keeping the children safe. There is also a colour-coded version for the agency and bank staff to read which gives them a quick overall view of each child’s individual risks on a need-to-know basis. The children have individualised placement plans that support the staff working with them effectively. The staff regularly review and amend these with the children, using a more child-friendly version, along with their health plans. Children have the opportunity to sign and comment their plans. This shows that the children understand and can engage with their plans. These are then taken into the staff meeting for the staff to discuss and ensure that they are updated regarding any changes.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager monitors the care practice in the home to evaluate children’s progression in all aspects of their lives.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been 12 incidents of physical interventions since the last inspection. These are low level and used as a last resort. However, the children are not always debriefed after an incident and are not always given the opportunity to comment or sign to say that they understand why they were held.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been six incidents of children going missing since the last inspection. The staff work closely with the missing person’s team, and the manager will inform them of children moving to and leaving the home. The staff and the missing person’s team share soft intelligence to support keeping the children safe. The children receive key-work sessions when they have returned. The staff talk to them regarding risks that they may have put themselves in. However, the children do not receive the return to home interviews from an independent person. There is clear evidence that the manager has requested this from social workers and team managers.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is situated in well-maintained grounds in a rural location. It is clean, tidy, and decorated to a good standard downstairs. A social worker commented, ‘When I visit it always feels warm, nurturing and therapeutic; it has a lovely feel to it.’ The children need to clean their rooms before receiving their pocket money on a Saturday. On the day of the inspection, the majority of children’s rooms were in need of being cleaned and tidied.

p.4

Information about this children's home

This home is privately owned and accommodates up to four children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/08/2016 Full Good 24/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/11/2015 Full Good 20/08/2014 Full Good

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 within the given timescales.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within five working days of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, the registered person or authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. This is in relation to physical interventions. (Regulation 35(3)(c)) 01/05/2017

p.6

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered person must ensure:

p.6

Requirement Due date

(2)(f) that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. 01/05/2017

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

p.6

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.7

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.

p.7

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.7

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.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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.8

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.8