Children's home run by Benecare Limited in Sevenoaks

Inspection report children’s home: 1225887 1 Registered provider: Benecare Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children aged from eight to 18 years of age, who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection in August 2017, two young people have left this home. One young person achieved the outcome of his care plan, returning home to live with his family. Staff worked with the young person and his family to repair their relationship and to support the family to use similar boundaries to those used in the home, in order to keep the young person safe. This resulted in the young person being able to be reunited with his family in a safe and planned way.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person experienced high levels of anxiety. Staff at the home implemented a safety plan and were able to successfully support the young person through some times of change. However, when a serious incident occurred and a staff member was injured, it was agreed that the young person would live at another home in the organisation. This option had been part of a contingency plan the home had agreed with the young person’s network. Staff from this home continue to support the young person to ensure consistency of care. As a result of the continued support from familiar staff, the young Inspection report children’s home: 1225887 2 person has settled in well and is making progress.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people have joined the home. The registered manager and her team carefully considered the matching process and visited the young people prior to admission to assess their compatibility. Although they are different in age, the young people are both happy living in the home. A social worker for one young person said, ‘The managers have managed to match two young people who, although different in age, are compatible in a way siblings would be.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people at the home are making progress. One young person has significantly reduced her risk-taking behaviour. She said, ‘I used to run away from my last home all the time. The staff here are what [are] making the difference to me. Because they listen to me and help me, I have stopped running away.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Excellent communication with the young people’s networks ensures that agencies are kept up to date with their progress. Regular written updates are provided to social workers. Effective monitoring of the young people’s records ensures that leaders and managers are analysing their progress. Staff use this information to guide their practice. For example, staff identified that one young person found settling at bedtime a challenge. Her plans were adapted to increase support at bedtime and implement a planned, predictable settling routine.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding is a priority in this home. Leaders and managers are committed to supporting the young people while managing any risk. For example, risk was managed for one young person by developing a safety plan which allowed her to visit her family in an area where she was potentially at risk. This is a good example of the registered manager’s willingness to go the extra mile to safeguard the young people.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/07/2017 Full Good 18/10/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/04/2016 Full Requires improvement

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report children’s home: 1225887 3 Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 113a St Johns Hill, Sevenoaks TN13 3PE

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Stephen Richmond

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Inspector

Sarah Olliver, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1225887 4 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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