Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC062317 1 SC062317

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Benjamin Uk Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children‘s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for 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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This monitoring visit

An interim inspection of the home took place on 26 March 2018. The home was judged to have declined in effectiveness. Because of this and the serious shortfalls identified, including safeguarding concerns, a suspension notice was issued on 28 March 2018. This action resulted in the current young people moving to alternative placements. At that inspection, 10 requirements were made. The date set for meeting these requirements is 31 May 2018. The focus of this monitoring visit was to assess compliance with the suspension notice and to monitor the progress made in meeting the requirements.

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This monitoring visit

In response to the interim inspection, the responsible individual, on behalf of the provider, has taken full responsibility for the judgement. She has focused her full attention on identifying and understanding what went wrong. This has included carrying out a full review of all of the systems within the organisation and putting together an action plan to address the shortfalls identified. This has already led to some positive developments; for example, improved training for middle managers, changes to practice and redrafted policies and procedures. The progress made by the responsible individual is realistic given the timescales.

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This monitoring visit

Committed to ensuring that these developments lead to improved practice, further work is planned by the responsible individual. While the shortfalls identified relate specifically to this home, the wider impact on the organisation is positive. This review and action plan is being extended to include all of the provider‘s other children‘s homes. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC062317 2 The provider has complied with the suspension notice and is making realistic progress against the 10 requirements which have not yet expired.

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(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii))

Previous shortfalls included the failure to ensure that the staff understand and deliver care in line with the home‘s statement of purpose. As well as training the staff, the responsible individual has reviewed the statement of purpose and updated the list of needs that can be met. Using the model of care as a basis, along with current research, the responsible individual has carefully considered the type of needs that respond best to this, for example children with high-function attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

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(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii))

The responsible individual also plans to hold training sessions with the staff specifically on helping them to understand the overall aims and objectives and values outlined in the statement of purpose.

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The protection of children standard (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i))

Previous shortfalls included the failure to put risk assessments in place, specifically in relation to a new admission. However, the responsible individual was aware that one had been undertaken and was in place at the time of the inspection. Following investigations into this, it transpired that a newly appointed senior manager had confused two documents and had been updating the wrong one. Despite this, the responsible individual has still addressed this shortfall.

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The protection of children standard (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i))

A large part of the action plan focuses on risk generally; this includes teaching managers how to carry out risk assessments. Having identified that at times managers based their rating of risk on their ‗gut instinct‘, the aim is to train them to base this on evidence that will be kept under constant review. Further focus will be on ensuring that risk reduction methods are in place and that all staff know and understand them.

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The care planning standard (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a))

Previous shortfalls included failing to ensure that the staff team could meet the individual and complex needs of the new admission, along with ensuring that children‘s care is effectively planned for and that they have a positive experience of moving into the home. In response to this, the responsible individual has devised a new placement checklist to keep track of what tasks need doing, including chasing the local authority for the relevant documentation. A new referral log will capture the manager‘s decision-making process, cross-reference to other key plans and keep everything in one place. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC062317 3

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Appointment of a manager (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(2)(a)(b))

Previous shortfalls included insufficient management arrangements. This was specifically in relation to the absence of a registered manager and a high number of interim managers since the last inspection. The responsible individual has identified a manager within the organisation who she is confident has the relevant background and experience to provide the continuity that the staff team need.

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Appointment of a manager (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(2)(a)(b))

This manager is currently in the process of applying to Ofsted to become the registered manager and if successful, will be transferred to continue the work that the responsible individual has started. The responsible individual also has plans in place to ensure that he receives sufficient induction, training and handover to prevent a reoccurrence of past failings.

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Staff qualifications (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b)(6)(a)(b))

Previous shortfalls included failing to provide a consistent and suitably trained workforce. In order to address this shortfall, the responsible individual is heavily investing in training the staff and managers across the organisation in safeguarding and risk management. Having also identified that the staff have not always been able to connect how the training they receive links to the underpinning model and ethos, further work is being done to strengthen this. Training programmes will also allow senior managers to check competency to ensure that the staff are suitably trained.

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Staff qualifications (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b)(6)(a)(b))

The responsible individual was able to provide accurate information on the relevant qualification status for each individual member of staff and is working hard to ensure that staff receive the support they need to complete the award in a timely manner.

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Induction (Regulation 33 (1)(a))

Previous shortfalls included the failure to provide the newly appointed manager with an induction, training or handover. However, the responsible individual felt that there was a good system in place, which the manager had benefited from. This included spending time at head office receiving training and completing a workbook. Acknowledging the difference in opinion, the responsible individual unpicked this further and identified that there was a disparity between what staff and managers felt was an induction and what was delivered.

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Induction (Regulation 33 (1)(a))

Work is now under way to address this. This includes ensuring that there is sufficient information about the different roles and tasks, a checklist of what needs to be covered with timescales and a revised training programme. It will also contain insight into emotional trauma to help the staff understand the complex nature of the children they work with. Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC062317 4

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Case records (Regulation 36 (1)(a))

Previous shortfalls included the failure to ensure that the relevant documentation from the placing authority was obtained, leading to poor care planning. The responsible individual acknowledges that this is work in progress and that managers need to demonstrate that they have been robust in their challenge to relevant professionals to obtain these plans.

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Records (Regulation 37 (1)(2)(a)(b))

Previous shortfalls included the failure to ensure that the register of children is accurately filled in and that all of the required information is recorded. Improved systems are being designed.

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Review of quality of care (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(4)(a)(b)(5))

Previous shortfalls included the failure to provide an accurate review of the home that could have identified and addressed the concerns raised. The responsible individual is in the process of looking at a system that will provide the oversight and scrutiny of the quality of care required. Recognising that current reports are more descriptive in nature, her aim is to improve the managers‘ monitoring and evaluation process and link them clearly to action plans that help develop the service.

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Supervision (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

Previous shortfalls included the failure to provide frequent supervision for the staff and managers. In order to monitor this more closely, the responsible individual has designed a system that will allow her to see that meetings are taking place regularly. Managers will send a weekly update to her with the copy date of the meeting and the signatures of the staff involved. Once in post, the registered manager will have oversight of this, along with other senior managers in the organisation.

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Conclusion

On behalf of the provider, the responsible individual demonstrates a timely and realistic response. No young people have lived at the home since the suspension notice was issued and progress has been made towards meeting the 10 requirements. A further monitoring visit will be conducted, from which Ofsted will judge whether the requirements have been met and review the suspension notice.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/03/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 17/05/2017 Full Good 09/01/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 18/05/2016 Full Requires improvement Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC062317 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children‘s home‘s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children‘s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home‘s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home‘s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child‘s welfare. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)) 31/05/2018

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child‘s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)) 31/05/2018

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children‘s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from 31/05/2018 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC062317 6 the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home‘s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)) The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children‘s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

the registered provider— is an organisation or a partnership; does not satisfy regulation 28; or is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home. If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of— the name of the person so appointed; and the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(2)(a)(b)) 31/05/2018

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (―the Level 3 Diploma‖); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. 31/05/2018 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC062317 7 The registered person may defer the relevant date if the individual—

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Requirement Due date

does not work, or has not worked, in a care role in a home for a prolonged period; or

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Requirement Due date

works, or has worked, in a care role in a home on a part- time basis. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b)(6)(a)(b)) The registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)) 31/05/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (―case records‖) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)) 31/05/2018

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children‘s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37 (1)(2)(a)(b)) 31/05/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (―a quality of care review―) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children‘s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person 31/05/2018 Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC062317 8 intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (―the quality of care review report‖).

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(4)(a)(b)(5)) The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 31/05/2018

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children‘s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Church Farm House, Station Road, Aldbury, Tring HP23 5RS

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Claudette Deysel

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Inspector:

Amanda Harvey, social care inspector Inspection report for children‘s home – monitoring visit: SC062317 9 to 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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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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

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