Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC067757 1 SC067757 Registered provider: Benjamin UK Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned and managed by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for four children aged between 12 and 18 years. There has been no registered manager since September 2017. An application to register the current manager is in progress.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

It was judged that this home requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained that level of effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were six requirements and five recommendations arising from the last inspection. The home’s manager has carefully considered and reviewed these and considerable progress has been made. The requirements that were made have been addressed with the exception of the requirement relating to the assessment of risk to the young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The first requirement, which related to ensuring that staff promote the welfare of young people, has been met. Staff have undertaken specific training in relation to their roles in the protection of young people, conflict management and bullying, and this has resulted in improved and trusting relationships between staff and young people, and in particular an improved sense of safety and trust on the part of the young people themselves. Inspection report children’s home: SC067757 2 The second requirement related to the identification and assessment of the risk of harm to each young person, in particular identification of the strategies to be employed by staff in order to reduce such risk.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have detailed risk assessments in place outlining the strategies to be used to reduce the identified risks. However, the risk assessments do not clearly identify all of the known risks posed to young people and, therefore, the requirement is not met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The third requirement related in particular to the lack of understanding on the part of some staff of the ethos and values outlined in the statement of purpose and a corresponding failure to undertake key working with young people in accordance with them. Managers have ensured that staff have received the appropriate training and support, and that they carefully monitor the experiences and outcomes achieved by young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The fourth requirement related to the lack of a registered manager in the home. The home has been without a registered manager since September 2017. The manager appointed in November 2017, who was present at the last inspection, has since left, and a new manager has been appointed. A registered manager application has been submitted.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The fifth requirement related to the recruitment of staff, in particular the lack of detail in the recording of interviews and ensuring that checks undertaken are thorough enough to conclusively establish that those who are employed to work with children and young people are fit to do so. Two staff members have been employed since the last inspection, and the recruitment processes have been thorough.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The sixth requirement related to ensuring that HMCI is notified of significant events which occur in the home. The manager has ensured that all such events are notified in sufficient detail and in a timely manner.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, two recommendations were made in relation to the supervision of staff. One related specifically to enabling staff to reflect on how their own feelings and behaviour are affected by the young people, and the second recommendation related to keeping appropriate records of staff supervision meetings. Managers have ensured that staff are supported to discuss the impact which young people have on their feelings and behaviour, resulting in enhanced awareness of their professionalism and the impact of their own responses on young people. However, managers have not taken steps to improve the quality of the recording of supervision meetings, and, therefore, the second recommendation is not met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The third recommendation in relation to bullying has been met. Bullying has been a focus, and managers have ensured that staff have the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to bullying. This has been explored further during direct work with young people, using a range of online materials to underpin the anti-bullying ethos. Staff have intervened when they have observed bullying behaviours, and a record is maintained, which details such incidents and the key-work sessions which have followed. Inspection report children’s home: SC067757 3 The fourth recommendation related to the staff skills and knowledge in recognising signs that a young person may be at risk of harm. Staff have not recognised all known risks, including exposure to gang and county line exploitation. The provider has employed a specialist professional to support staff and young people, although the specific training of staff has not yet taken place; therefore this recommendation has been repeated.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The fifth recommendation related to the impact which young people coming into the home may have on other young people. One young person has moved into the home since the last inspection. The manager carried out a thorough evaluation of the effect of known risks to the young person. The local authority placing officer commented positively on the quality of this assessment, and on how staff have utilised the strategies outlined in order to keep the young person safe.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good progress towards their agreed goals. They have strong and often nurturing relationships with a staff team that demonstrates a good understanding of young people’s individual needs. Staff work closely with partner agencies, such as social workers and education providers, to help provide individualised care that meets these needs.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people who live in the home attend education as planned. Staff remain in contact with education staff to ensure that young people are coping, particularly those who have moved on to alternative supportive education. Any concerns are swiftly noted, and staff arrange for extra support where possible, and spend time with young people, helping them to understand how they can manage themselves in their education placement.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is an ethos of recognising accomplishments. Staff show genuine pride in young people and praise them for their achievements. Young people are consulted about how the service is run during house meetings, and requests are actioned or explanations given to them if it is not possible to act on their request. The views of young people are valued. Young people spoken to reported that they feel that staff listen to them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person said, ‘I know when I am ready I will need to move on, but I wish I could live here for ever.’

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/04/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/05/2017 Full Good 11/01/2017 Full Good 27/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC067757 4

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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

12: The protection of children standard The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff ─ 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; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm and take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)(vi)) 30/11/2018

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Recommendations

 A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3)  Staff need the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed and recorded in the homes workforce plan. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12)

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Information about this inspection

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 Inspection report children’s home: SC067757 5 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: 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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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Post vacant Christian Davies

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Inspectors

Jacqueline Georghiou, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC067757 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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