Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 1 SC438648

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Benecare Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since October 2019.

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This monitoring visit

Following a monitoring visit on the 24 June 2020, nine requirements were made. A restriction of accommodation notice was served on 2 July 2020, and a compliance notice under Regulation 12 was issued on 6 July 2020.

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This monitoring visit

At this monitoring inspection, the inspector checked the provider’s compliance with the restriction notice and assessed the progress made by the provider in meeting the steps of the compliance notice. The provider’s progress in meeting the nine requirements was also explored.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring inspection was conducted off site due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, and no judgement is made. The inspector reviewed documents and conducted telephone interviews with the interim responsible individual and, the deputy manager, in the absence of the manager.

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This monitoring visit

The findings of this inspection have been used to inform Ofsted’s decision to keep the restriction notice in place at this stage. The provider has complied with this notice by not making any further admissions of children.

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This monitoring visit

Following the monitoring visit on 24 June 2020, the responsible individual resigned. The provider’s head of resources has taken on the responsible individual role while recruitment is underway for a permanent replacement. The current manager, Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 2 although not present at this inspection, has made an application to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

The compliance notice under regulation 12 was set out into two separate steps.

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Step One: Compliance notice under Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)

The provider was required to review risk management strategies to reduce the risk of harm to children.

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Step One: Compliance notice under Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)

The manager has conducted a full review of all relevant documentation and this has resulted in improvements to the content and quality of risk management records. Managers and staff have engaged in regular team meetings and supervisions to embed new practice and to review strategies for the one child in placement.

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Step One: Compliance notice under Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)

Senior leaders have become more involved in admissions and referral processes to support managers to make more informed choices about the children they admit to the home. Although no new admissions have occurred, staff are becoming more practised with the process by examining referrals.

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Step One: Compliance notice under Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)

The manager was able to supply all of the risk management records for the current child in placement. Documents reviewed show good correlation between pre- placement risk assessment, current risk assessment and behaviour management plans.

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Step Two: Compliance notice under Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(iii)

The provider was required to conduct a full and thorough review of staff’s skills and competencies in respect of safeguarding.

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Step Two: Compliance notice under Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(iii)

The manager has met with staff to conduct a review of all training requirements. This approach has limited the purpose of the review to that of a training audit. It has resulted in a plan to ensure that safeguarding training is up to date. Staff have also been enrolled on a modular programme which focuses on mental health in children and young people.

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Step Two: Compliance notice under Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(iii)

The manager has updated the team training matrix, which shows an improved compliance rate with mandatory training modules. However, one member of staff who joined the team in June 2020 has significant gaps in core training, including safeguarding children. This raises questions about the quality of induction for new staff. It was also noted that the review has not included the manager.

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Step Two: Compliance notice under Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(iii)

The manager’s training review is a positive step forward. However, a wider organisational response to the request for a thorough skills and competencies review is lacking. As a result of the changes to senior leadership, outlined above, there have been some gaps in the monitoring and oversight at a senior level. Consequently, Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 3 there has not been a wider, more analytical review of the skills and competencies of staff across the provider as a whole. It is still not clear from either the training review or the home’s statement of purpose how the current staff team has the specific qualities required to provide positive outcomes and effective safeguards for children with complex mental health needs.

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Step Two: Compliance notice under Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(iii)

This step is not met. Therefore, overall, the compliance notice is not met. The specific elements of step two will be reissued.

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Restriction of Accommodation Notice:

Following the review of the compliance notice, it was clear that there was insufficient evidence of a thorough review of skills and competencies for all staff. This went hand in hand with concerns about a failure of senior managers within the organisation to take ownership of the concerns raised by Ofsted across the group. It is clear that the manager is working hard to review systems and implement necessary changes but there was little evidence of senior leadership support in this effort. The continuing shortfalls found at this inspection, including the failure to meet the compliance notice, means that the restriction of accommodation notice will not be lifted at this time.

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Regulation 12 (1)(2)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi):

The provider was required to demonstrate that staff understand their roles and responsibilities, take effective action and adhere to organisational policies in relation to safeguarding practice.

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Regulation 12 (1)(2)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi):

The interim responsible individual and manager have worked hard with staff to enhance their understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. Several actions have been taken to enhance knowledge and skills in this area. Staff have been encouraged to reflect on previous incidents in the home and work through hypothetical scenarios to explore a range of safeguarding issues. Team and supervision meetings have been used to review current safeguarding policies and procedures. Staff have signed off policy documents to evidence that they have read these.

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Regulation 12 (1)(2)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi):

Staff have also worked on a dedicated safeguarding noticeboard in the staff office, which provides quick reference to reporting flow charts, signs and indicators of abuse and organisational policy.

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Regulation 12 (1)(2)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi):

Although some progress is being made, the provider has not fully grasped the need to fully explore and understand each staff member’s individual knowledge, skills and competencies in respect of their safeguarding practice, including those of the manager. The need to complete a thorough review of staff’s safeguarding skills and competencies was a targeted step from the compliance notice issued under this regulation. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 4 Consequently, this aspect of the requirement remains unmet and will be reissued as a compliance notice.

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Regulation 20 (2):

The provider was required to demonstrate that restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate.

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Regulation 20 (2):

The manager has reviewed restrictive practice with staff and put a much greater emphasis on post-incident reflection and debriefing. The manager has made several updates to relevant policies and practice guidance. Staff will also be undertaking enhanced team teach training to ensure that they are able to demonstrate good practice.

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Regulation 20 (2):

At present, the current child in placement has not required the staff’s use of physical intervention.

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Regulation 20 (2):

This requirement could not be fully explored without relevant practice examples to review. It is therefore repeated for review at the next inspection.

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Regulation 32 (1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d):

The provider was required to recruit staff, using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Regulation 32 (1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d):

The acting responsible individual supplied two samples of staff recruitment checks. One member of staff only had one reference, because one referee had refused to supply a reference due to the applicant’s short time in service. It was not evident from the records made available that an alternative referee was sought. Consequently, this member of staff’s recruitment evidence is not compliant with regulation 32.

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Regulation 32 (1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d):

This requirement is not met and is therefore repeated.

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Regulation 16 (1)(5):

The provider was required to complete a review of the statement of purpose.

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Regulation 16 (1)(5):

The manager had reviewed the statement of purpose. However, the review failed to address the issues raised at the last monitoring inspection. Within this document, the provider states that there is a therapeutic ethos that informs practice. There is no detail as to what this means, and the staff section still does not provide clarity about how the staff team has the experience and knowledge to work with children with mental health issues.

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Regulation 16 (1)(5):

The section on children who can be accommodated states: ‘children with emotional and behavioural difficulties’. This is contrary to the actual presenting needs of children who have recently moved into the home. As a result, the current statement Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 5 of purpose is inaccurate and fails to describe how the current staff team is able to meet the needs of children with significant mental health needs.

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Regulation 16 (1)(5):

The statement of purpose also contains references to previous senior staff who no longer work for the provider.

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Regulation 16 (1)(5):

This requirement remains unmet, despite being made at the previous inspection and the inspection before that. It is of serious concern that potential placing authorities are at risk of being misinformed about the services that the staff team can provide. Consequently, this requirement has now escalated to a compliance notice.

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Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii):

At the previous inspection, significant leadership weaknesses resulted in a requirement being made under most of the elements of regulation 13. At that time, the manager was very new in post. Since then, further significant leadership changes have occurred, including the sudden departure of the previous responsible individual.

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Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii):

It is acknowledged that senior leaders have placed a significant focus on their attempts to improve the safeguarding practice of the staff team, while the interim responsible individual gets to grips with his new role. However, this does not negate leaders’ responsibility to ensure that the home is being led and managed in accordance with the statement of purpose, that the staff work as a team and have the experience, knowledge and skills required, and that the home is sufficiently staffed to provide continuity of care for the children. Notably, the statement of purpose is still not accurate and this omission compromises leaders’ ability to measure the home’s performance against it.

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Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii):

In order to provide leaders with the opportunity to place their focus where it is most needed, they are required to prioritise their review of the statement of purpose. This is now subject to a compliance notice. Future inspections will then explore the provider’s ability to meet the previous shortfalls identified above under regulation 13.

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Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(h):

The manager has improved some internal monitoring systems and he demonstrates a reflective and analytical approach to reviewing practice at the home.

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Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(h):

The acting responsible individual is very new to the role and has not yet implemented a structured monitoring system since the departure of the previous responsible individual. Consequently, senior level quality assurance and monitoring is not evident. This presents risks that the provider is not clear about the strengths and weaknesses of the home and cannot, therefore, target the specific areas that must improve.

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Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(h):

This requirement, specific to monitoring arrangements, is not met and is therefore repeated. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 6

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Regulation 39 (1)(3):

The provider was required to process verbal concerns raised by neighbours as complaints to create a clear chronology of actions and outcomes.

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Regulation 39 (1)(3):

The manager has taken this on board and was able to put it into practice straight away, following a verbal complaint made by neighbours. The chronology and recording of this complaint were clear and showed a structured and diligent approach to handling the complaint and communicating outcomes to the complainant.

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Regulation 39 (1)(3):

An email provided shows that neighbours have noticed a significant improvement in recent weeks and appear much happier with the current management situation at the home.

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Conclusion:

Although the efforts of the manager are achieving some improvements, the overall pace of necessary improvement is slow. It is concerning to find previous requirements, including the compliance notice under regulation 12, not met, and particularly so, in terms of those requirements that have already been repeated. This ongoing failure to achieve compliance with regulations calls into question the fitness of the provider. Ofsted will conduct a further monitoring visit in accordance with the timescales set below for the provider to achieve compliance.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 03/03/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/02/2019 Full Good 13/02/2018 Full Outstanding 01/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 7

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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 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—

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm.

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Requirement Due date

Complete a full and thorough review of all staff’s skills and competencies, identifying any gaps or shortfalls, and arrange the requisite training to ensure staff are enabled to provide safe care for children with complex mental health needs. 13/09/20

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Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate.

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Requirement Due date

This is a repeated requirement. 13/09/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

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,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). 13/09/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 8 The requirements are that—

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

Regulation 32 (1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to reviewing recruitment of all staff, including managers, to ensure that they meet the required standard. The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, review the monitoring systems of senior managers to ensure that practice in the homes is being 13/09/2020 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 9 overseen effectively and that home managers are adhering to organisational policy and procedure.

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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: 113a St Johns Hill, Sevenoaks TN13 3PE

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Inspector:

Peter Jackson, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC438648 10 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:

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