Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC401927 1 SC401927

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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 owned and run by a limited company. It provides care and accommodation for up to four children who have learning disabilities. The home’s stated purpose is to provide a safe, homely environment for children with challenging behaviour, which includes children with autism spectrum disorder.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2020.

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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 conducted a telephone interview with the interim responsible individual.

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This monitoring visit

In July 2020, Ofsted received information from another agency that indicated children may be at risk of harm in the home due to unsafe working practices. One local authority made the decision to move three children to alternative placements. This was due to allegations of a serious safeguarding nature.

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This monitoring visit

These allegations are currently being investigated by the police and other agencies. Until these investigations are complete, Ofsted believes that any children placed in the home may be at risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted served a notice of suspension, effective immediately from 10 July 2020 until 1 October 2020 inclusively. This notice of suspension will be kept under review.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the suspension notice. No children have lived in the home since the suspension notice was served. The provider has complied with the suspension notice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC401927 2 The provider has undertaken some positive work to enhance training for staff, particularly around safeguarding and whistle blowing.

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This monitoring visit

Members of the staff team have either left or been reassigned to other homes or duties in the organisation. The provider intends to allow for completion of all external and internal investigations before the remodelling and recruitment of a new team.

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This monitoring visit

The responsible individual has a vision for service improvement, but this is yet to be fully realised in any formal service development plan.

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This monitoring visit

The police are still investigating and internal investigations by the provider have not yet commenced. The suspension notice remains in place.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/08/2019 Full Good 29/01/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/09/2018 Full Good 22/05/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC401927 3

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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: SC401927 4 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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