Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC465579 1 SC465579

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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 aged between eight and 18 years old. According to its statement of purpose, it accommodates ‘children who are displaying emotional or challenging behaviours’. The home is operated by a private organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager at the home since 12 June 2019.

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This monitoring visit

A restriction of accommodation notice was served for the period 9 July 2020 to 30 September 2020.

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This monitoring visit

Compliance notices were issued on 13 July 2020 for regulations 12, 13 and 46 with a due date for completion of the necessary steps of 16 August 2020.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit took place on 17 August 2020. Ofsted considered the provider’s response to the three compliance notices and reissued requirements in relation to regulations 12, 13 and 46. A further requirement was made under regulation 27, to appoint a manager. The date for completing the necessary actions to meet these requirements was 20 September 2020. In considering the failure of the provider to meet the previous compliance notices, Ofsted determined that the restriction of accommodation notice would remain in place.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was conducted remotely due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). Its purpose was to assess the provider’s progress in meeting the requirements, to check compliance with the restriction notice, as well as to seek assurance about the safety and welfare of the children currently living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector established that no other children, other than the two already living in the home, have been accommodated since the previous monitoring visit. Consequently, the provider has complied with the restriction notice. No concerns Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC465579 2 were identified in respect of the immediate safety and welfare of the two children currently living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have completed a review of the staff’s skills but there is a lack of detail to show how they have assessed staff’s competencies. In addition, the planned advanced behaviour management training has not proceeded. Senior leaders cannot assure themselves that staff have the right skill set for the children in their care. Senior leaders have failed to ensure the staff team is equipped with the necessary training, support and guidance. For example, staff knowledge and competence in sensory difficulties, opposition defiance disorder and sexually harmful behaviour has not been assessed. Senior leaders have, so far, completed the mapping of staff qualifications against the relevant care diploma.

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This monitoring visit

The recruitment plans for a manager have progressed and senior leaders have a contingency plan should an appointment not go ahead. However, there has not been a manager registered with Ofsted since June 2019. The requirement under regulation 27 is, therefore, repeated.

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This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have plans to introduce a new management structure with clear lines of the responsibilities of the registered manager and the responsible individual. However, as they have currently been unsuccessful in recruiting to either role, (the responsible individual is currently a temporary arrangement), the leadership and management remain fragile.

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This monitoring visit

Senior leaders acknowledge that their oversight has been lacking in the past and has contributed to the failings in the home. They have now ensured that staff understand the permissible strategies that they can use to keep children safe, in line with current guidance.

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This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have plans to introduce a new referrals/admissions process. It is proposed that senior staff take responsibility for the key decisions when a child comes to live in the home. The new structure and policy are not yet in place and remain untested in practice.

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This monitoring visit

The new admissions policy clearly shows the presenting needs of children that the home cannot accommodate. However, this is not reflected in the statement of purpose and so does not provide clarity for placing social workers.

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This monitoring visit

The staff team has been consistent since the last inspection. There are a suitable number of staff for the two children currently accommodated. Senior leaders acknowledge that there are not sufficient staff to accommodate another child in the home. They have written a recruitment strategy. However, there is no contingency plan should the proposed appointments for the staff team be unsuccessful.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of this monitoring visit, the restriction of accommodation notice has been extended and a compliance notice in relation to regulation 13 has been issued. Ofsted will consider the next steps. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC465579 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/01/2020 Full Good 11/03/2019 Full Good 14/11/2017 Full Good 28/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC465579 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

*The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— 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— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)) 08/11/2020

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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— 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

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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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

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(d)(h)) 08/11/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)) 08/11/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if— 08/11/2020 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC465579 5 there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

*This requirement is 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

Keith Riley, social care inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC465579 6 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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