Children's home run by Benecare Limited in Sevenoaks

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1225887 1

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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

A private company owns this home. The statement of purpose states that care and accommodation are provided for up to two children, aged from eight to 18, who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since 30 June 2019.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit took place on 4 August 2020. It was found that a compliance notice in relation to regulation 12 was not met, and therefore reissued. The provider was required to take the necessary steps to meet the compliance notice by 20 September 2020.

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This monitoring visit

An assurance visit took place on 23 September 2020. As a result of this visit, the compliance notice was reissued against regulation 12 and two requirements were made in relation to appointing a manager and working as a team. A restriction of accommodation notice was also issued.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was conducted on site to assess the provider’s progress in meeting the compliance notice, the requirements and the restriction notice, as well as to seek assurance about the safety and welfare of the child currently living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector established that no other children, other than the one child already living in the home, have been accommodated since the previous monitoring visit. Consequently, the provider has complied with the restriction notice. No concerns were identified in respect of the immediate safety and welfare of the child currently in placement. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1225887 2

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Compliance notice – Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)

The provider was required to complete a full and thorough written review of all staff skills and competencies, identifying any gaps or shortfalls, and arrange the requisite training to ensure that staff are enabled to provide safe care for children.

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Compliance notice – Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)

Leaders and managers have made a significant effort to improve systems to meet the requirements of the compliance notice under regulation 12. They have ensured that the skills and competencies framework for staff has been completely redeveloped. They have created a dedicated and personalised format which much better reflects the needs of children in the home.

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Compliance notice – Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)

Staff are positive about the work they have been doing with managers on the framework and are clearly invested in it. They feel that it validates the work they are doing and sets ambitious but realistic goals for future training and development.

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Compliance notice – Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)

Leaders and managers have used the new skills and competencies framework as a basis for reviewing all internal induction, training, supervision and appraisal systems. They have created a coherent flow and sense of continuity throughout these documents.

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Compliance notice – Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)

This compliance notice is judged to have been met.

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Compliance notice – Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)

The new responsible individual is showing good leadership. She has picked up on the proposed quality assurance framework with advanced plans to implement this. She has appointed a new manager. The previous statutory requirements are met.

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Compliance notice – Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)

Senior leaders have restructured the organisation so that there are clear responsibilities and accountabilities to ensure that all of the staff work together as a team. They have reviewed staff job descriptions, but these currently lack the specific safeguarding responsibilities and roles in the decision-making process for admitting children into the home.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/01/2020 Interim Not judged 10/09/2019 Full Inadequate 21/05/2019 Full Inadequate 29/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1225887 3

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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 that staff—

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2) (a)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, specify the safeguarding and admission responsibilities in job descriptions. 31 December 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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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, senior managers should implement the quality assurance framework. 31 December 2020 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1225887 4

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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: 1225887 5 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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