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. The statement of purpose states that children with emotional or challenging behaviour are accommodated, between the ages of eight and 18 years old. 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 remote monitoring visit took place on 10 July 2020. This was conducted due to escalating concerns arising from notifications and external complaints received by Ofsted. The significant safeguarding concerns identified from that monitoring visit resulted in three compliance notices, with an end date of 16 August 2020, and a restriction of accommodation notice being served. Four requirements were also issued in respect of care planning, records of actual hours worked by staff, reviewing the safeguarding policy and the professional development of the responsible individual. A monitoring visit took place on 17 August 2020 and determined that the compliance notices were not met.

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This monitoring visit

A further monitoring visit took place on 23 September 2020. It was conducted remotely due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. As a result of this monitoring visit, the restriction of accommodation notice was extended and a compliance notice in relation to regulation 13 was issued. Statutory requirements were made in connection with the appointment of a manager, the statement of purpose and to ensure that there are suitable quality monitoring systems in place.

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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 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC465579 2 as to seek assurances 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 were identified in respect of the immediate safety and welfare of the two children currently in placement.

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Compliance notice – Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)

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 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)

Leaders and managers have made a significant effort to improve systems to meet the requirements of the compliance notice under regulation 13. 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 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)

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 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)

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 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)

This compliance notice is judged to have been met.

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Compliance notice – Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)

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 reviewed the statement of purpose, so it is clear on the children that can be accommodated in the home corresponding to the skill set and experience of staff. She has appointed a new manager. The previous statutory requirements are met.

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Compliance notice – Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)

Senior leaders have restructured the organisation so there are clear responsibilities and accountabilities. 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. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC465579 3

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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 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, implement the quality assurance framework by senior managers. 31 December 2020

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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. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC465579 5 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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