Children's home run by Beaufort Care Group Ltd in Barnet

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046480 1 SC046480

p.1

Beaufort Care Group

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home can provide care for up to four children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation that operates several other homes in the area.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home has not had a registered manager in post since January 2020. The new manager took up post in March 2020, and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken because the home has not had a registered manager since January 2020 and had not been inspected since 6 December 2019. The requirements and recommendations set at the previous inspection were also reviewed. At the time of this monitoring visit, two children lived at the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

An inspector completed the visit remotely. Telephone conversations were conducted with children and staff. In addition, a virtual tour of the home was undertaken via a video call. Records were reviewed and feedback was gathered from social workers.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children feel well cared for and supported by the staff who care for them. This has enabled children to share their worries about their past and/or about their future. Staff and the manager listen and respond helpfully, sharing information as necessary with external agencies and advocating strongly on behalf of children. Children are making progress. Their social workers spoke positively to the inspector about this Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046480 2 progress, recognising that one child is more settled than before and another has developed their independence skills.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children’s plans provide staff with clear guidance on how to care for each child and meet their needs. The plans are frequently reviewed and provide evidence of children’s progress.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are not consistently receiving all the documentation they require from the placing authorities, despite frequent requests. Leaders and managers are not escalating these concerns in a timely manner. This has the potential to impact the care a child receives.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children’s behaviour is well managed. This has led to the number of incidents and restraints decreasing. Each child has a detailed behaviour management plan that is reviewed in light of behavioural changes. These plans also evidence the progress children are making in managing and understanding their own behaviours.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Restraint is used as a last resort and clear records are maintained. Conversations are held with children after a restraint, which helps them to reflect on what happened and to identify how staff can help them further.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding practices. Records of safeguarding events are clear, and confirm that swift action is taken to protect children and promote their welfare. However, leaders and managers have failed to notify Ofsted of six safeguarding events. They did report these to the other required authorities.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Since the previous inspection, the make-up of the staff team has completely changed. Staff members have built positive relationships with the children, creating a safe and positive environment. The staff reflect on incidents and events in order to prevent reoccurrence and develop their practice.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff have worked well to develop and move the home forward. The children are also involved in the home’s development, which gives them a sense of ownership. Substantial refurbishment has taken place since the previous inspection. Staff have repurposed part of the home into a semi-independence space. This was created as part of the advocacy work staff did on behalf of a child. Although still very much part of the home, it provides the child with their own sitting room and a bedroom with ensuite facilities. This development has enhanced the independence work the child is doing. Most importantly, the child loves this space.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager completes six-monthly reviews of the quality of care provided. These reports are detailed, but the level of analysis and evaluation requires improvement. In addition, the manager is not gathering feedback from children, parents or social workers. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046480 3 At the previous inspection, six requirements and two recommendations were made. The manager has met four of the requirements and both recommendations. The two requirements which remain unmet relate to the notification of significant events and escalating concerns when a placing authority fails to provide the required documentation. They are restated at this visit.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/12/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 04/09/2019 Full Good 22/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/08/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046480 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

Engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met

p.4

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

p.4

Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5(c)) 31 March 2021

p.4

Requirement Due date

If there is a referral of a person working in the home pursuant to section 35 (Regulated activity providers: duty to refer) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006(a), the registered person must without delay notify—  HMCI;  the placing authority; and  each other relevant person.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—  a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;  an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;  there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;  a child protection enquiry involving a child is instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or 31 March 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046480 5  there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (3)(a)(b)(c) (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should undertake a review, at least once every six months, of the matters as set out in Regulation 45. The report of this review must include analysis and evaluation of the work undertaken at the home. In particular, the registered person must seek feedback from children, social workers and any other persons whose contribution would enhance this review. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2)

p.5

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.

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Beaufort Care Group

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Beaufort Care Group Ltd, 2 Hollygrove Farm, Verwood Road, Ashley, Ringwood BH24 2DB

p.5

Inspector

Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC046480 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.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6