Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

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

p.1

Benecare Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

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 with learning disabilities. The home’s stated purpose is to provide a safe, homely environment for children whose diagnoses may include autism spectrum disorder.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2020.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

We last visited this home on 20 August 2020 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on Ofsted’s website.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At the previous monitoring visit, on 20 August 2020, no children were living in the home and the provider was complying with the suspension notice. Ofsted lifted this notice on 2 October 2020 and placed a condition on the home. In accordance with that condition, the provider has given Ofsted three months’ notice of its intention to accommodate children.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Consequently, this monitoring visit focused on the implementation of the provider’s development plan, to determine whether suitable arrangements were in place to safely accommodate children.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Two inspectors undertook a range of activities that included a tour of the property, interviews with leaders and staff, and a review of relevant policies, procedures and documents. The findings of a previous meeting between Ofsted and the senior leadership were also considered. At that meeting, senior leaders provided Ofsted with an update on the provider’s internal investigation into previous serious Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC401927 2 safeguarding allegations that are also being investigated by the police and other agencies. Neither investigation is fully concluded.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The inspectors found that the planned redecoration is not yet complete. There is ongoing maintenance in the lounge and children’s bedrooms. Hazards and risks are still apparent in the garden. The poor quality of the upstairs carpeting is not of a similar standard to other improvements and there are unrelated documents and paperwork stored at the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The provider has worked hard to recruit a suitably trained and experienced team, including an interim manager, in preparing for the home to reopen. In accordance with the home’s statement and purpose, careful consideration has been given to the team’s suitability to work with children with learning disabilities. However, some gaps are noted in the safer recruitment process. Examples include the failure to scrutinise the identity of applicants on two occasions.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A comprehensive suite of training has been provided for the staff. Core, mandatory training, such as safeguarding, is further complemented by a range of relevant topics, including sensory processing and global developmental delay. This demonstrates that the provider has carefully considered how the staff need to be trained and supported to meet the needs of the children who may live here in the future. Although the range of the training is positive, little time has been allocated for staff to reflect and consider the amount they have undertaken in a short space of time. Consequently, they have had limited time to fully absorb and reflect on the learning undertaken.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Senior leaders are keen to progress a referral that has been received. Ofsted’s view is that this is premature in light of the shortfalls identified from this visit. Consequently, three requirements are made. Ofsted will continue to monitor the provider’s progress in meeting these.

p.2

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

p.2

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.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.3

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

p.3

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

p.3

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.3

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

p.3

Requirement Due date

Specifically, check the identity of staff, including the exploration of name changes. 14 June 2021

p.3

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—

p.3

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.3

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)) 14 June 2021 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC401927 4 Specifically, provide the staff team with time and resources to consolidate and reflect on the learning that they have undertaken.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.4

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

p.4

Requirement Due date

Specifically, clearing the garden of hazards and removing unnecessary documents/paperwork from the home. 14 June 2021

p.4

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.4

Information about this inspection

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

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Thatch Vine Farm, Stockers Hill, Boughton- under-Blean, Faversham, Kent ME13 9AB

p.4

Inspectors

Rebecca Fisher, Social Care Inspector Peter Jackson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC401927 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.

p.4

Inspectors

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.5

Inspectors

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

p.5

Inspectors

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

p.5