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

Inspection report children's home: SC470479 1 SC470479 Registered provider: Beaufort Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home can provide care for up to six children and young people, who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private provider which has three other homes in the area. There are currently four children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 12 March 2020 to carry out an interim inspection. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 31 January 2019

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children's home: SC470479 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/07/2019 Full Good 26/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC470479 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children‘s experiences here are good and they are helped by committed and enthusiastic staff to make good progress. Staff have made a conscious effort to familiarise themselves with distinct types of attachment styles and the children’s experiences. A member of staff was able to discuss with the inspector the importance of staff using this information to ensure children receive empathic and informed care. As a result of this approach, the children feel secure and able to build and sustain positive relationships with staff and each other. Staff understand children’s behaviours and the reasons for them. For example, staff are attuned to factors that both motivate and trigger incidents of aggression towards others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Those children who are moving into independence have robust and considerate care planning that is regularly reviewed by the registered manager and professionals. Staff ensure that the voice of the child is heard throughout, and the planning is at the child’s pace to ensure success.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are proactive and committed to supporting and engaging the children in education. Those children who are in education are making good progress. Communication between the registered manager and education professionals is good and ensures that children’s education plans progress. One child had been out of education for a year, prior to moving to the home, and is now achieving beyond expectations noted in their care plan. One child told the inspector, ‘I would never have been doing this if it wasn’t for the people here. I like it now. I go every day.’ This is a positive reflection that shows the child felt supported and that staff are actively promoting education. Another child, who is not in education, has access to resources and staff support the education plan within the home. As a result, the child is prepared for reintegration to education.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children benefit from consistent boundaries and from staff who understand their different needs. There have been some staff changes, however, there have been suitable levels of stability and skilled staff. The registered manager carefully monitors and reviews the use of agency staff. As a result, there has been minimal impact on the continuity of care to children during the pandemic.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Effective steps are taken to safeguard children. When children leave the home without discussing their plans or where they are going, staff are alert to the potential risks and ensure that the necessary action is taken. One child told the inspector that they, ‘respect the staff for explaining risks to me and why they are worried.’ Incidents of children leaving the home without permission have significantly reduced, and children accept and respect reasons given by staff regarding internet use and staying safe online. Inspection report children's home: SC470479 4 Communication with police, social workers and other professionals is good. This has improved the safety and protection for the children and improved the safeguarding of a particular child who was at increased risk of harm.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Behaviour management plans provide clarity for the use of restraint when it is absolutely necessary. Regular updates in team meetings ensure that staff are consistent in their approach. The use of de-escalation techniques, practised by all staff, enables them to consistently manage children’s behaviour. The informal debrief with children offers them the opportunity for reflection and supports effective relationships between children and staff.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Thorough recording of information allows for good oversight of the care planning for children. Children’s voices are well documented, and staff ensure all statutory review documentation and other required records are kept up to date. Progress is evidenced and any emerging concerns are quickly identified. However, at times, there is delay in reporting significant events to Ofsted. This has an impact on the welfare and protection of the children. However, staff take all necessary action to safeguard and support children to minimise risks

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff recognise the diverse needs of the children. Staff care for the children showing dignity and respect. Key workers seek resources and information to support each child’s individual personality and identity. Acceptance of each other is encouraged by staff and managers. As a result, children are happy and feel able to express their identity and accept that of others.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children have reported that they feel unsafe at times when older children show aggressive or verbally abusive behaviour. However, the staff safeguard and protect children effectively and help them to repair their relationships. Staff ensure that their behaviour management strategies are restoratively focused. There is good recording of reparation, and the views of the children are documented clearly. Children feel emotionally supported and staff are empathic to each child’s emotional well-being.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The registered manager and staff are excellent advocates for the children. For example, when raising a complaint to the local authority and when there was a lack of continuity in social workers. As a result, one child was enabled to build a trusting relationship with his current social worker and progress care planning and independence for the future. Children know how to complain, and positive, trusting relationships with staff enable children to do this where necessary. As a result, children feel safe, happy and secure.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The requirement from the previous inspection has been met, and the recommendations have been progressed by the registered manager and senior leaders. The registered manager is child focused and this is reflected in her management style. The manager knows the staff well and manages the home based on the ethos of the home’s statement of purpose. Staff on each shift have a good balance of skills and experience. Induction for inexperienced staff is thorough and Inspection report children's home: SC470479 5 organised, and staff feel prepared when meeting the children for the first time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager uses monitoring systems to review practice, care planning and procedures. However, this is not without error. For example, medication records had incorrect dates of birth recorded for two children. In addition, the oversight of the general housekeeping in children’s bedrooms and the maintenance of the home is not wholly effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. Annual appraisals are thorough and have constructive, reflective and performance related development plans for staff. The registered manager easily identifies staffs’ strengths and weaknesses and combines the skills to support staff. This promotes peer leaning and creativity in the care given to children. Mandatory training is up to date and staff in their probationary period have completed necessary training in line with development and senior management expectations. The registered manager is supported by senior management in continuing her professional development and accessing training opportunities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team addresses matters of concern thoroughly. The home is regularly reviewed by an independent visitor, which provides an additional layer of scrutiny and oversight. However, independent visitor reports lack children’s and professionals’ views at times. The registered manger provides constructive challenge to the independent visitor, with any recommendations acknowledged and acted on. Inspection report children's home: SC470479 6

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation— must include details of—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(d)(i)(ii)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that notifications are sent to Ofsted without delay, including notifications where strategy discussions have been convened in relation to possible risk of harm to a child. 29 August 2021 Inspection report children's home: SC470479 7

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Recommendations

 The registered person must ensure that staff seek to meet the children’s basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met. In particular, ensure that the general housekeeping maintained to a good standard, especially the children’s bedrooms and maintenance rectified quickly where necessary. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15 paragraph 3.7)

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Recommendations

 The registered person must ensure that all staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home’s care. In particular, ensure the effectiveness of auditing by the manager, to quality assure the effectiveness and accuracy of audits and daily tasks completed by staff. For example, correct information of child on forms and room checks undertaken by staff. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54 paragraph 10.20)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’.

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Children’s home Inspection report children's home: SC470479 8 Registered provider: Beaufort Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2, Hollygrove Business Park, Verwood Road, Ringwood, Dorset BH24 2DB

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Inspector

Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC470479 9 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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