Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC391379 1 SC391379

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Benjamin UK Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to four children. The organisation also has a registered school and teachers from the school provide education in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has not had a registered manager since 1 February 2021.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out on site. We last visited this children’s home on 5 May 2021 when a full inspection was carried out.

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This monitoring visit

The focus of this visit was to follow up concerns arising from safeguarding notifications and the independent visitor’s reports. In particular, the information contained within these documents showed a high turnover of staff, an increase in the number of incidents, including children going missing, complaints about staff’s management of the children’s behaviours in the local community, and some medication errors and omissions.

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This monitoring visit

The deputy manager, despite only being in post for a short period of time, was able to provide context to the identified issues and provide an update on what action had been taken to address them. This included a tour of the home to ensure that all areas were safe, clean and tidy.

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This monitoring visit

A review of the most serious incidents, including children going missing and having access to knives, showed that the staff and managers had worked in partnership with other agencies to minimise the risks to all involved. Children’s plans are kept under review and clear guidance put in place for the staff to follow. The children also benefit from one-to-one sessions with the staff to explore their risk-taking behaviours and the consequences of their actions. Some children have moved to new placements due to their identified risks being too high. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC391379 2 With regards to the other concerns identified, for example complaints and medication errors/omissions, these had been fully investigated and lessons had been learned. This included retraining staff in these areas.

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This monitoring visit

Over the past few months, and since the last full inspection, several staff have left the home. Senior managers explained the reasons for this, including the short notice, and recognised the impact of this on the children. Plans have been put in place to address this. New managers and staff were appointed, with what senior managers described as a renewed focus on resilience, and fully inducted alongside more experienced staff. Focused meetings led by the organisation’s therapist were also held early on to ensure that all staff understood and knew how to meet the children’s needs. This planned approach contributed, along with some changes within the group of children, to a calmer and more settled atmosphere.

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This monitoring visit

The previous requirements have all been addressed appropriately. Senior leaders and managers have good monitoring systems in place to review the quality of care and are now sending in regular reports to Ofsted. One example of this includes the staff undertaking daily checks of the children’s bedrooms to ensure that they are kept to a good standard. All children now also have appropriate access to education and have plans in place for when they return after the holidays.

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This monitoring visit

No requirements were made at this visit.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/05/2021 Full Good 26/11/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/05/2019 Full Good 22/11/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC391379 3

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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: Church Farm, Station Road, Tring HP23 5RS

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Claudette Rudman

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Inspector

Amanda Harvey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC391379 4 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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