Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for children's home: SC062317 1 SC062317 Registered provider: Benjamin Uk Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children. The statement of purpose describes a therapeutic approach for children who have social and/or emotional difficulties. The home is one of a group of homes owned and operated by a private organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 1 October 2021.

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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: not judged

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC062317 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/03/2020 Interim Not judged 18/03/2019 Interim Not judged 26/03/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 17/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC062317 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home reopened in May 2021. When reopening, the manager, staff and a child moved in a well-planned manner from another of the provider’s homes. This has enabled the child to live in the home as a solo placement with support from adults who they know well and have a well-established relationship with. As a result, the child has made measurable progress in several aspects of their care, such as increased attendance and achievement in school, and a reduction in missing episodes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

In school, the child has received awards for achievement in areas such as English and mathematics. Staff have responded quickly to some recent circumstances that have prevented the child from attending school. They are working creatively with the school to resolve these issues and get her back to school. Staff have interim arrangements in place to reduce the impact of the child’s missing education and to help ensure that she continues to access her course work.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the child to understand how to make healthy life choices. They make sure that she attends health appointments. The child makes good use of therapeutic support from staff and the provider’s therapeutic services. She sees these as a safe space to talk about any worries or concerns. She engages well with support, and this is helping her to overcome difficulties that she previously struggled to face.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have helped the child to join in with a number of activities such as ice skating and skateboarding, and plans are in place from the new year for the child to access a course in car mechanics. The staff work closely with the child to determine their interests and to offer the child structured time with staff. This allows the child to enjoy time with a devoted staff team and to enjoy new experiences.

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

Recently, the child has had an increase in episodes of missing from the home. Staff are able to identify the reasons for this and have taken action to reduce the risk when she goes missing. One example is a pattern of the child visiting a friend. The staff have built a close working relationship with the child’s parents and have created safe opportunities for both children to enjoy one another’s company. As a result, both children spend time with one another enjoying activities with parents or staff instead of unsupervised time in the community. The child has been able to build a friendship with the support of staff.

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

When the child does go missing, staff follow agreed safety plans to ensure their safe return. They are creative in their approach to keeping in touch with the child when she is out in the community to make sure she can enjoy free time without being exposed to unacceptable risks. Inspection report for children's home: SC062317 4 Staff maintain positive relationships with other professionals. They keep relevant external agencies updated with regard to any emerging risks. An independent reviewing officer for the child spoke of the child’s confidence and sense of belonging having improved due to the boundaries put in place by the staff.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted and poor behaviour is challenged by staff. Staff use rewards as incentives to encourage positive behaviour. This approach has been successful overall; however, there has been a recent decline in her behaviour, and this is attributed to the stress of recent issues at school.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager leads the home by example. There is a real bond between the manager, staff and the child. There is a culture of openness and a shared desire to make progress. The child is positive about the steps taken to allow her to see friends, and there is a nurturing relationship between them and the manager. There is a commitment to ensure that the child’s voice is heard and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has built a positive relationship with neighbours. The child has also engaged in community activities by baking for neighbours and attending local events, including a street gathering during the UEFA Euro football championship in the summer. This has given the child a positive experience of community spirit and a sense of belonging.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training in therapeutic approaches helps them to be thoughtful and child- focused in the way they care for children. Staff report that they feel supported by managers. Staff benefit from regular supervisions, which focus on the needs of the child and provide a space to reflect on practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are subject to appropriate checks and scrutiny to make sure that they are suitable to work with children. Where there has been a high usage of agency staff, the manager has used a small pool of consistent people within the agency who have a good relationship with the child. Agency checks are completed centrally, and the manager has a good oversight of all adults working in the home. This has allowed the child to benefit from consistency and to build positive relationships with trusted adults. Inspection report for children's home: SC062317 5

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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’. Inspection report for children's home: SC062317 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Churchfarm, Station Road, Aldbury, Tring HP23 5RS

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Claudette Rudman

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Inspectors

Matt Nicholls, Social Care Inspector Amanda Harvey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC062317 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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