Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home: SC438648 1 SC438648 Registered provider: Benecare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties. The home is operated by a private organisation. At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager at the home since 15 December 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: inadequate

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC438648 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/05/2022 Full Inadequate 01/09/2021 Full Good 03/03/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/02/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC438648 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the last full inspection in May 2022, the home was judged inadequate. Leaders and managers have worked hard to make the necessary improvements. This rapid improvement has resulted in children now receiving a good quality of care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are more engaging with the children. This has enabled a more trusting relationship to develop between staff and children. Consequently, children commented that they feel happy and are enjoying living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their lives and to influence the way the home is run. For example, the manager incorporates the children’s wishes into the overall development plan for the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to pursue their interests and develop their confidence, and are encouraged to engage in leisure activities. Staff planned the summer holidays to include trips of interest for both children, such as a Ninja Warrior experience and making music videos. As a result, children are broadening their experiences and developing positive memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and staff enjoy engaging in multicultural celebrations and events. Staff are creating an enriching home that expands children’s interests and shows them that diversity is celebrated and enjoyed. Staff have also supported children to learn the skills of fundraising for charities by participating in a fundraising event involving baking cakes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The physical, emotional and health needs of each child are identified, and appropriate action is taken to secure the medical, dental and other health services needed to meet children’s individual needs. Staff ensure that every child is provided with guidance, advice and support on health and personal care issues appropriate to their age, needs and wishes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to stay in touch with their families, friends and other people who play a significant role in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are now enjoying living in a comfortable and well-maintained home.

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

Managers follow good safeguarding practice when incidents occur and consult with other professionals effectively.

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

The manager now has effective plans in place to mitigate risks to children. Consequently, children are kept safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC438648 4 Significant improvements have been made in the complaints procedure. However, the policy is not fully embedded into staff practice. As a result, there are still shortfalls in the recording and consultation.

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

Staff risk-assess and review children’s access to the internet and online platforms effectively.

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

The registered person operates an effective selection and vetting process for all staff, including temporary staff used through an agency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has been in the home for six weeks. She is also the registered manager for another home, which is situated next door. The manager demonstrates a vision and passion to make improvements to the home and to children’s overall experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s child-centred approach and role-modelling have empowered and supported the staff through a period of change. Staff comment that they feel supported and valued by the manager and that this has had a positive impact on children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a detailed development plan that has been devised to support children to develop emotionally, physically and socially. The manager welcomes and makes good use of external feedback and incorporates this into the ongoing development of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers’ monitoring of the quality of care is effective. As a result of this monitoring and oversight, the manager has knowledge of the children’s day-to- day experiences and a well-rounded view of their progress and the quality of care they are receiving from the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are now supported through regular and reflective supervision. This is enhanced by regular team meetings and monthly clinical supervision. Consequently, staff now have opportunities to reflect on their practice, as well as space to develop and learn. Inspection report for children’s home: SC438648 5

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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

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that children are informed of the outcome to their complaint, and records are completed in line with the organisation’s policy.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 September

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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: SC438648 6

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Rebecca Fisher, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC438648 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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