Esther House

Inspection report for children's home: SC474150 1 SC474150 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

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. It provides therapeutic residential care to up to four children aged 12 to 18 who have had adverse childhood experiences. The organisation also has a registered school and the teachers provide education in the home.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC474150 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/07/2021 Full Good 09/03/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/01/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC474150 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, the four children who were living at the home have all moved out and are making progress. One child moved out to live independently, one child moved into a semi-independence service, another child moved to foster care and the last child moved to another children’s home nearer their family home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

New children have moved in and in some cases have needed to move out after only a short period of time. For example, on one occasion, a child had not been suitably matched because not all placement information was made available to the manager at admission. As a result, the manager has completed a learning review, and this has helped to improve the process when new children move in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children currently live in the home. Their admissions were well planned and both children get along with each other and the staff. Children speak positively about their experience and enjoy the activities on offer, the food they eat and the support they receive from staff. Both children remain in regular communication with their families and professionals. They feel valued and have a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are confident that members of staff will act on their requests. For example, children’s requests have been actioned in relation to having better access to the organisation’s therapy team, increased time with their family and more opportunities to discuss their care plans with their social workers.

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

Staff feel confident to manage children’s presenting risks and have a good understanding of their vulnerabilities. Risk assessments and risk management plans all help to guide staff practice. These are reviewed and highlight known risks. However, behavioural plans lack clear guidance for staff in what to do if a child presents with some known behaviours.

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

Physical interventions are well managed, and children and staff are supported after any incident. Debriefs and lessons learned are used and the manager’s tracking of patterns helps to identify triggers and patterns to behaviours. This gives the registered manager a better understanding of children’s needs and they can tailor support as a result.

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

Staff respond positively when children go missing from home. Clear plans give staff instruction in what to do and who to contact. Staff know these plans and episodes of children going missing are well reported. The registered manager tracks children’s patterns to help to identify triggers.

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

One child is being sensitively supported with a complex medical condition. Despite support from specialist agencies and staff, the child is refusing their medication. Inspection report for children's home: SC474150 4 Ongoing support is made available by professionals to help the child better understand their medical condition. This has made the child feel valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent visitor describes the manager as skilled and experienced. There have been several changes at the home in the past year, with staff and children leaving the home. Despite these changes, the manager has addressed shortfalls identified at the last inspection and is quick to respond to any required improvements identified at the independent visitor’s visits.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a change in staffing over the past year. Several longstanding staff have left for personal reasons and new staff have been recruited. All new staff have been appropriately vetted and inducted, and ongoing training is in place. Staff have commented on enjoying their roles and feeling happy, and children feel comfortable in their presence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is aware of the strengths and weaknesses in the home. Close monitoring enables the manager to identify patterns and trends. This has helped to improve areas such as informing placement matching and children’s access to therapy and has informed their risk plans. This has helped children to feel calm and to be better prepared for managing change.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children feel able to express their views and believe that staff and managers listen to them. Children can influence their care inside and outside of their home and feel supported by staff. A child’s social worker praised the effectiveness of the staff’s communication. Inspection report for children's home: SC474150 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff have the skills to respond to each child’s individual behaviour. Where necessary they should manage conflict, maintain constructive dialogue and react appropriately if challenged by a child in their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.14)

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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: SC474150 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Coach House, White House Court, Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1FD

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Claudette Rudman

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Inspector

Matt Nicholls, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC474150 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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