Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC401927 1 SC401927 Registered provider: Benecare Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a limited company. It provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties aged between eight and 18 years.

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Information about this children’s home

This home has not had a registered manager since 26 May 2021.

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This monitoring visit

A three-month imposed condition has been in place. This condition means that the provider cannot provide care and accommodation to children. This imposed condition has allowed time for the provider to recruit a new manager and staff. The provider gave Ofsted three months’ notice on 1 September 2022 of their intention to restart providing care for children.

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This monitoring visit

The focus of this monitoring visit was to review the requirements from the full inspection and the progress made with the recruitment of a new manager and staff.

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This monitoring visit

A qualified manager has been appointed and is in the process of applying to be registered with Ofsted. Three members of staff have been employed, who are undergoing their induction. The recruitment of other staff is ongoing.

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This monitoring visit

All staff have been trained in risk management processes and paperwork has been updated.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are now meeting their regulatory responsibilities. The admissions process and policy have been reviewed and updated and arrangements are in place for the retention of records. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC401927 2 Staff with responsibilities for the recruitment of new staff have received the appropriate training. Recruitment records sampled show that, overall, the provider is now meeting safe recruitment requirements. However, there is some delay in senior leaders verifying some of the paperwork.

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This monitoring visit

Improvements have been made to the environment in readiness for the home to readmit children.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of their actions, the provider has demonstrated to Ofsted that they are now ready to care for children.

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This monitoring visit

A variation of conditions has been granted. As a result, the home can now provide care and accommodation for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (EBD).

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This monitoring visit

The statement of purpose reflects the change of condition as well as the aims and ethos of the home. Staff have received training on the statement of purpose as well as having discussions in team meetings. There is now a system where staff are made champions for different areas of children’s care, such as education. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC401927 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/03/2022 Full Inadequate 06/08/2019 Full Good 29/01/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/09/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC401927 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure good employment practice. They should ensure that recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC401927 5

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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 - monitoring visit: SC401927 6 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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