Children's Home run by Beaufort Care Group Ltd in Dorset

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 1 Registered provider: Beaufort care Group

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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 care for up to three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private provider, which has several other homes in the area. At the time of this inspection, there were two children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 2

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Findings from the inspection

We identified the following serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection:

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Findings from the inspection

 Leadership and management of the home is weak. Oversight and monitoring are not effective. Leaders and managers fail to evaluate the care provided effectively in order to learn lessons and make sustained improvements.  When missing from home, children’s personalised missing protocols are not always followed. This has hindered efforts to locate the child and return them home safely.  Staff are not effectively trained to meet the complexity of the needs and safeguarding concerns of the children in their care.  Children’s bedrooms are unhygienic and poorly maintained by staff.

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The care of children

One child has left the home at short notice since the last inspection. Despite living in the home for six months, the child’s experiences in the home were so limited that staff had little to capture in terms of memories of the child’s time in the home for them to take with them. This is a disappointment to leaders and managers, who have reflected on all aspects of this child’s placement and identified lessons to be learned.

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The care of children

The inspector found one child’s bedroom to be in an unacceptable condition of cleanliness. While staff have tried to encourage the child to clean and take care of their room, they have not intervened early or regularly enough to model a high standard of parenting to ensure that the child’s room is clean.

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The care of children

One child is attending education regularly and there is a clear plan with wider professionals for their timetable to be increased in the coming months. However, for the other child, education has deteriorated since completing her GCSE’s and staff have failed to be able to engage them in their chosen course. This includes working with the in-house engagement worker, who comes to the home weekly.

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The care of children

Children are not accessing the appropriate health provision. Despite making several appointments, staff have been unable to encourage one child to attend the dentist. Similarly, the other child is refusing to engage with sexual health services, although the staff are in regular communication with the professionals who have visited the home to try and break this barrier.

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The safety of children

Staff have been managing a high number of missing incidents for one child. The incidents have significantly increased in frequency and risk since the last inspection, Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 3 with increased concerns of exploitation. Staff responses to these incidents have been inconsistent. Staff have not always followed the protocols in place, including searching known areas and contacting the child’s friends in a timely way to try and locate them.

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The safety of children

Leaders and managers have been slow to identify patterns in the missing behaviours and update protocols accordingly. This has recently changed just prior to the inspection, and a waking night staff member has been employed to manage the risk in the home.

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The safety of children

The inspector spoke with staff who are aware of the recent changes to the missing protocols and the expectations of them. However, leaders and managers recognise that staff knowledge and expertise are limited in the context of the complexity of the safeguarding concerns.

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The safety of children

There has been one restraint used since the last inspection. This was proportionate, and the manager’s debrief with staff offered good professional challenge. The debrief with the child was completed in a timely manner and allowed for the child to talk about their feelings and emotions. However, the manager did not specifically ask about the use of restraint for the child. The manager recognised this during the inspection and took this feedback on board.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has been in post since April 2022 and was registered with Ofsted in October 2022. The responsible individual has been overseeing this home since September 2022. Within this time, leaders and managers have reflected on the shortfalls of the home and recognise that the standard of care provided is not as high as it should be. Leaders and managers do have a good understanding of the vulnerabilities within the provision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have plans in place to start to address these shortfalls, but recognise that, foremost, they must ensure children’s safety within the home. Leaders and managers have given notice on one child’s placement in recognition that the complexity of risk, coupled with the home’s location, are not conducive to keeping them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have provided staff with safeguarding training and training in recording and reporting. However, training in specific topics, such as exploitation, has not been prioritised in light of the growing concerns for one of the children. Leaders and managers have arranged for this training to be completed in the coming months.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

One new member of staff told the inspector that their induction training and support have been of a high standard. They have always been working alongside a more- experienced colleague to learn within the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 4 The home environment has seen some improvements to the downstairs area, with new furniture in the conservatory and recently decorated lounge. Furthermore, one child has displayed their certificates in the dining room. Renovations to the upstairs of the property are planned for the coming months.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/12/2021 Interim Declined in effectiveness 30/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 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

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children receive the necessary care from wider health professionals. 28 February 2023

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 13 January 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 6 that staff—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; and

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff understand the risks to the children outside of the home and apply practices that promote their safety and well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; 28 February 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 7 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child; and

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that leaders and managers promote high-quality care for the children, and provide staff with the resources and direction to make this possible.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed; and

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Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children’s records provide sufficient detail on how to care for them, and children are supported to contribute to their records where appropriate. 13 January 2023

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; 13 January 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 8 use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vii)(viii)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, review the statement of purpose and the skills of the staff to ensure that the staff can meet the needs of the children living in the home. Ensure that children’s bedrooms are cleaned and maintained to a high standard.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision that allows them to reflect on their practice, and that the content and/or outcomes of supervision sessions are accurately recorded. (‘Guide to the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 9 Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. In particular, carefully consider the appropriateness of recording the child’s information using a first-person narrative. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are encouraged to develop positive relationships with others both inside and outside the home as set out in the positive relationships standard. However, staff should be alert to the possibility that children may be at risk from such relationships, including with friends and others outside the home, and they therefore should take appropriate steps to protect a child where there are concerns for a child’s safety. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.13) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Beaufort care Group

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2 Hollygrove Business Park, Verwood Road, Ringwood, Dorset BH24 2DB

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Inspector

Katie Ratcliffe, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2623130 11 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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