Children's home run by Beaufort Care Group Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1246831 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

The home is operated by a private provider that has several other homes in the area. The home provides care for up to three children.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been in post since October 2022 and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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 this inspection, 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: 1246831 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children say there have been positive changes in the home since the last inspection. They feel the manager is listening to them and making improvements. Children’s rooms have recently been redecorated to include more personal touches. Photos and children’s artwork on the walls help to improve the identity of the home and the relationship children have with it. Staff support children with regular house chats, giving them the opportunity to feed back on the quality of care and changes they want to see.

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The care of children

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff. Staff understand children’s needs and are responsive to situations as they arise. Staff speak with children about issues that are important to their lives. This includes conversations about being healthy and attending education. The manager raised concerns when one child was not in education, employment or training. This resulted in the child getting a tutor to support them with mentoring and job searches. While positive progress is being made to highlight expectations and aspirations for children, this is still to be embedded in the culture of the home.

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The safety of children

Staff identify and understand safeguarding concerns. Most staff have attended safeguarding refresher courses. Clear safeguarding records show the action staff take to respond to concerns and improve safety for children. Staff identify opportunities for multi-agency working to share concerns and manage risks. The manager helps staff to understand the seriousness of concerns and what actions to take in response, such as a child not taking their medication.

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The safety of children

Staff follow risk assessments to help keep children safe. Staff regularly review risk assessments and add new learning points following incidents. Staff understand how the children get on and interact with each other and how to best support their interactions to be positive.

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The safety of children

Incidents of restraint are low and reducing. Records of restraint include clear, critical reflection with the involvement of staff. The manager uses the information gathered to take meaningful actions going forward. Consequences are clearly recorded with the children’s views captured. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1246831 3

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have appointed an experienced manager from within the organisation to manage the home. This manager brings a clear vision for the improvement of care. The manager understands the areas for improvement in the home and the impact of these on children’s lives. Staff are positive about the changes made by the manager and say that the home is completely different.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager uses team meetings to ensure that staff have the opportunity to discuss children’s progress and development. These meetings make use of the organisation’s therapeutic practitioner to further develop staff’s understanding about the impact of care. The manager has reviewed staff training needs and ensured that staff receive the opportunity to attend training to help them meet the needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers developed an action plan following the previous inspection. The manager has followd this plan and made considerable progress. The manager has addressed the majority of the requirements set at the previous inspection. Two requirements were not considered at this inspection and so remain in place. Planned changes to the bathroom have not yet taken place, and it looks tired and dated. Therefore, the recommendation relating to this remains. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1246831 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/06/2021 Full Good 20/01/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/08/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1246831 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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that employment checks consider the previous names that candidates have been known by, and that records are clear whether a reference is personal or professional. 16 September

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months. 16 September Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1246831 6 In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”).

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(b) (3) (4)(a) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the review is submitted to Ofsted within the required timescales and that the report contains the feedback and views of children who are cared for and the views of other stakeholders.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are provided with a homely environment that is in good repair. There should be consideration given to encouraging children to decorate their space and removing their restricted access to the office. The bathroom is looking worn, and consideration must be given to addressing this. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1246831 7

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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

Clare Nixson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1246831 8 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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Inspector

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

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