Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for children's home: SC414738 1 SC414738 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 care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural needs. According to the statement of purpose, the home provides trauma-informed care for children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences, through the organisation’s ‘diversion’ programme and ‘token economy’ system.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2020.

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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

Date of last inspection: 1 September 2021

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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: SC414738 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/09/2021 Full Good 10/09/2019 Full Good 19/02/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 16/07/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC414738 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in the home and enjoy spending their time with staff and one another. Since the last inspection, children have been carefully matched with one another when new children have moved into the home. As a result, they have benefited from increased group activities and experiences. Staff have become creative in capturing children’s memories of group holidays and excursions, making beautifully edited videos and memory books as keepsakes for children to treasure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The organisation’s ‘diversion’ activities are creatively used to give children meaningful experiences. One child has learned to ride a bicycle, another child has been able to explore their culture and interests through learning musical instruments and learning to cook new cuisines from their family’s culture. Children also enjoy going to a nearby skate park with friends, trying tricks on their bicycles and supporting one another, or going to a nearby gaming centre to play video games.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are attending education and making progress. Staff support children to attend, whether they go to the provider’s attached school on the same site or to external schools. One child has been supported to cycle to school as part of developing their independence. The child’s teacher said the home was ‘one of the best care homes we’ve worked with’, praising the communication and close working relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who require medication are supported to receive this in line with their plans. Staff are well trained and policies are clear for staff to follow. Staff understand these polices and can demonstrate how they safely administer medication. There have been occasions when a member of staff did not follow their training or the home’s policy. This was managed sensitively by the registered manager and the member of staff has been supported to develop their practice. The member of staff described the manager as ‘the best manager I have had’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals are positive about children’s progress in the home. Police, social workers and teachers speak positively about communication with staff. One social worker said staff ‘showed a commitment which is child-centred’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A decision has been made to end the placement of one child who has made some high-risk attempts to harm themselves. There has been dialogue between staff and professionals regarding the child’s care and support balancing the best interests of all children in the home.

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

One child is benefiting from therapeutic life-story work delivered by the in- house therapist. Regular sessions have supported the child to better understand their past. The therapist works closely with the child’s family, professionals and staff at the Inspection report for children's home: SC414738 4 home to help inform plans for the child. Progress has been made and the child’s engagement has grown through the process. There have been times when the child has become unsettled, but staff have responded safely and empathetically to the child as they continue to explore their past.

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

No children have gone missing from the home for nearly a year. Children are settled and happy in the home. When children did leave the home without permission, staff closely followed guidance in the children’s plans and children were supported on their return home. Staff know the children and responses were consistent when asked how they would respond to a child leaving the home unexpectedly.

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

Children are supported to become more socially aware. The provider’s ‘token economy’ a rewards/incentive scheme encourages and rewards good behaviours. This is celebrated with pride by one child whose determination to always display their best behaviour. Staff address unacceptable behaviour via direct work. ‘Living better together’ meetings have helped unite the group and discuss topics such as race and culture in a non-judgemental space.

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

When children are unhappy with staff practice or with one another, they feel confident to make a complaint. Leaders ensure that children’s views are considered and children are responded to. Thorough investigations take place and external agencies are informed when necessary. This means children feel valued and listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager shows good oversight of all aspects of care in the home. The manager is attentive to the needs of children and staff and is quick to ensure the home remains well maintained. The manager has responded positively to the outcomes from the last inspection, and this has led to better experiences for children in her care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff are appropriately vetted when they join. Staff receive a thorough induction and regular supervisions which allow them to reflect on their practice. Staff spoke positively about the support they receive and felt that their practice had improved as a result.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children, staff, and external professionals all speak positively about the communication and support they receive from the manager. One social worker said the manager ‘knows what’s going on in the house and is on top of things’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel they are well trained and confidently talked through several safeguarding scenarios. When a child recently attempted to harm themselves, staff were able to prevent injury to the child and attributed this to the training they had received. After the incident, staff revisited their training and were given space to reflect, to ensure all staff are consistent in their approach. Inspection report for children's home: SC414738 5

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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: SC414738 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: SC414738 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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