Children's home run by Beaufort Care Group Ltd in Barnet

Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 1 SC046480 Registered provider: Beaufort Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home can provide care for up to three children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private organisation that operates several other homes in the area.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager in post. A new manager has been appointed, but they have yet to apply for registration.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 17 January 2023

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/01/2023 Full Good 21/07/2021 Full Good 06/12/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 04/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 3

p.2

improvement to be good

It has been an unsettling time at the home during recent months due to changes in the management team and several staff members leaving. This has been disconcerting for two of the three children living at the home, as they have known these people since they moved in and have built strong relationships with them. During this period, there have been some changes in these children’s behaviour, including missing-from-home incidents and a decline in educational engagement. The home is now in a settling period, with initially an interim manager in post and now a new manager being appointed.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children said that they like living at the home, feel safe and like the staff who care for them. However, they also said they do not like it when staff from this home go to work in other homes and vice versa. This instability in staffing provision does not enhance the children’s day-to-day experiences of living here. Children take part in different activities both in the house and in the community. These include baking, playing computer games with staff and being part of a local rugby team.

p.3

improvement to be good

A new child has more recently moved into the home. This move was appropriately and sensitively managed. However, the interim plans for the new child do not reflect all of the information the staff have gathered from others who know the child well.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff provide children with a comfortable, well-furnished home. Children love their bedrooms and were proud to show them to the inspector. These areas are personalised, well furnished and comfortable.

p.3

improvement to be good

Two of the three children are not in full-time education. Neither of these children’s engagement in their current part-time education arrangement is consistent. This does not support the children in reaching their full educational potential.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children’s records and plans vary in quality. Some daily records provide a good account of the child’s day, how the child is feeling and what they have achieved during that day. However, others are limited, providing a timetable of the day’s events. Placement plans are very long documents, which may inhibit their effectiveness as a working tool to provide clear guidance for staff. Some of the children’s records contain institutionalised language, meaning these entries do not provide clear, meaningful records that children could access.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff demonstrate a working knowledge of safeguarding practices, and children said they feel safe at the home. Most safeguarding records evidence appropriate actions taken in response to concerns. However, in respect of one concern, leaders and Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 4 managers did not make the required notification to the local authority designated officer for advice and guidance. This could compromise the safety of children.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children’s behaviour and risk are appropriately managed by staff. Behaviour support plans are updated in light of events, but they would benefit from further detail where staff have noticed a change in a child’s appearance or demeanour. Incident records tell the story of the incident and the subsequent actions taken.

p.4

improvement to be good

Missing-from-home incidents are appropriately managed, and effective action is taken to prevent a recurrence. Good-quality return home interviews have been conducted for all but one incident. Leaders and managers failed to request this interview or chase it when it did not take place.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff recruitment generally follows safer recruitment practices. However, staff are not consistently completing the main recruitment check sheet, which can limit the recruitment auditing process.

p.4

improvement to be good

Checks on agency staff are carried out, and their staff profiles are retained. However, leaders and managers have not identified that three of the agency staff used do not have safeguarding children training.

p.4

good

Since the last inspection, there have been changes in the leadership and management of the home. Currently, the home does not have a registered manager. However, a new manager has recently been appointed. The responsible individual and other senior leaders have supported the home during these leadership changes.

p.4

good

At the time of this inspection, the home was becoming more settled, with several new staff members being appointed and being supported through their induction. However, due to staff changes and vacancies during this inspection period, an additional 24 adults have worked in the home. This does not support good consistency and relationship building for the children. One child has recently made a complaint about this, which is being investigated.

p.4

good

Staff morale is mixed, with those spoken to saying that it is improving but that losing a number of team members has had an impact. Most staff said they feel supported in their roles. They are positive about their peers but said they would like more input and contact with the senior leadership team. Some staff said that on-call arrangements are appropriate, but they also said that some of the on-call staff respond quicker than others.

p.4

good

Concerns raised by staff or about staff are investigated. The quality of these investigations is mixed. Some actions taken are clearly recorded, whereas others, which are handwritten, are not consistently clear and are difficult to read. The Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 5 conclusion of investigations is not always shared with the person subject to the investigation, thereby limiting learning and clarity about actions implemented.

p.4

good

Staff supervision takes place and provides staff with space to reflect on their practice, discuss the children and raise any issues. However, records of these sessions are not of a consistently good quality, particularly in relation to support and monitoring of progress following a concern being raised. Reviews of staff’s personal development plans are not taking place regularly, which does not support the development of the individual or the team.

p.5

good

Staff are provided with induction and ongoing training. Their views about the training are mixed. Some staff shared that they would appreciate behaviour and safeguarding training earlier in their employment and more training specific to the needs of one child.

p.5

good

Notifications to Ofsted are not consistently made as required. Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The 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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.6

Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

p.6

Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

p.6

Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

p.6

Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of 30 September Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 7 exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child’s learning. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x)(b))

p.7

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that safeguarding events are reported to the local authority designated officer as required. 7 July 2023 Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 8 The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

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;

p.8

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.8

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h)) 7 July 2023

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.8

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and 7 July 2023 Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 9 have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In addition, where staff have been subject to any disciplinary process or have raised a grievance, the registered person should ensure these records are of a good quality and the member of staff receives confirmation of the outcome of any investigation.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.9

Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

p.9

Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

p.9

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.9

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

p.9

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

p.9

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 7 July 2023

p.9

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that agency staff have received appropriate safeguarding children training to enable them to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12)  The registered person should ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. The home should take account of the information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 10 arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  The registered person should ensure that all relevant information gathered about

p.9

Recommendations

a child prior to their arrival at the home is included in that child’s initial placement plan. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 57, paragraph 11.8)  The registered person should ensure the home’s records on each child do not contain institutionalised, vague or emotive language. Information should always be recorded in a way that is helpful to the child in understanding their care history. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.10

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: SC046480 11

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Beaufort Care Group Limited

p.11

Children’s home details

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

p.11

Inspector

Wendy Anderson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC046480 12 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.

p.11

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.12

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.12

Inspector

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

p.12