Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home: SC357981 1 SC357981 Registered provider: Benecare Limited 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 for up to four children who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC357981 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/07/2022 Full Good 10/01/2022 Full Good 09/07/2019 Full Good 11/12/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC357981 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The care provided and the overall experiences of the children are good. Presently, there are three teenage children living in the home. There is a strong ethos adopted by staff to prepare the children for independence as they get older.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Plans for the children are individualised and detailed. These plans provide staff with the essential information they need to understand and care for the children. Plans are updated regularly and reflect what is happening in the children’s day-to-day lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All the children attend education. One child, with the support of staff, has recently secured local employment. The manager and staff have high expectations for children, which they respond well to. The home is a busy place, with children coming in and out and attending various activities, including going to college, work, horse- riding or seeing friends. The staff ratio is high to ensure the children are able to lead these highly active lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children and staff have positive relationships. Children’s views are valued and regularly sought. Children complete monthly wishes and feelings reports with their keyworker, where they can discuss issues that are important to them, for example their relationships with peers, home improvements or any complaints.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The importance of planned moves is understood by staff. When children move on, they are supported by staff to move to their new accommodation. Some children have remained in touch. There have been two situations where children have moved in and out of the home in an unplanned way. The adverse effect this has had on children and staff is understood by the manager and deputy manager. The manager has looked at lessons learned in these cases.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is comfortable and modern in most areas. Children’s rooms are generally personalised. However, one child had not yet settled, despite good support from staff. As the child settles, improvements to her personal space are being made.

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

The importance of safeguarding is well understood by staff. The children have numerous and comprehensive risk assessments. These reports are reviewed regularly and updated information is written clearly for staff to follow. The children in the home are teenagers, and staff are sensitive to their increasing need to self-determine while at the same time protecting their vulnerability.

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

Children rarely go missing from home, but when they do, staff follow the children’s risk assessments and protocols. Children are supported by staff when they return home. Staff undertake prompt conversations with the children to try to find out why Inspection report for children’s home: SC357981 4 and where they went and reassure themselves that the children did not come to harm. These conversations help keep children safe.

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

Children know how to make complaints and the complaints process is visible in the home. One child has recently made a complaint about not having a summer holiday. They have been supported to do this by staff. This has yet to be responded to, but staff forwarded the complaint to senior leaders. The child spoke confidently about the process.

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

Many aspects relating to adolescence have emerged, sometimes leading to situations where children find themselves at greater risk such as, sexual exploitation and drug misuse. Staff are highly alert to these safeguarding issues and particular risks for the children in their care. The staff engage in numerous and meaningful key-work sessions with the children to try to help them better understand risk and keep themselves safe.

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

Systems are in place to ensure that staff working in the home are safely recruited. When agency staff are employed, thorough systems are in place to evaluate their suitability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is highly ambitious for the children in his care, and he is closely supported by a conscientious deputy manager. The two managers’ styles complement each other, which children and staff all respond well to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a strong advocate for the children. He promotes their rights with both external agencies and senior leaders in the organisation. Children know this and have confidence in him. They consequently feel seen and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff and children speak positively about the manager. Two children said that he is ‘the best thing’ about living in the home. Partner professionals and family members praised the manager’s communication and partnership working with them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and deputy managers are reflective. They understand the influence they have on the lived experiences of the children in their care. The manager immediately addressed the poor state of one child’s room and how staff monitor the children’s dietary intake. The managers dynamically reassessed the children’s needs and revised their approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and deputy manager ensure staff receive regular supervision, and annual appraisals take place. Inspection report for children’s home: SC357981 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: SC357981 6

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Patricia Clinton

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Inspector

Jane Balfe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC357981 7 regulates and inspects 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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