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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC414738 1 SC414738 Registered provider: Benjamin UK 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 is registered to provide care for up to four children.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 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: 6 December 2022

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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

06/12/2022 Full Good 01/09/2021 Full Good 10/09/2019 Full Good 19/02/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC414738 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have created a positive, child-centred culture and children benefit from sensitive care and support. As a result, children feel safe, which helps them to make good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from being looked after by a dedicated team of staff who are passionate and focused on improving their welfare and life chances. Consequently, children learn how to build and maintain positive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are offered a range of social experiences, including holidays. All children have life-story books which include photos and capture significant life events. Achievements are routinely celebrated, and children are praised for their successes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to express their wishes and feelings and are routinely consulted on decisions about their lives. There is a strong focus on helping children to develop life skills and this is embedded into the culture of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well decorated and has a homely feel. Children enjoy their surroundings because the environment has been adapted in accordance with their wishes, talents and interests. For example, there is a gaming room which encourages social interaction and communication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in bespoke education packages arranged by the organisation’s school. The overall approach is well structured and enables children to learn in their individual styles. One child is currently undertaking a further education course in health and social care, attributing their wish to do this to the impact of positive staff role models they have experienced during their time in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health and well-being are priorities for staff. Children can participate in food preparation and cooking in the home. This is often a group activity and children appreciate the opportunity this gives them to spend time with each other and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

An inclusive culture enables children to explore their developing sense of identity and to be happy as themselves. Religious festivals are celebrated even when these are not directly related to children’s individual identity. This teaches children that diversity is welcomed and enjoyed.

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

Managers and staff demonstrate good safeguarding knowledge and respond effectively when concerns arise. Children’s risk assessments are comprehensive and routinely updated. As a result, they describe what staff need to do to prioritise children’s safety. Inspection report for children’s home: SC414738 4 Staff help children to become increasingly safe. In one example, a staff member creatively used key-work sessions to help a child to learn about personal space.

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

At times when children’s behaviour causes concern, staff work closely with the organisation’s therapy team to ensure that children receive therapeutic support. Strategies for staff to follow to keep children safe are promptly identified.

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

Children say that they feel safe and settled in the home. Feedback from children’s social workers is positive, particularly in relation to the thorough and thoughtful processes which are followed to help children feel safe when they first move in.

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

Children benefit from relationships with trusted adults and regularly seek out staff for assistance and advice. Staff are attuned to children’s needs and value the opportunity to improve outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a strong and aspirational leader who puts children at the centre of her work. Effective management monitoring and oversight enable the registered manager to have a good understanding of children’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are highly complimentary of the manager’s decision-making when considering the suitability of children to live together. Three children moved into the home in a short space of time. Careful planning, including seeking children’s views, has led to good matching. The result is a positive atmosphere in the home because children live harmoniously together.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children’s case records are comprehensive and kept up to date. There are multiple examples of case recordings and reports that are completed in a first-person narrative. Should children access their files in the future, this approach will show children that they were valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has high aspirations for children’s development and overall welfare. One child said the registered manager is, ‘The best manager ever, she couldn’t do more.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment processes are followed, which reduces the risk of unsuitable adults being employed to work at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well informed because they have access to a range of core and specialist training that assists them to meet children’s diverse needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Despite otherwise good management practice, the registered manager has not carried out a timely review of the quality of care provided to children and submitted it to the regulator as required by The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. This means that the registered manager has not demonstrated that she has a well- rounded view of the impact the care is having on children’s outcomes. Inspection report for children’s home: SC414738 5 On one occasion since the last inspection, leaders and managers agreed that the independent person did not need to come to the home to carry out their monthly visit. As a result, the provider has not demonstrated an understanding of the importance of monthly visits by an independent person to ensure that children’s safety and well-being are being promoted. Inspection report for children’s home: SC414738 6

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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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. (Regulation 44 (1)) 8 January 2024

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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.

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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. (Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a)) 30 December

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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 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Benjamin UK Limited

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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

Ashley Edwards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC414738 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 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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