Children's Home run by Benecare Limited in Kent

Inspection report for children’s home: SC465579 1 SC465579 Registered provider: Benecare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to three children. Its statement of purpose states that it provides care for children between the ages of eight and 18 who experience social and emotional difficulties. Three children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2 December 2021.

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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: SC465579 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/01/2023 Full Good 08/12/2021 Full Good 28/01/2020 Full Good 11/03/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC465579 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is vibrant, spacious and well maintained. There are two pet cats, and children are supported by staff to care for them. Children are encouraged to share their views on the development of the home and take responsibility for their bedrooms. One child has recently had their room repainted to a colour of their choice and new strip lighting has been installed. As a result, the child displays pride in their bedroom, promoting a sense of achievement and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged by staff to access local clubs and hobbies. Staff take time to research local activities based on known interests of children. Regular activities attended by children include Sea Cadets and swimming. Children who may be reluctant to attend new activities are gently encouraged by staff to do so. For example, one child was recently supported by staff to attend a local music group for the first time. This is a positive achievement for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children regularly attend medical appointments and are encouraged to look after their own health. Staff support children to understand risks to their health, such as alcohol and smoking. Referrals are made to relevant health services where additional support may benefit children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. This move was very well planned. The needs of the child and those living in the home were carefully considered, to ensure that the needs of the children were compatible. As a result, the child experienced a positive move into the home. One family member spoken to commented on how well their child has settled since moving into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child currently attends school and is making excellent progress. However, two children living at the home do not currently access education or training. Staff support them to engage in home-based learning activities. An in-house tutor provides one child with weekly support in cooking, and they are making progress in this. The registered manager is taking steps to seek suitable educational provision for children and remains in regular contact with relevant professionals. However, there is insufficient urgency in relation to following up enquiries to ensure that suitable education placements are found as soon as possible for these two children.

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

Staff recognise and understand individual risks for children. They invest time to get to know children and their interests, promoting positive relationships. Where appropriate, children receive therapeutic support to enable them to safely explore their behaviours. Identified strategies are shared for staff to ensure a well-informed and consistent approach to care. This creates a safe environment within the home for children to explore and understand their behaviour, without fear of judgement. Inspection report for children’s home: SC465579 4 Staff support children who are at risk of criminal exploitation effectively. Key-work discussions promote honest conversations, enabling children to reflect on their actions in order to understand the impact on others and the law. The registered manager maintains a close partnership with the local police community support officer, who has attended the home to support children in understanding the risks of

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

knife crime and threatening behaviour. As a result, one child’s risk-taking behaviours have considerably reduced.

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

Staff take effective action when children go missing from home. Safety plans are detailed and inform an appropriate response from staff. Professionals and external agencies are contacted within agreed timescales, promoting effective partnership working. Positive relationships between children and staff enable reflective and open conversations to explore reasons why a child may be going missing. Consequently, one child’s incidents of going missing from home have greatly reduced.

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

Incidents involving the use of physical intervention are low and only used as a last resort. Staff are skilled at supporting children who are in crisis, and they are usually able to calm conflict situations effectively. The registered manager thoroughly reviews all incidents, reflects on practice and identifies appropriate follow-on actions. Social workers are promptly notified following incidents, promoting an open and transparent approach to safeguarding practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is visible in the home and is an approachable leader for children and staff. She recognises and celebrates children’s progress and demonstrates a child-focused approach in her decision-making. Her interactions with children demonstrate warmth and compassion. As a result, children have developed the confidence to discuss their worries and concerns with the registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and effective supervision. This enables staff to reflect on their practice, discuss the current needs of children and identify areas for personal development. Safeguarding is always discussed, and knowledge is refreshed through scenario-based questions. Staff report that they feel supported by the management team and that they can openly approach managers to discuss any concerns they may have.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager works closely with external professionals. Professionals spoken to report of effective communication and information-sharing. The manager appropriately challenges and advocates strongly for children. For example, the registered manager recently challenged a professional for an inaccurate description of a child’s behaviour in one of their care plans. The document was appropriately revised following this challenge, resulting in an accurate and positive reflection of the child’s identified needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment of staff is robust, with all relevant checks completed in detail. The home’s interview process is delivered to a high standard and includes questions from Inspection report for children’s home: SC465579 5 children living in the home. Some of these questions explore candidates’ views on themes including tolerance, equality and diversity. This is excellent practice and ensures that staff who are employed at the home share values that are important for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager maintains effective oversight of the home. She recognises the home’s strengths and areas for development. However, current review and monitoring systems do not allow for effective monitoring of children’s progress. As a result, information is not readily available to keep a keen focus on supporting children to achieve their goals Inspection report for children’s home: SC465579 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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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 exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(viii)) 8 April 2024

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each 22 April 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC465579 7 child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure systems are in place to demonstrate a good management oversight of the progress that children are making.

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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: SC465579 8

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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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Inspectors

Chris Warren, Social Care Inspector Mark Newington, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC465579 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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