Children's home run by Beacon Childcare Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546172 1 Registered provider: Beacon Childcare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private organisation and is registered to provide care for up to three children who have suffered early childhood trauma and have associated social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in November 2019. The registered manager is experienced and holds the level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager also registered in January 2023 to manage another children’s home that is operated by the same organisation and provides care for one child.

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546172 2 well it complies with The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546172 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home. Staff are supporting this child to settle in and build relationships with the staff team and the other child also living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is a large house with lots of space for children. There are communal areas for the children to relax or do activities of their choice. Staff have forged positive relationships with the children. Children are encouraged to develop their interests, such as producing music; technology was purchased to encourage this.

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Findings from the inspection

Children attend school, and incentives are introduced to encourage them to attend. If children do not attend school, they are supported by staff to engage in education at home. Prompt discussions with relevant professionals take place so that children can returned to school when possible.

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Findings from the inspection

Children said that they feel safe living in their home and can talk openly with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been two incidents where staff have used physical intervention. The manager has reviewed these incidents. Recording of incidents is clear. There have been appropriate discussions with children following the incidents so that they can express their views about the intervention. Following one incident, the manager also facilitated a discussion between the child and staff involved to help to restore their relationship.

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Findings from the inspection

When children go missing from home, staff follow children’s plans to keep them safe. However, shortfalls were found in the recording of missing-from-home incidents. The home’s records of one incident were unclear and lacked detail. Furthermore, when children spend time away from the home, the manager has not consulted with key agencies so that they know who the child spends regular time with. The arrangements to reduce the risk of harm are not yet consistent to ensure that children are consistently safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are encouraged to learn about risks and have done a range of training to improve their knowledge. This increases their safety when they are at home and while they are out in the community.

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Findings from the inspection

When children require help, staff make referrals to external agencies to arrange support for children. The manager referred one child to the local fire service to seek support regarding fire setting. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546172 4 The registered manager recognises that further training is required so that staff can meet the needs of the children living at the home. The manager has arranged for the relevant training to take place.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has internal monitoring systems in place to identify strengths and areas for development. However, these systems did not identify shortfalls regarding a child’s care when the child went missing from home. The registered manager is aware that their internal monitoring systems require improvement so that they have better oversight of staff practice.

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Findings from the inspection

When the manager and responsible individual have concerns about staff practice, they follow the correct procedures and, if necessary, conduct internal investigations. This practice ensures that children are safeguarded. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546172 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/05/2022 Full Good 26/04/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546172 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this refers to staff ensuring that they understand potential risks, minimise risks and follow children’s risk assessments when they go missing from home. 2 June 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

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Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 2 June 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546172 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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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)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to the manager ensuring that staff have a consistent approach to children’s care.

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Requirement Due date

It also relates to the manager ensuring that they use internal monitoring systems more effectively. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546172 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Beacon Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 28 Phoenix Business Park, Avenue Close, Birmingham B7 4NU

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Inspector

Charlotte Love, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2546172 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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