Children's Home run by The Beeches UK limited in Peterborough

Inspection report for children’s home: 2745833 1 Registered provider: The Beeches UK Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately operated and provides support and care for up to six children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma that has left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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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 requires improvement to be 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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2745833 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, there were two children living at the home. One child has recently moved in, and the other has been living at the home since it opened. Both children are making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children and staff have built warm, loving relationships. The children feel secure with the staff. Mealtimes and general conversations are upbeat and enjoyable. Staff listen to the children and encourage them to contribute to all aspects of their home. One of the children said that they liked the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children know that learning is important. The staff encourage children and help them to learn. One child is home tutored by an exceptional teacher. The child enjoys a variety of learning experiences through lessons that are responsive to their learning style. These stimulate and engage the child. The other child has just been accepted into a mainstream school. There is a clear plan to support the child’s reintegration into school. This reflects the child’s wishes and shows that the staff have listened to the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are encouraged to participate in a range of activities. Staff enjoy being in the children’s company and think of stimulating things to do during the weekends and evenings. Both children like to play board games. The children help with preparing and cooking meals. One of the children has recently bought a hamster, which is a popular member of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health is supported through a good diet, plenty of sleep and healthy emotional well-being. Staff attend health appointments with the children. One of the children has been to the dentist for the first time and has participated in medical checks. This is very significant progress for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are sensitive to the needs of the children. They work with them to manage low- mood, anxiety and trauma-related behaviour. There is access to a therapist who specialises in children’s mental health and well-being. She supports the staff to recognise how trauma impacts on children and how to respond with empathy and understanding.

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

Staff know how to manage risk. They work with children to provide new experiences and activities supported by good-quality risk assessments. One of the children is planning for an extended stay with their family for the first time since moving to the home. This has been possible due to the partnership work between the child, staff and social worker, who are all contributing to making this possible. Inspection report for children’s home: 2745833 3 Staff use consequences with children as part of their overall behaviour management. Children’s views are sought as part of managerial oversight. Staff and leaders seek to be fair and consistent in responding to children’s behaviour.

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

The staff use restraints as a last resort. When these are used, they are for the minimum time. The staff encourage children to reflect on the incident, using restorative approaches to maintain relationships.

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

There was a safeguarding incident the evening before the inspection. This has been responded to effectively, and all appropriate agencies have been notified.

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

There are some missing-from-home incidents for one child. Staff understand and implement the missing-from-care protocol appropriately. The social worker praised the staff’s diligence in following the child and helping to keep them safe. Staff understand why the child leaves the home and help the child to make positive choices. The child regularly returns a few minutes after leaving. This is meaningful progress for the child.

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good

The manager is experienced, suitably qualified and child-focused. The deputy manager recently left, giving the manager additional responsibilities. These have reduced her capacity to ensure consistent and effective monitoring of the home.

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good

The systems for notifying Ofsted are not effective. An allegation against a staff member was not notified. Additionally, the allegation was discussed in a staff supervision session, which the manager reviewed and again failed to notify Ofsted of. As a result, Ofsted’s capacity to monitor safeguarding arrangements has been reduced.

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good

There have been two medication errors made. Although these have been identified quickly, the staff have failed to make an accurate record. Staff have received additional training to reduce the risk of further errors.

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good

Staff are positive about the manager, who they described as supportive, understanding and a good role model. Staff said that the manager advocates strongly for the children.

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good

Staff can meet with the home’s therapist, both individually and as a reflective staff team. This helps them explore new strategies to support the children. Being able to share practice and respond therapeutically improves children’s care.

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good

The manager understands the improvements that need to be made and has taken a number of immediate steps to address the shortfalls identified. Both the manager and responsible individual recognise that further improvements will continue to support better practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2745833 4

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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 Childrens Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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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

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 specifically refers to management oversight of allegations about staff and the corresponding supervision records. 13 May 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to staff dispensing medication and making an accurate record of this. 13 May 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— 13 May 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2745833 5 there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c))

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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: 2745833 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Beeches UK Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: SBCH House, 212 Ballards Lane, London N3 2LX

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michelle Robinson

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Inspector

Trudy Potter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2745833 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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