Children's Home run by Beacon Residential Homes Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2781318 1 Registered provider: Beacon Residential Homes 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 privately owned and provides care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

The registered manager post has been vacant since 19 August 2024.

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Information about this children's home

This is the first inspection since the home was registered with Ofsted on 17 May 2024.

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Information about this children's home

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since registration: 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. Inspectors have 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 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: 2781318 2

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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

There have been changes in the management of the home since registration as both the registered manager and responsible individual have left. The provider acted promptly to replace the manager but there was an unavoidable delay with this and there were further changes to the responsible individual. During this time, no children were living in the home. Senior managers took the decision to delay the admission of children, and staff were deployed to the company’s other homes.

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Findings from the inspection

There is now a manager in place, who has applied to register with Ofsted. The manager was appointed very recently. She is enthusiastic and knows the staff team well as she has been employed within the company for some time. Staff speak positively of the manager and of the support within the team. Although staff have only been working together in the home for a short time, several of the staff have established good working relationships while working in the provider’s other homes.

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Findings from the inspection

The first child has very recently moved into the home. Before the child moved in, managers considered a range of information to ensure that they could meet their individual needs. They have worked with the placing authority and child to support a positive move.

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Findings from the inspection

The child has been in the home for approximately one week and is making progress in establishing relationships with the staff team. Staff are guided by plans and assessments that provide clear information about the child and their experiences. Staff talk about and to the child with care and respect. They understand the main things that the child needs help with, and are working well with partner agencies to implement the child’s care plan.

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Findings from the inspection

The child spoke positively about living in the home. They said that the rules are fair, and staff are nice and helpful. They have been supported to personalise their room and make changes to communal areas that have helped them to feel more at home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities. There are clear risk assessments in place that consider the child’s vulnerabilities and how to help them be safe. Measures outlined in safety plans have been implemented and these have been updated as needed since the child moved in.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been one incident of concern when the child was distressed in the night. Staff talked to them sensitively to understand what was wrong and help them to feel calmer. There was prompt management oversight and a helpful follow up discussion with the child to reflect and make plans for support. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2781318 3 The regular staff team are up to date with mandatory training as outlined in the company’s statement of purpose. There is a workforce development plan, and the manager has systems in place to help her ensure that staff remain on track with training, qualifications and supervision. Two bank staff who are sometimes used are not covered by these systems, so it is not clear if they are suitably trained, qualified and supported.

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Findings from the inspection

Regular health and safety checks are conducted to monitor the safety of the home. Required risk assessments and reviews are up to date. However, changes in management and the fact that the home has not been in use for much of the period since registration has meant that oversight of some actions has been lacking. Specifically, the action plan from the fire risk assessment has not been fully reviewed and implemented. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2781318 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 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

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the action plan from the fire risk assessment is fully implemented within the timescales in this report unless an alternative timescale is agreed with the fire and rescue authority. 27 November

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they maintain good employment practice in relation to all employees. Specifically, ensure that any bank staff employed to work in the home are suitably qualified, trained and supervised. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards' page 61, paragraph 13.1) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2781318 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Beacon Residential Homes Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: First Floor, 8-12 London Street, Southport, Merseyside PR9 0UE

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Inspector

Jacob Robson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2781318 6 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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