Children's Home run by Benjamin UK Ltd in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1236832 1 Registered provider: Benjamin 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 privately run home offers therapeutic support, education and care for up to four 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 children can access education from the same provision on site.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector only inspected the social care provision at this site.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 4 June 2024. He is currently working towards a relevant level 5 qualification in residential childcare.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1236832 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/03/2024 Full Good 26/04/2022 Full Good 05/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1236832 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since moving into the home, the child currently living in the home has made significant progress. Staff consider the child’s therapeutic needs well. The staff provide bespoke support strategies that address identified risks and work well for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to participate in direct key-work sessions. Staff use social stories and a picture board to help the child process and reflect on the child’s experiences. This has encouraged the child to develop a sense of safety and contributed to increased emotional resilience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child said that staff ‘are good to me, I don’t want anything to change.’ This sentiment reflects the nurturing and safe environment that has been created for the child. The child feels confident to share their thoughts and talk openly about their experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is receiving one-to-one education on site provided by the provision. Staff support the child to attend group physical activities as part of their education. Additionally, staff support the child to access community activities, such as basketball, attending the gym and swimming. These opportunities have enabled the child to feel confident and form positive relationships with peers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively communicate with external agencies, including health professionals and the placing authority. This collaborative approach has ensured that the child receives the necessary specialist support to meet their health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to have regular family time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children are introduced to the home and/or move on, this is carefully planned to ensure that the transition is smooth for the child.

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

The staff have developed risk assessments and behaviour management plans that are coherent and clearly aligned to ensure the child’s safety and emotional well-being. Each plan is written directly to the child, reflecting a personalised approach that places the child’s voice at the heart of safeguarding planning.

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

Any behaviours that are risk related are consistently reviewed following each incident. The child’s plans are updated accordingly, and this ensures that staff are well informed about any necessary actions and expectations.

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

Since the last inspection here has been a sustained reduction in behavioural incidents, evidencing the effectiveness of current support strategies. When incidents do occur, they Inspection report for children’s home: 1236832 4 are promptly recorded, ensuring transparency and accountability. Each incident is followed by a reflective key-work session. This enables the child to explore both the positive and negative aspects of the situation. This therapeutic approach is helping the child to develop emotional insight and articulate their needs more effectively. These approaches have been successful in contributing to the child’s overall progress and well- being.

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

There have been two minor missing-from-home episodes, both of which have been sensitively explored with the child. These reflective discussions have supported the child to understand the safety and consequences of the child’s actions, leading to the child developing emotional insight and personal responsibility.

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

All staff undergo rigorous and appropriate employment checks before permanent employment, ensuring a safe environment for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has demonstrated consistent and determined leadership. The manager drives noteworthy progress in ensuring that children receive high-quality, individualised support. Through ambitious visit the manager has been able to develop a supportive and cohesive staff team. This has resulted in a strong ethos of care, which prioritises children’s well-being, safety and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has grown in confidence and now demonstrates a strong, assured leadership presence. There are regular meetings with senior managers that focus on the commitment to driving high standards of care, safeguarding and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are empowered to deliver consistently high standards of care through regular, reflective supervision sessions and relevant training. During team meetings, staff can reflect on their practice and seek learning opportunities. This demonstrates a strong culture of safeguarding and continuous professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff career progression is supported through supervision sessions, with goals and targets clearly linked to individual development plans. This approach empowers staff to grow confidently in their roles, enhancing their skills. As a result, the home benefits from a motivated and competent workforce, which contributes to the delivery of high-quality care and improved outcomes for children.

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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: 1236832 5 Inspection report for children’s home: 1236832 6

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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

Shaheda Dhandia, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1236832 7 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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