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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1269505 1 Registered provider: Benjamin UK Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately operated and provides care and support for up to 4 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2023.

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Inspection date: 23 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 23 March 2026

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 has 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: 1269505 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

Since the last inspection, 3 children have moved into the home, and 2 children have moved on. During this inspection, the inspector observed 3 children and spoke with 2 of them. One child returned to the care of their parents in line with their local authority care plan. Another child moved to a different home in the organisation due to escalating needs and risks. This move was a joint decision between the manager and the local authority. This child experienced a supported move.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have positive relationships with children and know them very well. Children said they feel safe at the home, and they have staff who they are close to. Observations during the inspection highlighted warm interactions between staff and children. Staff help children develop positive peer relationships through restorative conversations. This helps children feel safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand children’s physical, emotional and mental health needs. When staff identified that a child was experiencing mental health difficulties and deteriorating personal care, they ensured that they received appropriate support and swiftly involved relevant external services. Staff carried out routine welfare checks, and the manager advocated for the child to be visited by mental health professionals at the home to foster engagement. Similarly, the manager has advocated for another child to access specialist medical assessments to inform care planning.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has frequently been missing from home. There has been a significant improvement in staff responses when this child leaves the home without permission. Staff immediately follow and actively look for them in known locations. They inform relevant professionals, including the transport police. Staff request return home interviews, and managers advocate for these conversations to be carried out promptly. The manager has analysed patterns for the child’s missing-from-home incidents and has requested the social worker assess the parents of the child’s friend, whose home the child frequently visits when they are missing.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and managers encourage children to reduce substance misuse. They have reflective conversations with children and make referrals to external agencies. Staff encourage children to engage with professionals. The manager has invited the fire safety and police community support liaison officer to carry out educational sessions with children. The frequency of incidents of substance misuse has reduced.

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Findings from the inspection

Incident records clearly demonstrate management oversight and thoughtful reflection on each event. When there are concerns relating to staff practice, managers respond quickly. They keep children safe and notify relevant professionals. They carry out investigations and identify learning. The manager holds reflective discussions with staff and provides additional training to address any gaps in their Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1269505 3 knowledge. Managers disseminate learning to the wider staff team during meetings. The manager ensured that staff received additional training on topics such as enuresis and allergies for one child. This helps staff to better understand children’s individual needs. The manager has improved the monitoring of staff training and addressed gaps in staff practice through regular supervision sessions.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has enhanced the children’s living environment. The children’s shower room and entrance have been refurbished. The environment is decorated to a good standard. In addition, children said they can access all the areas of their home, which was identified as a concern at the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Several members of staff have failed to achieve their level 3 diploma within the necessary time frame.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager reflected on the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. Three requirements and 4 recommendations from the last inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1269505 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/10/2024 Full Good 26/09/2023 Full Good 31/01/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1269505 5

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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

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014,1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b)) 31 July 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1269505 6

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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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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Natalija Balatunovic

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Inspector

Priscilla Koroka, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1269505 7 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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