Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC066912 Inspection date 19/01/2012 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 13/10/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

p.3

About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

p.3

The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

p.3

Brief description of the service

This privately owned home provides accommodation for up to two young people. The home caters for young people who may display emotional or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

p.4

Progress

This home was judged to be outstanding at its last full inspection in October 2011. The home has made excellent progress and young people continue to receive an outstanding quality of care. Two requirements were made at the last inspection. Both requirements have been addressed and met in full.

p.4

Progress

The registered person was required to provide a telephone for young people to make and receive calls without reference to staff. A telephone has been installed in the home’s communal area. This means that young people are now able to make and receive telephone calls in private. This has further improved the quality of care.

p.4

Progress

The registered person was also required to ensure that all parts of the home to which young people have access are kept clean, maintained and reasonably decorated. This related specifically to the garden of the home. The garden is much improved and recent redecoration of the house has further enhanced its warm and comfortable feel. Young people now benefit from a home which is exceptionally well maintained, clean and well decorated.

p.4

Progress

There have been no restraints since the last inspection. Furthermore, there have been no sanctions or incidents in the home. Young people are kept safe and continue to have positive views about their care. A young person commented that they were, ‘very happy at the house.’

p.4

Progress

The monitoring of the home continues to be highly effective. Visits to the home by the organisation show continuing improvements to the home. For example, these include the recent redecoration and improvements to the exterior of the property. The manager’s own monitoring is robust and effective. The manager keeps an excellent overview of the home and is constantly striving to improve the service offered. Similarly, the staff team is committed to improving outcomes for young people. For example, the staff team supported a young person in saving up monies to purchase specialist equipment for an outdoor-based activity.

p.4

Progress

Care planning for young people remains highly positive. Young people are assessed on a daily basis on how they are meeting their care plan targets. This means that young people's care plans are current and up to date. Furthermore, changes to the care plan are made when young people demonstrate that they can meet the set target. This also helps young people to develop the necessary skills for independent living. Regular reviews with social workers, therapists and young people ensure that relevant matters are shared. However, there have been a few occasions where daily entries have not been made on these daily target records. This has not had a negative impact on the outcomes for young people.

p.4

Progress

The staff team is stable and highly experienced. There have been no changes to the staff team and no new staff have been recruited. This means that young people receive continuous care, and that relationships between staff and young people continue to be a real strength of the home. There is a genuine feeling of mutual respect in the home and the staff team is committed to providing high levels of care at all times.

p.5

Progress

Young people continue to make excellent progress in all areas of their lives. School attendance is fully promoted and the staff continue to work closely with education providers to support young people. Young people remain fully supported in maintaining contact with friends and family. Where young people choose not to maintain these links, the home works hard to build relationships between young people and their families. Proactive work from the staff team has meant that young people can now access a wider range of activities in, and outside of, the home. For example, the home has secured parental consent for young people to take part in activities. This has led to improved outcomes for young people.

p.5

Progress

Young people remain fully supported in their activities outside of education. The staff team ensures that young people are encouraged to explore their interests and engage in local community activities. A young person commented that the, ‘home is really helping me to get to where I want to go.’

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that the home has and implements a written policy that clarifies the purpose, format and content of information to be kept on the registered person's files and information to be kept on the child's files. Records may be kept in electronic form, provided the information so recorded is capable of being reproduced in a legible form. In addition, that staff understand the nature of records maintained and follow the home's policy for keeping and retention of files, managing confidential information, and access to files (including files removed from the premises). There is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping and take action where needed. (NMS 22)

p.5