Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC368982 Inspection date 25/01/2012 Inspector Pete Hylton Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 08/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately owned children's home. The home provides care for up to three young people who may present with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Progress

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

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Progress

This home was judged to be outstanding at the last inspection. One recommendation was made and this has been addressed and met.

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Progress

The home continues to make good progress. The manager has an excellent overview of events in the home and following the recommendation from the last inspection, has written a policy governing the use of electronic monitoring devices. This policy is clear and effective. The recommendation is therefore met.

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Progress

Young people continue to make good progress with their education placements. All young people are engaged in appropriate and purposeful education or training. Where there are concerns about achievement or enjoyment, the home is quick to act. Staff support young people with making progress and effectively advocate for them where necessary. Furthermore, the staff team have worked hard to identify opportunities for young people to engage in positive activities. Relationships with external support agencies continue to benefit the young people. Relationships between young people and their families are actively promoted and in some instances, have improved with overnight stays now happening.

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Progress

The manager is committed to developing the service and maintaining the highest standards of care. This reflects in changes to the environment to suit the needs of the young people. For example, young people are now expressing an interest in specific fitness activities. The home has been adapted to meet these needs with space created for the storage of fitness equipment. The manager commented that ‘we develop the home as the young people grow’ and this is reflected in the progress that young people make.

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Progress

Monitoring of the home is effective and identifies areas for improvement. Regular visits by the organisation ensure that issues are identified and resolved. This means that the home is regularly and effectively scrutinised. The staff team are now using a communication book which has further enhanced communication between the staff team. Although this was not noted to be a weakness of the home at the last inspection, staff are now communicating more effectively. Similarly, young people are regularly and appropriately involved in staff meetings. This further adds to the active consultation that takes place with young people. The safety of young people continues to be a priority for the manager and staff. Where young people experience particular risks, they are well managed and appropriately reviewed with relevant professionals. Young people benefit from consultation over risk assessments and these are appropriately shared with those

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Progress

with a need to know. The home environment continues to offer a safe and appropriately secure environment.

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Progress

Young people continue to enjoy free and promoted access to external support services. The home’s phone is freely available to use and a notice board contains telephone numbers for a range of support services. The young person’s guide, however, does not contain the contact details for the Children’s Rights Director. Furthermore, the contact details for Ofsted are out of date. A recommendation has therefore been made to address this. The home continues to address cultural awareness through regular themed events and topics. For example, the Chinese New Year and Burns Night have recently been discussed and explored with young people.

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Progress

There have been few changes in staffing since the last inspection. Where new staff have joined the team, they are regularly and effectively supported. The talents of the staff team are utilised to further provide opportunities for the young people. For example, where staff have particular skills in outwards bound activities, these are used with the young people. The staff team remain committed to providing high standards of care to the young people. Relationships are highly positive and young people enjoy spending time with staff and each other.

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Progress

Young people are fully supported in developing interests outside of the home. For example, young people enjoy attending clubs and societies. The independence skills of young people are developed in line with age and understanding. The home has made changes to the kitchen cupboards, for example, to accommodate young people completing their own cooking and shopping tasks. Independence is fully promoted in the home and regularly reviewed.

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Progress

Young people enjoy living at the home and this is reflected in the low number of incidents of challenging behaviour. Furthermore, there have been no restraints and few sanctions since the last inspection. Where sanctions are applied, they are fair, consistent and young people are able to express their feelings and views in the records kept by the home. Rewards for positive behaviour are reviewed and amended in line with young people's ages and developmental needs. For example, young people are able to work towards having the cost of driving lessons met in return for specific tasks being completed in the home.

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 ensure that the guide includes a summary of what the home sets out to do for children, how they can find out their rights, how a child can contact their Independent Reviewing Officer, the Children's Rights Director, Ofsted if they wish to raise a concern with inspectors, and how to secure access to an independent advocate. (NMS 13.5)

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