Children's Home run by Barnardo’s in Oxfordshire

Unique reference number SC069128 Inspection date 13/03/2012 Inspector Michael Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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

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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

The service opened in February 2007 and caters for a maximum of six children and young people at any one time, including one emergency bed. It provides a residential short break service and a domiciliary care service that is inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

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Brief description of the service

The service is provided by a national charity in partnership with a local authority and a primary care trust. Children and young people can therefore be provided with care and health packages. Most of the children and young people using the service have complex health needs, or are on the autistic spectrum and have associated challenging behaviour.

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Progress

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

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Progress

The service has maintained the quality of care and outcomes for young people that were respectively judged to be outstanding and good at the previous full inspection in October 2011.

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Progress

The previous inspection required the home to take the following action: to ensure its written policy and procedure regarding child protection arrangements meet the requirements of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 and reflect the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) arrangements. The home's safeguarding and protecting children procedures were updated accordingly. They now reflect and make explicit reference to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010 and the LSCB procedures, to provide even more effective protection for children.

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Progress

The previous inspection reported that the Registered Manager was in the process of amending the recording of any measure of control, restraint or discipline used in the home. This was as a result of recent amendments to the regulation, guidance and national minimum standards for children's homes regarding behaviour management. The home's recording of such measures has now been amended accordingly. It is now also in line with the provider's new procedure for recording incidents, superficial injury and restrictive physical intervention.

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Progress

The previous inspection reported that the service was refurbishing the building, both inside and out, to improve the quality of the environment for young people. This refurbishment has now been completed. Some general redecoration and the fitting of a suitable shower bench provide an even more suitable physical environment for the young people. The previous inspection reported that the Registered Manager and her deputy spoke positively about the new arrangements in place for staff supervision. They continue to speak positively about these arrangements. Supervisory responsibilities have widened and as a result, staff supervision helps to provide the support staff need to meet young people's needs.

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Progress

During this inspection, a scheduled staff handover took place to promote consistency of care for the young people between members of the staff team. It focused on meeting incoming young people's health needs and promoting their educational achievement. The staff handover was followed by extensive shift planning that covered diverse areas. For example, staff discussed cooking tea, allocating a member of staff to each young person, young people’s medication needs and activity interests. The meeting also made dedicated plans for one young person who was having an emergency residential short break.

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Progress

The Registered Manager explained that since the last inspection, more of the young people receiving residential short breaks have significant health needs. For example, 10 young people need nursing staff on site. The home is developing their fifth advanced care plan for a young person with very complex health needs, which includes close liaison with family members and healthcare professionals. As a result, the Registered Manager and responsible individual are going to revisit Ofsted and CQC guidance regarding the dual registration of healthcare at children's homes.

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