Children's Home run by Barnardo’s in Oxfordshire

Unique reference number SC013143 Inspection date 15/03/2012 Inspector Michael Williams Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 25/10/2011 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

This service is run by a national children's charity. It provides full-time and shared care for up to five children who have a severe learning disability and challenging behaviours.

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Progress

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

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Progress

The previous full inspection of the service in October 2011 judged the home's overall effectiveness to be good. This inspection found that 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 inspection. The previous inspection did not require or recommend the service to take any action to improve the quality and standards of care further.

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Progress

The previous inspection reported that the service was in the process of amending their guidance and records relating to behaviour management. This was to ensure correlation with recent amendments made to the national minimum standards, regulations and guidance for children's homes. These matters have now been addressed and implemented. As a result, there are improvements in the quality of information recorded. This enables better monitoring and evaluation of practice in relation to any incidents of challenging behaviour.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, improvements have been made to the décor, including the re-decoration of three of the five young people's bedrooms. These improvements have made the physical environment even more suitable for young people.

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Progress

As outlined within the home’s operational contract monitoring report, there is an increased focus on achieving positive outcomes for young people. Staff now better evaluate and encourage opportunities to enhance young people’s potential. They identify outcomes for each young person and continually assess, monitor and celebrate their progress in achieving them. Electronic and paper recording forms enable staff to track whether or not young people are making progress towards meeting their intended outcomes on a daily and monthly basis. As a result, the home continually promotes young people's welfare and development.

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Progress

Staff continue to use handover sessions very well to improve the consistency of care for young people. For example, during this inspection the scheduled staff handover comprehensively focused on promoting each young person's individual needs, in areas such as their health, family contact and positive behaviour. This is one of the ways in which the home has maintained its quality of care and outcomes for young people.

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