Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC368982 Inspection date 26/02/2013 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/12/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in December 2012 the overall rating for the home was judged as good, with one recommendation. Since that time the children’s home has demonstrated good progress. The manager has appropriately addressed the recommendation that young people communicate their views on all aspects of their care and support, with particular regard to the use of physical interventions and the use of sanctions. Young people’s views are now sought and recorded following any significant incident. This means young people are able to express any views they may have in relation to their care.

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Progress

Young people make good progress and develop positively within this home. Professionals and birth parents comment that the quality of care is good and outcomes improve for the young people. One social worker stated, ‘The daily care is very good, they have high standards.’ Young people receive care appropriate to their individual needs to ensure they achieve good outcomes. Care provision includes the provider's education, social and therapeutic staff. This means young people receive a holistic approach to their care which is responsive to individual needs. A knowledgeable and dedicated staff team support young people with all aspects of their development. Young people are safe and state that they feel safe. Levels of safety are good because staff implement the robust and regularly reviewed policies and procedures. In addition, comprehensive risk assessment processes promotes the safety and welfare of young people. Risk assessments are highly individualised and regularly

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Progress

reviewed. This means risks are minimised and safeguarding practice is personalised to each young person. Young people do not go missing from care. However, young people are protected if they are absent from the home. The home has good protocols and procedures to follow should young people go missing, which are implemented appropriately.

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Progress

Some areas of the home are in need of maintenance and refurbishment. This generally relates to maintenance to exterior walls and gardens, the décor and carpeting of the interior of the home and improvements in the kitchen. The current environment does not give children a homely, comfortable environment.

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Progress

Leadership and management arrangements are effective. The home has a development plan in place which reflects practical proposals for continued improvement. Internal and external monitoring processes provide continuous quality assurance which maintains standards of care, while promoting the development of this service. The manager is clear about what is necessary to ensure that young people benefit from improved standards in care.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children’s home used by children, are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained. (Regulation 31 (2)(e)) 31/03/2013

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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.

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