Children's Home run by Barnardo’s in Oxfordshire

Unique reference number SC013143 Inspector Emeline Evans Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Barnardo's Registered person address Barnardos, Head Office Tanners Lane, Barkingside ILFORD Essex IG6 1QG Responsible individual Julie Carole Gibbard Registered manager Carolyn Jane Farmer Date of last inspection 21/10/2014 2 of 7 Inspection date 02/03/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

In recent months, the management team have focused on meeting the previous requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. They have also worked hard on developing the staff team and embedding practice. The manager is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and has formulated development plans to focus on improving the quality of care.

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This inspection

Staff work in partnership with parents and professionals to assess young people’s needs prior to coming to the home. There has only been one transition into the home since the last inspection. This was managed remarkably well by staff. The young person visited the home prior to moving in and meetings and paperwork were obtained before the young person moved in. This practice enables staff to be clearly informed of the support each young person requires.

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This inspection

The home has improved the recording of any measure of control. It was highlighted at the last inspection that the use of ‘time out’ was not being recorded as a measure of control. The home has been working with the staff team to look at the use of this sanction and this has resulted in a reduction in the use of the measure; all recording is now in line with regulations. There has been an emphasis on changing the culture on the use of ‘time out’. When young people are upset the staff team are currently making a decision and directing young people to an area to calm. However, the young people have not been involved in these decisions or able to make a choice to where they want to be able to go. Behaviour management protocols and care planning does not currently incorporate young people’s views in this area. Some pages in the volume for recording physical interventions and measures of control are becoming detached and not fixed securely. Therefore, important paperwork

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This inspection

concerning the young person could be misplaced. In addition, not all sanction records are included in the young people's case records, which is important information for young people to access in the future. Recently a system has been 3 of 7 developed to enable the staff member with behaviour management responsibility to enter the data on a computer spreadsheet. This is a sound system, which enables effective monitoring to take place and trends and patterns to be analysed. The organisation has updated the behaviour management policy to include all the required information and this is now available to staff.

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This inspection

Planning and risk assessment documents have been reviewed and now include additional information to ensure they highlight the reasons why certain measures are used. This specifically relates to the use of listening monitors and door alarms in the bedrooms for the purpose of safeguarding certain young people. In addition, consent has now been sought from the placing authorities. The home has developed action sheets following statutory reviews and this now ensures decisions made are fully incorporated into care planning.

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This inspection

The home works effectively in partnership with external agencies such as health services and parents. Allegations, or suspicions of harm, are promptly shared with external safeguarding agencies for consultation and appropriate action taken. The organisation has reviewed the safeguarding policy and has included information in relation to child sexual exploitation. However, the local authority designated officer (LADO) has requested further changes to be made to the policy. These changes have yet to be finalised and returned for further comment to the LADO.

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This inspection

At the last inspection, a requirement was made to improve recruitment records. The policy and procedure for the recruitment and vetting of staff has been followed. Clarification has been sought with regard to the gaps identified in one recruitment file and the organisation’s policy confirms further checks are undertaken if a member of staff has lived outside the United Kingdom. This demonstrates good recruitment practice.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been significant improvements to the environment. Re-decoration has taken place in a number of areas. The home has taken action to ensure all parts of the home are free from hazards to young people’s health and safety. Window restrictors are now checked every day and the replacement of all the windows is scheduled within the next week.

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This inspection

Staff have recently attended training in supervising and facilitating contact visits and were complimentary about the training package. There has been a delay in enrolling staff on the required level 3 qualifications and senior managers continue to pursue their options. Staff report that they feel well supported and encouraged to develop their confidence in ways of working. This promotes continuous improvement in how young people's care is being addressed.

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This inspection

The suitably qualified and experienced Registered Manager effectively leads the staff team. Staff are confident in their roles and key workers well informed on the needs and progress of their key child. The monitoring systems in place review the quality of care that young people receive and identify areas where outcomes for young 4 of 7 people may be improved. The internal monitoring taking place by the manager now reflects an awareness of key issues and clearly identifies patterns and trends. Monitoring is robust and effective.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, much work has been done to evaluate the current level of service and to plan ahead for future developments in the coming year. Staff are genuinely enthusiastic about the care of young people and there is a demonstrable commitment to providing a good service. 5 of 7

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Information about this children’s home

This children's home is registered to accommodate six children and young people who have a learning and/or physical disability. The service is delivered and managed by a national charitable organisation.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/10/2014 Full adequate 20/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 15/08/2013 Full good 10/12/2012 Interim satisfactory progress

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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 a record of the date and circumstances of any measures of control, restraint or discipline used on a child accommodated in the home is included in children's case records. (Regulation 28, Schedule 3) 01/04/2015

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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 all children are able to communicate their wishes in all aspects of their care and support, in particular in strategies for behaviour management (NMS 1.3) 6 of 7  update the organisation's safeguarding policy and also forward a copy of the updated policy to the local authority designated officer (LADO) for approval (Statutory guidance, vol 5, para 2.67)  ensure the learning and development programme is evaluated for effectiveness at least annually, this specifically refers to; level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare is sped up (NMS 18.2)  ensure records are kept securely and in a permanent form; in particular, that records of physical intervention cannot become detached. (NMS 22) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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