Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC368982 Inspector Rebecca Quested Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Oracle Care Limited Registered person address Unit 1 Dane Valley Mill Havannah Street CONGLETON Cheshire CW12 2AH Responsible individual Steven Bromley Registered manager POST VACANT / Emma Louise Shea Date of last inspection 26/11/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 27/03/2015

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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

The home is currently managed by a new manager who is awaiting registration with Ofsted. The period since the last inspection has been turbulent for the young people as they have needed to move out of the home whilst essential electrical work was undertaken. Unfortunately the young people were unable to be placed together in temporary placements. Young people are experiencing further difficulties due to inconsistent staffing since they have returned to the home. Young people have experienced many changes in staff such that 22 shifts were covered by agency staff in March and there are days when all staff are temporary. Young people complain about this to leaders and managers. A young person said, ‘…I don’t like agency staff as I don’t know them. They don’t do anything, it’s just an extra body. I want consistent staff.’ Young people’s welfare is not promoted.

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This inspection

At the last inspection nine requirements and four recommendations were made. The manager has made progress in meeting most of these and has driven forward some improvements which have impacted positively on young people. Young people benefit from new bathrooms and new furniture and flooring in bedrooms. The manager ensures that there are relevant details held and checks made of people who work in the home. Staff receive training to support them in understanding the specific needs of young people. The manager ensures that all incidents of physical intervention are appropriately recorded. Young people are restrained infrequently and there have been no incidents of young people being missing since the last inspection. Young people’s welfare is safeguarded as a result.

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This inspection

Leaders and managers have not ensured that the maintenance of the outside of the property matches that of the interior. The garden requires re-landscaping after major work installing a septic tank and the drive requires re-laying as the slabs are loose and dangerous. 3 of 6 The manager ensures that the quality of care is regularly reviewed and she has a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. Leaders do not ensure that the manager’s recommendations to address weaknesses are actioned and their reports are sent into Ofsted. As a result, the regulator loses the opportunity to have oversight of the home’s internal monitoring.

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This inspection

The manager and staff endeavour to work effectively with stakeholders. They have achieved some success and relationships with school, therapists and the police are positive. Young people’s outcomes are promoted when this is successful. For example, proactive relationships with the police result in young people being diverted into preventative support and guidance rather than criminalised for aggressive behaviours.

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This inspection

Placing authorities do not always respond to the manager’s robust escalation of shortfalls in basic up to date records or in accessing local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). As a result, young people do not benefit from current and up to date records or having timely access to specialist mental health services.

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This inspection

The Statement of Purpose describes how electronic surveillance is used to promote young people’s welfare by having night door alarms where the risk dictates this. Managers do not ensure that placing authorities consent to their use.

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This inspection

Some young people are making progress despite the difficulties they face receiving inconsistent care. Core staff develop positive relationships with young people which enable them to communicate effectively. Some young people return to school after a long period of dis-engagement and attend fulltime. Staff promote contact with young people’s families where it is in the young person’s interests. For these young people outcomes improve and their emotional resilience is promoted. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/11/2014 Full adequate 21/02/2014 Interim good progress 14/11/2013 Full good 26/02/2013 Interim good 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 each child has access to such psychological and psychiatric advice, treatment and other services as he may require (Regulation 20(2)(b)) 30/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the child's placing authority consents to the use of the use of electronic or mechanical monitoring devices used to safeguard and promote children's welfare is obtained (Regulation 22(1)(a)) 30/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the employment of any persons on a temporary basis at the children's home will not prevent children from receiving such continuity of care as is reasonable to meet their needs (Regulation 25(2)) 30/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the information, documents and records specified in Schedule 3 relating to each child in the children's home are kept up to date (Regulation 28(1)(b)) 30/04/2015 5 of 6 (2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by children are kept clean and reasonably maintained, including the gardens and driveway (Regulation 31(2)(e) 30/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person's review of quality of care is sent to Ofsted. (Regulation 34(2)) 30/04/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

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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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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