Children's Home run by Barnardo’s in Oxfordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people continue to benefit greatly from their short break stays. Some, more able, young people develop practical living skills, for example learning to clean their teeth effectively, cutting their food up and eating more independently and for some their sleeping patterns improve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The experience of being away from their family in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment provides young people with a good opportunity to build relationships and develop confidence in their abilities. A parent said their child had, ‘really moved forward; she does so much more for herself.’ A social worker said they know the young person they work with loves going as ‘he always has big smiles when he is there.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents are fully involved in developing the detailed plans for their child’s care; there is a strong presumption that parents are the people who know their child the best. There is a robust approach taken to risk assessment; assessments are highly individualised to meet the varied and complex needs of the young people. Plans for supporting children to manage their behaviour are also detailed and are used effectively by staff to defuse situations and support young people who are distressed. Physical interventions are rarely used and then of a low level in order to guide a young person away from a situation. Achievements are greeted with high levels of praise. This makes young people proud of their achievements and provides them with an incentive to further achieve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Support for young people commencing short beaks in the home or who are transitioning into adult services is of a high quality. For example, a social worker spoke about how staff carried out an excellent piece of work with a young person, who was initially very distressed when going for a short break. The worker explained that he has very complex health and behavioural needs and an inability, other than showing distress, to express his wishes. Staff worked closely with his carers in the community and developed a clear idea about what does and does not work for the young person. From this they have been able to establish very clear routines for him that help him feel safe and his social worker said, ‘he now goes in with no fuss.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are of a high calibre and are very caring, nurturing and knowledgeable about each young person’s complex needs. A parent said, ‘they just get to know the young people so well as individuals.’ Staff are described by social workers as: ‘Prompt, efficient, proactive, accommodating, child centred and well informed.’ And as ‘really good at problem solving’ and having a ‘can do approach.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working remains a strength in the home. The staff understand their roles in the overall care package for each young person and liaise and work effectively with all services and professionals. The staff also work effectivity with families who really appreciate the work that staff do, not only to care for their child but to help them grow and progress in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall a strong approach continues to be taken in monitoring the service. Monitoring is used to drive improvements. The visits carried on a monthly basis by an independent person document how much young people are enjoying their stay and comment on the running of the home. However, the visitor has not been successful, routinely, in contacting parents to seek their views about the service in order to inform the monthly review.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Interested parties are now informed about how they can access policies relating to child protection and behaviour management, staff have a clearer understanding about the management and oversight of allegations against people who work with children and when there is a practice evacuation the names of the children involved are recorded so that evacuation plans can be updated if required.

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Information about this children's home

 The service caters for a maximum of seven 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).  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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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

10/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Independent person: visits and reports 44. —(1) The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. (2) When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person— (a) if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent 31/12/2015 person requires; with specific reference to ensuring parents have the opportunity to provide the visitor with their views about the quality of care in the home. (Regulation 44 2 (a))

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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