Children's Home run by Barnardo’s in Oxfordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good 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

The home has demonstrated continued improvement in the quality of care provided with a clear and focused commitment to service development and achieving positive outcomes and experiences for young people. Young people’s welfare is further enhanced by the good relationships that exist between staff and young people. A professional commented, ‘he has been very well looked after and staff have voiced their determination that he should receive the highest quality care. He is obviously truly cared for.’ The staff are skilled at promoting a nurturing environment where young people feel safe and well cared for. The staff team effectively engage with young people to promote positive behaviour. Behaviour management in the home has been reviewed with a focus on involving young people in decisions. Behaviour management plans have been adapted and a choice board is now in place. This enables young people to make a decision on a place they would like to go if they

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

need some space or to calm down. This has been discussed amongst the staff team and where possible with the young people. This practice increases young people’s ability to express themselves and therefore enhances their self-esteem. There have been two transitions into the home since the last inspection and two transitions out. One of these to a foster placement and the other on to adult services. These were managed remarkably well by staff. They worked closely with the young people to ensure they were well prepared. The two admissions were emergency placements and the staff worked very closely with professionals to ensure they were successful. There is a register in place of young people who have lived or who are living in the home; however, this does not contain all the necessary information and requires updating. Young people are supported if they wish to make a complaint and staff advocate on behalf of the young people if they feel they need to raise a concern on their

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

behalf. A good knowledge of each young person's needs enables staff to tell if someone is unhappy and to respond accordingly. Observations indicated that individualised communication systems are not being consistently implemented. This does not provide young people with all the necessary tools to be able to communicate and express their choices. Young people progress well and they have all made considerable progress given their starting point upon arrival at the home. Staff are proud to report on achievements and how young people continue to develop skills and grow in confidence. For example, they learn fundamental self-help skills such as toileting independently, getting dressed and the ability to accept and respond to peer interaction. This means that they are more able to live with others in an inclusive environment. Young people are prepared in readiness for transitions into adult life. Staff work with young people to identify goals and spend time and effort in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ensuring young people are supported to meet them. The number of incidents is low. Some young people are still settling in to the new environment so their behaviours are being closely monitored. There have been no complaints, no missing children incidents or safeguarding concerns. The only two physical interventions carried were managed well, through good follow up in reviewing and updating behaviour support plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to benefit from regular team meetings and group opportunities to discuss the needs of the young people. They receive regular training in a range of areas specific to the young people currently accessing the service. Staff have recently received training in relation to the internet and the risks it may pose to young people. This enhances their knowledge on their responsibilities in this area.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although it is clear internal monitoring takes place by the manager, the information gathered is not well used to improve the quality of care provided. There are various monitoring and reporting tools in operation. However, the information is not well used. In addition, trends and patterns are not being fully evaluated and young people’s views are not considered. This means reviews are not as thorough or purposeful as intended.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous requirement to ensure compliance with the homes policies in relation to health and safety has now been met. Audit trials have been enhanced and the necessary checks have now been undertaken. In addition, the remedial work has now been carried out as detailed in risk assessments. The manager is overseeing this area to ensure checks are completed as required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a Registered Nurse in the organisation has assessed medication competency for staff. Staff feel now feel more confident to ask for advice and this has led to a reduction in medication errors. Medication procedures are now embedded in practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, much work has been done to evaluate the current level of service and to plan for future developments in the coming year. The staff team are very proud of the young people’s achievements and have their well-being at heart.

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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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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

20/03/2014 CH - 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 (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

Establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children and the feedback and opinions of children about the children's home.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure of the information in Schedule 4 is maintained and kept up to date. Specifically the record in the form of the register.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure individualised communication systems are implemented in practice. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 24, paragraph 4.24.)

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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

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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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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