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 commencing a service are very well supported to become familiar with the home and staff through a well planned introduction process. Each introduction is highly individualised and arranged flexibly to ensure that their needs are met and their parents‟ anxieties are minimised. This helps children‟s and parents‟ confidence in the service develop and ensures that children settle well. A parent who was bringing her child in for a stay spoke about how unsettled her child had been that day and that she had second thoughts about bringing him, but said „I knew that it would be ok when we pulled in as he had a big smile on his face and was excited.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are cared for exceptionally well by attentive and caring staff who know them well and meet their needs to a high standard. They are fully occupied during their stays including taking part in activities in and outside the home and having quiet time and rests when their needs and preferences dictate these to be required. There has been a recent party to celebrate Christmas and some children went to see a pantomime that was enjoyed by all. Staff intuitively know when a child would prefer a quieter experience and good use is made of the sensory room or just time relaxing on their bed. During the inspection the young people present were happy to be there one young person gave a thumbs up sign when asked if he liked going to stay. There were lots of smiles and laughter as children played happily in their pleasant surroundings. As a result of their short break, children have the chance to do things independently from their parents, with their peers,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents and social workers are confident that this service provides children with high quality of care in a safe and nurturing environment. All health and safety matters and child protection issues are dealt with effectively to ensure that children‟s best interests are upheld. The entrance to the house is secured by locked doors. This practice is not underpinned by formal written risk assessments and therefore could be deemed as a restriction of some children‟s liberty.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Very careful thought and attention is given to considering the grouping of children who have stays together to ensure that needs are compatible. A representative of the local authority said they are „really skilled at making matches.‟ A parent highlighted that the home is very good at communicating with her and went on to explain that she finds the diary used „very useful as it informs her about how the stay has gone.‟ When young people move into adulthood they are well supported by staff to become familiar with and settle into their new arrangements. Staff ensure that new providers are fully aware of the children‟s needs and likes and dislikes to help them settle into their new surroundings well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to have very good working relationships with parents and professionals. A local authority representative spoke about the very positive approach taken to inter-agency working, she stated that the manager is „very transparent; we can discuss any issues and sort them out.‟ Exceptional care is taken to ensure that staff fully understand and meet young people‟s health needs to a high standard. The manager ensures that where a child has complex health needs training is commissioned for staff to ensure that they understand and are competent in undertaking the procedures required for that specific child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is monitored by an external visitor and the manager. Through the monitoring processes the areas for development are identified and action is taken to meet any shortfalls found in an efficient and prompt way. A shortfall in the monitoring is that parents and other interested parties views are not routinely used to inform these processes although they are obtained on a day-to-day basis. Additionally the report made by the visitor is not forwarded to Ofsted by the person who carried out these visits. These issues do not significantly impact on the overall good quality monitoring. The manager has ensured that actions required at the last inspection have been addressed and staff are now aware of the role of the local authority designated officer, the arrangements for fire safety have been strengthened and the monitoring of the home is far more robust.

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Information about this children's home

This residential short-break service caters for up to six children or young people at any one time. 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. The home is also registered with the Care Quality Commission as a domiciliary care agency that provides occasional support to families in the family home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/03/2015 CH - Interim improved 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

44. — Independent person: visits and reports The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person‟s report to—(a) HMCI.

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Requirement Due date

This is with specific reference to ensuring it is the independent person who supplies to report to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (7) (a)) 29/01/2016

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Review of quality of care

45. —(1) The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Review of quality of care

This is with specific reference to establishing and maintaining a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2) (5)) 01/03/2016

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Restraint and deprivation of liberty

20. —(1) Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing— (a) injury to any person (including the child); (b) serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or (c) a child who is accommodated in a secure children‟s home from absconding from the home. (2) Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate.

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Restraint and deprivation of liberty

This is with specific reference to ensuring that it can be evidenced that the locking of external doors is necessary for each child and young person to secure their safety and well-being 29/01/2015

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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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