Children's home run by Oracle Care Limited in Central Bedfordshire

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

At the last inspection four recommendations were set, all of which have been met. The provider has implemented a plan for when cover is required in the absence of the manager, through a peripatetic manager who works for the organisation. In addition the organisation is recruiting to, an assistant manager position. This ensures consistency and stability for young people, as they have interact with other managers during and after school time. Therefore there are effective management arrangements in place, for when the manager is absent.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff working at the home have an individual workforce plan. These records detail individual staff members training and professional development needs. Records are held within the home’s computer system and are updated when required. Therefore, there is a clear record of the skills and developmental needs of each member of staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people living at the home now have individual records to keep memories of any significant events during their time at the home. The staff help young people to keep these up to date, and meaningful, through taking photographs, such as during activities, celebration of birthdays, and times that are important to the young person. This helps young people to have memorabilia they can look back on when they are older.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people, where required, are helped to have access to an advocacy service. This is through discussions with placing authorities and the young people, of the type of person that would support the young people best. This supports young people to have an individual they can meet and talk with outside of the home, and help them to have their views heard about their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the inspection, some shortfalls were identified. The home has a location risk assessment, and the manager has sought the views of other agencies to help inform the assessment. However, while the location of the home with regards to a busy main road close to the home is recorded in the assessment, it fails to clearly identify the action that has been taken to reduce the potential risk to young people. In addition, it fails to inform an assessment regarding new admissions referred to the service if a known risk is highlighted, such as history of running onto roads and of additional action required to further reduce potential risks that have not yet been implemented. The manager is fully aware of the potential risks to young people living at the home, and has already made some changes required, however, these are not clearly recorded and detailed on the document.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management took sufficient action regarding an allegation made against staff by a young person. This is because, the Local Authority Designated Officer, placing authorities were informed and appropriate action was taken. However, the service failed to inform Ofsted at the time. While there is minimal impact on young people, due to the action taken to safeguard young people, this is a breach of regulation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the registered manager has left the organisation. The provider has appointed a new manager who is an experienced manager working with children and young people. The manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted. The young people benefit from effective management. There are various systems to monitor the quality of care. These include monthly monitoring that collates and analysis the data, such as complaints, physical interventions and progress of young people, looking to improve the service further.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people continue to make good progress in all aspects of their life. Young people have good attendance and achievement at in their education. They are developing skills to assist them to reduce their challenging behaviour, and have developed good social and self-care skills. The young people are provided with clear and structured routines and boundaries. Positive and appropriate behaviour is promoted. A social worker supported this and reported: ‘He has made progress since he first went there, he is progressing well’. In addition a young person was able to reflect on the progress they had made and said he is very proud if his progress, in particular with his education. As a result, young people’s challenging incidents have decreased.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff enable young people to access their own interests and hobbies, such as engaging in a trampoline club, drama group, and supporting individual young people’s enjoyment of cooking. The young people are involved in making improvement to their home. Through helping the manager choose the colour of the paint, and are involved in painting and refreshing some of the rooms within their home. This also supports their independence skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are very positive about the care they receive and one young person said that ‘all the staff are lovely’ and ‘he was very happy at the home’. The young person viewed the house as his home.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for no more than three young people of either gender aged between ten and eighteen years of age, who have complex histories and levels of need. The home is privately owned and accepts national referrals. Staff use the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention model, they deliver an integrated approach to care, education and clinical need.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12/05/2014 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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40(4)(c)) 18/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises for the purposes of the children's home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard). (Regulation 46(1)) 18/03/2016

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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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