Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Bedford

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 Declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection no requirements or recommendations were set.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During this inspection some shortfalls were identified. Not all staff receive supervision in line with the home’s supervision policy. In addition, the manager has not received training in providing supervision to staff. Therefore, some staff are not provided with an opportunity to reflect on their practice or to look at their personal development. The manager lacks training to ensure that supervision is provided to a high standard in line with the organisation’s expectations. However, there is minimal impact on young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is not consistently well maintained. While, in general, it is furnished to a high standard, issues beyond the control of the organisation have impacted on some areas of the home and caused some damage. For example, due to a substantial leak, there is damage to the coving in the laundry area and flooring to the hallway. In addition, some of the carpets are fraying at the edges and require replacing. The organisation is fully aware of this shortfall and has a plan in place to address these areas. There is limited impact on young people, as their own bedrooms are well personalised and the staff ensure that the home is kept clean, tidy and welcoming.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff receive mandatory training in areas such as fire safety, medication and safeguarding. They receive specific training in areas such as self harming behaviours, understanding attachment and child sexual exploitation. However, the organisation has failed to ensure that the staff have received training in areas specific to young people’s individual needs, such as autism awareness. While staff have an understanding of the young people’s needs, they lack an in depth awareness to fully understand and support young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people’s records are up to date and provide detailed information to inform staff of potential risks, individual needs and progress. However, not all staff have signed to evidence that they have read the information. For example, individual risk assessments and individual community access plans. While there is minimal impact on young people due to the high level of supervision provided by staff, this does not ensure that all staff are fully aware of the potential risks to young people, or of the most up to date plans.

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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 organisation has appointed a new manager, who is in the process of registering with Ofsted, but is currently absent from the home. The organisation has appointed an interim manager during the absence. This will provide young people and staff with consistency and stability.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make positive progress in all areas of their lives. They continue to engage in education, with 100% attendance, and progress in their educational achievements. A social worker said: ‘The joint working with school, therapist and the home is excellent.’ Young people engage in activities within the community, going horse riding regularly, cycling and swimming. They engage exceedingly well with the staff, because staff spend quality time with them, keep them safe and listen to them. A young person said: ‘I like all of the staff a lot. This is a nice place to live.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide young people with consistent and effective support and treat them with respect and dignity. A social worker said: ‘The staff are there purely for the young person.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager, while new to the post, is committed to ensuring that young people receive a high level of care, and is a strong advocate for their wishes and feelings. For example, recently requesting an independent visitor for a young person. The manager has a good level of knowledge about the young people and is developing her awareness around the monitoring systems within the home to ensure that the home is managed effectively and efficiently.

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Information about this children's home

This home is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to provide care for up to three young people up to the age of eighteen who present with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home provides a therapeutic approach to care.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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

13. The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the leadership and management standard, in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to-

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Requirement Due date

(c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. This is with particular regard to training in autism awareness. 29/04/2016

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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 the home provides a welcoming environment throughout. This is with particular regard to the maintenance of the home décor. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 15 paragraph 3.7)  Ensure that there are systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 61 paragraph 13.2)  Ensure staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping. This is with particular regard to implementing the policy to demonstrate that all staff have read and signed young people’s individual records. (The Guide to the Quality standards page 62 paragraph 14.4)

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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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