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 Declined in effectiveness . There is evidence that some young people have made progress since the last inspection. However, there are also a number of shortfalls identified at this inspection. The home has met some of the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. Supervisions are taking place and recorded. Inductions are taking place. However, a new member of staff has not had all of the associated areas of his induction signed off. This includes lone working, which the induction documentation identifies as a priority, and room searches, which supervision records show as an area where confusion recently arose. As a result, induction processes are not as thorough as they could be in preparing staff to work in the home. The manager was unclear on what „lone working‟ means and her interpretation was not consistent with the health and safety policy. This confusion

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

has the potential to impact on the effective implementation of risk management strategies. The staff have access to emotional support to manage the feelings that arise from the work they undertake. They have access to clinicians within the home and an employee assistance programme. When new staff are recruited, appropriate checks take place. The quality of recording remains variable. The staff have attended record keeping training. However, the records are not always of a sufficient quality. The manager recognises the need to further develop the inclusion of young people in record keeping. One young person has arrived at the home since the last inspection. The manager described this as a quick move. As such, the usual level of planning did not take place. However, the manager completed an impact assessment. This recognised the potential effect that the new resident was likely to have on the existing resident, noting one to one staffing and key work support would likely mitigate this

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

risk. This has proved over optimistic. In practice, the young person‟s arrival has had a significant impact on the other resident, who has consistently raised concerns about the young person‟s behaviour. He described himself as feeling „uncomfortable‟ in the home. In one incident he had to stay overnight in the annexe of another home due to staff concerns about his safety arising from the behaviour of the new resident. In this incident the senior on call, who staff contacted and called in, had not had physical intervention training and was therefore unable to physically intervene if needed. This lack of foresight in planning on-call arrangements contributed to the young person being unable to return to the home that night. The staffing arrangements in this instance were insufficient to manage the needs of the young people. The decision making chain regarding the incident is not recorded. The manager states that staff contacted her and she sought the advice of a senior

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

manager. There is no record of these discussions within the home. As a result, the records do not provide a clear audit trail of significant decisions nor will they provide clarity for young people who may wish to access their records in the future. Records note that the young person wanted to make a complaint about the incident. However, there is no evidence that the staff followed this up in the two weeks that followed. The young person himself now talks of there being no point in making a complaint as he feels nothing will happen. The lack of a prompt response means that the young person has lost significant confidence in staff. This lessens the likelihood that he will raise concerns in the form of a complaint in the future. As a result, the protection afforded by the complaints procedure reduces. In addition, this serious incident did not result in a notification to Ofsted. The manager recognises that this should have happened. However, the lack of a timely

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

notification impacts on Ofsted‟s ability to effectively monitor the service. The young people are engaging well in education The staff are supporting them to attend and to plan for their future. One young person has significantly increased his attendance since moving into the home. Another young person is engaging well with his college course. This promotes increased life opportunities for young people. The staff work with young people to help them develop their independence. Key work sessions show the work that is taking place to support young people to have the knowledge and skills they need for life after they move out of the home. The young people have made some progress since the last inspection. In particular, the new resident has made real progress. He has engaged in education and has joined cadets. He is also taking part in football activities. He recognises the progress he has made since coming to the home: „I‟m sleeping and eating better and going to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

school more now.‟ Feedback from external professionals is positive. They also noted the progress the newest resident has made since arriving in the home. There has only been one physical intervention since the last inspection. The manager has shared concerns with the local authority designated officer appropriately and has acted upon the advice she has received. No young people have gone missing since the last inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private provider. Young people may attend the linked school provision.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 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

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered provider must:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (b) Ensure that the home‟s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. This is with particular regard to ensuring that on-call arrangements are fit for purpose. 15/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure the registered person maintains records (“case records”) for each child which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; are kept up to date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. This is with particular regard to ensuring the information recorded is complete and of a sufficient quality. (Regulation 36 (1) (a) (b) (c)) 15/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. This is with particular regard to fully following up any complaint made by a young person. (Regulation 39 (3)) 15/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4) (e)) 15/04/2016

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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 that all staff consistently follow the home's policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home's care. This is with particular regard to ensuring that managers and staff are aware of, and comply with, the lone working policy. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54 paragraph 10.20)

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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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