Children's home run by Oxfordshire County Council

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 Improved Effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people in this home make progress in all areas of their lives as a direct result of the input from the manager and his staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who are newly resident in the home settle well. Impact risk assessments are carried out and decisions about admissions are based on these assessments. This ensures that the staff are equipped to meet the individual and collective needs of the young people placed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have moved on from the home since the last inspection for a range of reasons. One, sadly, went into secure accommodation due to his behaviour. Others have had more positive moves, one went to live with his family and one has moved into more independent living. All have been supported well with their moves whatever the reason has been for them leaving.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the needs of the young people and work effectively with them to keep them safe and help them develop more appropriate coping strategies. Young people have decreased their risky behaviours such as being missing from care and there are few incidents of significance that occur. There has been no use of physical interventions since the last inspection and sanctions rarely need to be applied. These improvements are a direct result of the work staff have done with young people and the strong working relationships staff have with the police and other professionals and agencies who support the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are developing the skills they will need to live successfully independently. Young people for whom English is a second language have progressed very well in their understanding and command of the English language. This has increased their life chances and their self-esteem and has meant that they have developed more confidence in their abilities, such as traveling independently.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have access to the services they need in relation to their emotional, psychological and physical health and begin to take responsibility for meeting their health needs. At their request the manager and staff have converted a room into a gym that supports young people to live healthy lifestyles, and they can use the equipment as an appropriate outlet for their frustrations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been variable progress in education. Some young people have done well in their attendance and attainment while one young person has disengaged in education. This is the result of his reaction to his situation and not a failing of services for him. The virtual school is particularly proactive in promoting young people’s educational opportunities and works closely with the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have good opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities inside and outside of the home. Community relationships have been strengthened, for example the young people held a Christmas Fayre in the community to raise money for charity and they raised in excess of £200. This provides young people with a good sense of community spirit. Young people are strongly encouraged and supported to express their identity and staff ensure that their cultural needs are met to a high standard.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Where possible there is close working with families and family contact is promoted. This makes sure that these important relationships are sustained and in some cases strengthened. Some relationships are very complex and in these cases staff are fully aware of the risks to their safety and well-being having contact may have for them and they ensure that children are safeguarded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management arrangements for the home are strong. The manager leads the staff team effectively and provides them with good support; there is a shared commitment to improving the experiences and progress of the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The arrangements for monitoring the quality of care are effective in identifying shortfalls and driving improvement. One shortfall identified is that not all reports have been sent by the independent visitor to Ofsted to enable the regulator to maintain an up-to-date overview of the quality of care provided. The requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection have all have been met: records are now made of all sanctions; there is now clear instruction to staff about what decision making is delegated to them through the use of a delegated responsibility form; when a young person has been missing from care they are offered the opportunity to talk with someone who is independent from the home; and the manager now records the monthly meetings he has with each young person so that staff are aware of any issues of significance. While there have been no complaints made since the last inspection it is evident that the manager and staff

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

are keen to learn from monitoring, inspection and incidents to improve practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff recruitment processes are robust and ensure that staff are suitable people to be working with the young people.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children's home which is registered for up to six young people and it currently only admits boys. The home is registered to care for young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

28/01/2014 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

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI; this is in relation to all reports of visits being forwarded by the visitor to Ofsted. (Regulation 44 (1) and (7))

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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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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