Children's home run by Oxfordshire County Council in Oxford

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement 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

There has been significant progress made in meeting the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. This and other developments have meant the home is providing a higher quality of care. The manager in post is now registered with Ofsted and she has been instrumental in driving the improvements. Care plans have been revised and are now in line with each young person‘s age and stage of development. This means that more mature young people can take an appropriate level of decision making about their day to day life in line with planning for their independence. Young people moving in to live at the home have their needs fully assessed and consideration is given to any impact they may have on the existing group of young people; strategies have been developed to minimise any risks. A young person who has moved on from the home has moved into a foster placement. The move was well supported. Young people and staff are building stronger relationships and staff are spending

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

quality time with them, for example they now sit together at mealtimes and staff show interest in their day. During the inspection they were making advent calendars for Christmas and spent the evening having a pamper night; there was lots of laughter heard. A parent stated that the home was a ‗safe haven‘ for his daughter. Young people‘s attitude, which was to do as little as possible, is changing. They are getting out of bed in the mornings and trying new things. Young people are more gainfully employed during the day including in education or training. One young person has even requested additional work to help her to catch up in her learning. They are gaining a sense of achievement and developing a drive to succeed. Their sometimes small but significant achievements are spurring them on to succeed further including in their education, training or employment. Restrictions that were in place that prevented young people accessing the lounge

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and art room at the end of the evening have been lifted. A restriction remains regarding access to the kitchen but this is because it has been assessed as required due to safety issues. A fairer approach is taken to sanctions or consequences because the group of young people are no longer punished for the wrong doing of another. Instances of physical intervention are low, only one since the last inspection, and this was recorded in detail in a prompt way and the manager discussed the incident with the young person to help her understand why the intervention had been necessary and to help her to reflect on her actions. The frequency of incidents of missing from care has fluctuated since the last inspection. The reasons for this have been analysed by the manager and successful strategies have been put in place to reduce the frequency. For example, an abduction order has been used against an unsuitable adult and risk

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

assessments have been reviewed and additional strategies introduced. Independent return home interviews are offered to young people but still not following every missing episode. Young people‘s physical and emotional health is improving. They are supported by staff who have been trained and are competent in helping them to deal with their individual physical and emotional health needs such as self-harm and diabetes. There has been a significant decrease in episodes of self-harm. Not all notifications of significant events have been received by HMCI and this means that the regulator has not been able to monitor over time how matters have been dealt with. However, the two safeguarding issues that had arisen were effectively handled and young people were safeguarded. Young people now know they can contact a member of staff at any time of the day or night should they require help or assistance when they are not at home. While there are still

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

incidents of bullying they are far more effectively dealt with. The young person being bullied and the perpetrator get the support they need. Staff recruitment process are robust, followed and ensure that only people who are suitable to work with children are employed. Staff are now well supported to reflect on their practice because reflective practice is on each supervision agenda. Issues arising from some of these discussions have been taken to a team meeting for discussion by the whole team. For example, it was identified that the young people have become calmer and during a staff meeting there was a productive discussion about why they thought this was. They identified that the changes they have made in some areas of their practice has had a positive impact on the young people‘s behaviour and overall well-being. The Statement of Purpose has been reviewed and provided to HMCI and this clearly sets out the aims and objectives of the home and what it aims to achieve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, the arrangements for monitoring the home against its Statement of Purpose are driving improvement. There has been a comprehensive and insightful review of the quality of care carried out by the manager and this has been provided to Ofsted. The review identifies positive aspects of the work of the home and identifies areas and plans for development over the next six months. The views of all relevant people have not been incorporated into the review and this is a missed opportunity to strengthen the quality of care provided. An independent visitor carries out a monthly assessment of the quality of care and makes recommendations for improvement that the manager addresses. These reports have not been forwarded to HMCI to enable the regulator to monitor the quality of care over time. Records made and maintained are far better ordered and presented. The daily strategies are now clear and concise and guide staff in working with each young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

person. One had not been updated following a change in the arrangements for a young person‘s employment status and this could lead to uncertainty among staff about what the arrangements are for her day. In general far better attention is being taken to ensuring that records are signed and dated by the author. The records will be useful for young people who wish to access them now or in the future to provide them with a clear view about their care and how decisions made have been reached.

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Information about this children's home

This children's home that provides care for up to six female young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is managed by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

08/07/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2015 CH - 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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Notification of a serious event

The registered person must notify HMCI of all significant events in the home as defined in the corresponding regulation. (Regulation 40 (1)(3) and (4) 18/12/2015

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Independent person: visits and reports

The registered person must provide a copy of the monthly report of the independent person to HMCI (Regulation 44(7)(a) 18/12/2015

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Independent person: visits and reports

Children’s case records 18/12/2015 36. —(1) The registered person must maintain records (―case records‖) for each child which— (a) include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; (b) are kept up to date; and (c) are signed and dated by the author of each entry.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (Quality Standard – The protection of children page 45 9.30)  The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with: each child; the home‘s staff; each child‘s family/carers where appropriate; and professionals involved in the care or protection of each child including their social worker, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), teachers, clinicians and other health professionals. (The guide to the Quality Standards page 55 10.23)

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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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