Children's Home run by Barnardo’s in Oxfordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last 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

This home was judged to have sustained effectiveness at the last interim inspection, which was in November 2015. At this inspection, shortfalls were identified in embedding the child protection policy into practice, a lack of local authority paperwork to determine aims and objectives of the placements and record keeping is not to a good standard. Senior managers are currently undertaking an investigation into a child protection allegation. In recent months, the management team have focused on learning from this allegation but this has had the unintended consequence of detracting from their wider monitoring. They have been ineffective in identifying other areas requiring improvement or in moving the service forward. Although the investigation is still underway, actions initially identified have yet to be implemented. For example, Some, but not all, staff have received training and information in respect

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

of safeguarding practice and guidelines from safeguarding professionals. The policies and procedures have yet to be fully embedded in staff practice. Other shortfalls have not been recognised. Procedures relating to recording and reporting of incidents is not comprehensive. It does not provide detail of who should complete records, timeframes and who is accountable. In addition, handover sheets do not specify incidents that have happened and any outstanding records to be completed and which professionals have been informed. This lack of clarification and delegation may lead to information not being communicated or recorded. Although shortfalls have been identified, the home continues to provide a sound standard of care for young people, with staff working tirelessly to make a positive difference to young people’s lives. Staff form warm and nurturing relationships with young people, understanding their individual emotional and physical needs. As

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

a result, young people make good progress and self-esteem and confidence improves. Young people indicate they are happy in the home and that they feel comfortable with staff. Their demeanour indicates they feel safe and are able to express their concerns or anxieties to staff. Since the last inspection, there have been no new admissions and no discharges. The decision was made to delay a transition for one young person to adult services. Staff are working collaboratively with the parents and the placing authority to ensure the young person is supported and prepared to make this transition. The home has received one complaint since the last inspection. There is evidence to demonstrate this complaint has been fully investigated and the home has been proactive in working with all involved to resolve any further issues or concerns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the inspection, young people’s files did not contain a copy of the plan for the care of the young person prepared by the child's placing authority or the placement plan. In addition, the result of recent reviews of the placing authority's plan for the care of the young person or minutes of child protection meetings were not on all the files. The manager took action to obtain some of this information during the inspection, however file audits need to be undertaken to determine and request outstanding information. The absence of this information means staff do not have an authoritative indication of the outcomes to be achieved or offer a clear steer for key working opportunities. Without this information managers are unable to have a clear understanding of the progress young people are making in respect of the wider plans for them nor ensure that the home care plans give the young people the necessary support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Targets have recently been set for young people and thought has now been given to breaking these down into smaller steps. Targets are phased so that it is clear what is being expected, progress is also recorded to indicate when they have been achieved. In addition, in the handover meeting observed during the inspection, clear reference was made to targets and how these are to be supported.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support young people with contact arrangements and young people benefit from being able to maintain appropriate contact with family, friends and other people who are important to them. Individual contact arrangements are suitably supported and facilitated by staff. Staff have been asked to supervise some contact, some staff (but not all) have had appropriate training in this area. Records of these visits do not include agreed actions as required in the supervision contract and the lack of detail did not indicate if these visits are facilitated appropriately and safely.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although some internal monthly monitoring takes place by the manager, the most recent six monthly review focused only on the recent allegation and not the whole service. This requirement is repeated to ensure monitoring is thorough and purposeful as intended. The suitably qualified registered manager and deputy manager effectively lead the staff team. Staff are confident in their roles and recent recruitment of staff is beginning to lead to a decrease in the use of agency staff. The home is awaiting suitability checks on more permanent staff to join the team. The other requirement and recommendation made at the last inspection have been acted on effectively: the home now has a register in place for admissions and discharges; observation showed that staff are now communicating well with young people and understand each individual’s communication style. Individualised communication systems are now being implemented. This is providing young people with the tools to be able

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to communicate with staff or people who do not know or understand how the young person is communicating. The staff team are very proud of the young people’s achievements and have their well-being at heart. Young people’s welfare is enhanced by the relationships that exist between them and staff. The staff are clearly very passionate about promoting good experiences for young people and work as a team to ensure this is achieved.

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is registered to accommodate six children and young people who have a learning and/or physical disability. The service is delivered and managed by a national charitable organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/11/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

02/03/2015 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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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure that staff:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm, (viii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s procedure under regulation 36(1) (policies for the protection of children). 13/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered person must ensure that:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(d) contact between each child parents, relatives and friends, is promoted in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, specifically in recording and facilitating supervised contact visits. 13/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

Maintain records for each child in Schedule 3. This specifically relates to ensuring a copy of any plan for the care of the child prepared by the child's placing authority is obtained, and of the placement plan and the result of any review of the placing authority's plan for the care of the child.

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Requirement Due date

Establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children and the feedback and opinions of children about the children's home.

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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 staff are able to meet children's individual needs as set out in placement plans by ensuring decisions made in statutory paperwork are encompassed into care planning documentation. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 57, paragraph 11.1)  Review the incident reporting process and shift handovers to ensure everyone at the home understands their roles and responsibilities. Ensure there are clear lines of accountability. (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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