Children's home run by Oracle Care Limited in Central Bedfordshire

Good

The children‟s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.2

The children’s home provision is good because:

 Staff understand the importance of education and actively support young people to attend.  There is a wide variety of activities, both in the home and in the community, and young people are supported to attend clubs and maintain hobbies.  The young people say that they feel safe living in the home and that staff listen to and understand their needs.  Staff understand the importance of good transitions, both into and leaving the home.  Staff understand the importance of contact for young people and their families and try to make these meaningful times.  Transitions into and out of the home are managed well and support all the young people involved.  The young people are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and are consulted on the decor of the home.  The staff know and understand the individual needs of the young people and are committed to working with them.  Staff feel that it can be difficult for some young people to build positive

p.3

The children’s home provision is good because:

relationships when staff move around the homes.  Staff use a positive reward system to recognise and celebrate achievements and recognise positive behaviours.  The young people and staff celebrate a variety of festivals from around the world. Young people then add photos and information into the cultural scrapbook.  This inspection identified some areas for improvement. These are in relation to the administration of household medication and young people having the opportunity to sign their placement plans. These matters are not currently having an impact on the safety and well-being of young people.

p.3

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The child‟s General Medical Practitioner (GP) should be kept informed of any progress of care, including any suggested changes of that care. This is in relation to GPs signing to say what house hold medication can be given to young people by staff. (Guide to Children‟s Homes Regulations, page 18, paragraph 3.33)

p.4

Recommendations

 The young people should have the opportunity to comment and sign their placement plan. (Guide to the Children‟s Home Regulations, page 18 paragraph 3.31)

p.4

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. A private organisation owns and operates the provision.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

8 March 2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

16 March 2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Good

There have been significant changes in the home during the past two weeks. A young person has successfully moved to an adult provision and another young person has moved into the home. A social worker commented, „We had a really good transition plan. He was able to visit the home for tea and have an overnight before moving in.‟ Another professional commented, „In my view it‟s been really helpful ensuring that there was a smooth transition.‟ Staff understand that transitions into and leaving the home can be difficult and need to be planned to support all young people.

p.6

Good

The young people have built good relationships with a staff team that supports them to progress. One young person commented, „It‟s calm and quiet, staff are OK.‟ Another commented, „Staff have helped me a lot. They have helped me move forward. I owe them greatly.‟

p.6

Good

The young people have begun to make good progress since moving into the home. One young person attended college full time. Before moving on, he was able to manage independently within the home, managing a budget and attending to his own daily needs. Another young person has excellent attendance at school and is in the process of completing his GCSEs. He commented, „I have done really well at school. I revise for an hour a day and staff help me.‟ Staff understand the importance of education and actively support young people to attend.

p.6

Good

The young people have regular key work sessions where they can discuss all aspects of their lives. One young person was able to talk about his fears regarding moving on while a new young person was able to discuss the young people‟s guide and any worries that he may have.

p.6

Good

Staff have a good knowledge of the young people and why they are in care. Young people spoken to also knew and understood why they were living in the home. Staff respect the young people and treat them as individuals. A young person commented, „Staff always knock on my door and wait until I say “come in”.‟

p.6

Good

Staff understand the importance of regular contact with parents and siblings. Staff supervise contact in line with the young people‟s care plan. Staff want this to be meaningful so will plan activity-based contacts.

p.6

Good

The young people have individualised care plans, which support staff working with them. Young people can go through these with staff and add comments. Due to the system in place, young people and social workers are unable to sign to say that they are in agreement with the plan.

p.6

Good

The young people have individualised weekly incentives. Staff discuss with them what rewards they would like to work towards. Some young people would like extra clothing money or activities, while others may wish to save for something larger. Staff celebrate achievements in a variety of ways, depending on the young person‟s age or preferences. They are rewarded for good behaviours in a variety of different ways. One young person receives stickers every week showing what he has achieved. Sanctions are fair and proportionate and young people have the opportunity to comment and sign these. Staff understand the importance of recognising good behaviours and how recognition can help to build young people‟s self-esteem and self-worth.

p.7

Good

Staff spend quality time with the young people. Young people had planned activities for the half-term week such as go-karting, Duxford Air museum and a movie night. There was a calm atmosphere in the home, and the young people were engaging well with staff.

p.7

Good

The young people‟s health needs are promoted. Young people are registered with the local GP, dentist and optician and are supported to attend regular health appointments. Those young people who are working towards independence are encouraged to make and attend appointments independently. Risk assessments are completed for young people who wish to, and are able to, hold their own medication.

p.7

Good

The young people are given the opportunity to access a wide variety of activities. They are supported to participate in activities, which are individual to them, as well as group activities. One young person regularly attended Army cadets, while another attends a youth club. Staff encourage and support young people to pursue hobbies and interests to help develop social skills.

p.7

Good

The young people attend weekly young people‟s meetings where they plan the weekly menu and talk about the highs and lows of their week. Young people are also asked if there is anything in the house they would like to change. A young person commented, „If there is a team meeting coming up and we are around we can go in at the end and talk about things we want to change. If not, staff will take our views to the meeting and feed back to us‟. The manager gives young people feedback forms periodically and every quarter they complete a survey, which gives them an opportunity to feed back to senior managers about the home and their wishes and views.

p.7

Good

The home is decorated to a good standard and is clean, bright and welcoming with photos of staff and young people around the home. Young people are involved in choosing the decor and furniture for the house. There is a large, well-equipped kitchen. Young people are encouraged to cook several times a week with staff to develop their independence skills. The stair carpet is very worn and is in need of replacement.

p.7

Good

Young people are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms. One young person was very proud to show off his room saying that he had chosen the colour and duvet cover. Young people are encouraged and supported to develop their independence skills, and will complete life skills around the home, such as hoovering and keeping their bathrooms and bedrooms tidy, giving them added responsibility for their environment.

p.8

Good

The young people know how to complain and feel listened to. A young person commented, „I have made some suggestions and staff have listened to me.‟ Complaint forms are kept in the kitchen along with a pen and envelopes. This means that young people do not have to ask staff for a form if they wish to complain. There have been three complaints since the last inspection. The manager acknowledged these within the timescale and in writing to the young person. Actions and outcomes are discussed with the young person, but there is nowhere for them to sign to say that they are happy with the outcome.

p.8

Good

Staff understand the importance of reinforcing boundaries and challenge young people appropriately. The young people have reflective conversations with the staff to discuss and support behaviours. Staff reinforce boundaries in ways which the young person understands. One young person has a contract, which he has signed as he finds this supportive. A member of staff commented „It‟s important that we all stick to boundaries for consistency.‟

p.8

Good

There have been no physical interventions since the last interim inspection. Staff understand that following behaviour management plans along with distraction techniques are in the best interests of the young people.

p.8

Good

Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for the young people out in the community and in the home. These are reviewed every three months for young people who have been in the home for some time and are stable. For those who are new to the home, or for whom there are concerns, these are reviewed and amended more frequently. This supports staff in being able to safeguard the young people further.

p.8

Good

All health and safety checks have been completed. There is an area risk assessment in place. This is being developed as local services are in the process of replying to letters sent out by the manager and local authority requesting information.

p.8

Good

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and are vigilant around the young people. They understand their vulnerabilities and the potential issues of child sexual exploitation. The young people are monitored when using the laptop. One young person does not have a mobile at this time. The other young person does not have internet access or a camera on his mobile, which further safeguards him. Staff are up to date with safeguarding and „Prevent‟ training and those spoken to understood the whistle-blowing policy. Staff support young people to take risks according to their age, ability and understanding. This means that they can have the same opportunities as their peers while still being safeguarded.

p.9

Good

There have been no reports of young people going missing from the home since the last inspection. Young people spoken to were clear that staff would look for them if they went missing and then call the police. The missing person‟s manager is attending a staff meeting in June to explain her role and how the police process missing young people. This shows that the home and missing team work together to safeguard the young people.

p.9

Good

All medication is stored and recorded appropriately and staff cannot administer medication until they have completed the appropriate training. Consent for medical treatment is in place for each young person. There is, however, no consent from the GP for staff to administer household medication. This will ensure that young people are not given medication that could have an adverse reaction on the young people or which interferes with any prescribed medication.

p.9

Good

The registered manager has been in post since 2013 and has the relevant experience and qualifications to run the home.

p.9

Good

Managers and staff have a clear vision for the home. They recognise the strengths as well as areas they can develop to further improve the experiences and outcomes for young people. Staff receive regular supervision, which they report to be supportive. Staff have a development work plan which is discussed periodically and forms part of their appraisals, which are up to date. This ensures that staff have the appropriate training to work with the young people.

p.9

Good

The manager has a good understanding of the young people‟s individual needs and works closely with social workers and other agencies to ensure good outcomes. The home‟s therapist also supports the manager and staff, looking at behaviours and supporting staff with strategies to manage these.

p.10

Good

Staff meetings are fortnightly, and these provide staff with the opportunity to discuss the young people, care practice and any issues within the team. During the holidays, young people attend the last part of the meeting to share ideas about the running of the home. The therapist also meets with the staff fortnightly to discuss the young people and to share ideas. Staff reported that they found this supportive and it enables continuity within the team by adding information to the young people‟s care plans.

p.10

Good

Daily recordings are comprehensive, outlining behaviours, personal care, diet, activities and general persona of the young person. There are separate recordings of reflective conversations, contacts and key work sessions, which give a good insight into young people‟s progression.

p.10

Good

Recruitment is robust and all checks are completed and verified before staff can begin to work in the home. Staff will often cover shifts when needed, or staff that previously worked in the home and are now bank staff cover shifts. Staff spoken to reported that it was important for young people to have continuity of staff as this makes them feel safe. They said that young people could find it difficult when staff move around the homes.

p.10

Good

There are alarms on the front door and on young people‟s bedrooms, which bleep when doors are opened. Young people are aware of why these are in place and there are consent forms from parents and social workers.

p.10

Good

All staff have completed the appropriate training including the national vocational qualification level 3.

p.10

Good

The manager monitors care practice and young people‟s progression through a computer system used by the home to record all information regarding the young people. This is able to plot progression and outcomes by transferring information into monthly graphs. This supports the manager and staff to evaluate progression, patterns and trends. This has demonstrated how young people‟s education attendance has improved and that they have been able to learn how to regulate some of their own behaviours. These graphs can also be shared with the young people to show them how they have progressed since moving into the home.

p.10

What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against „Inspection of children‟s homes: framework for inspection‟.

p.12

What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children‟s home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children‟s home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children‟s home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children‟s home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children‟s home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

p.12

What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

p.12

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 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

p.13

Information about this inspection

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 .

p.13

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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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,

p.14

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.14

Information about this inspection

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

p.14

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

p.14