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

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The children’s home provision is good because:

 The staff know and understand the young people’s individual needs and are committed to working with them to support their progress.  Staff are enthusiastic and this is evident in the positive experiences that young people have.  The staff listen to the young people and act on their wishes.  The young people say that they are happy in the home and can identify staff who they can speak to if they are worried or upset.  There is a wide variety of activities for young people, both in the home and in the community.  Staff challenge young people’s negative behaviours and discuss these in reflective conversations.  Young people are encouraged and supported to personalise their bedrooms and choose decor and furnishings for the home.  Staff understand that transitions for some young people can be difficult and work with them in preparation.  Young people have individual targets and a reward chart in place.

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The children’s home provision is good because:

 Staff recognise positive behaviours and achievements and record these on an achievement record but do not celebrate these with them or other young people.  The young people have informative placement plans but are not given the opportunity to comment and sign these.  There are some minor shortfalls in record keeping so that it reflects young people views and celebrating their achievements.

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

14 The care planning standard is that— (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (f) that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. 01/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within five working days of the use of the measure, the registered person or authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(c)) 01/09/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):   The home’s staff should recognise and celebrate the achievements of their children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.7)

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Information about this children’s home

The home and annex Jade Cottage provide care and accommodation for no more than three people, irrespective of gender, aged between 10 and 18 who have complex histories and levels of need. Staff use the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention model. They deliver an integrated approach to care, education and clinical need. The home is privately owned by Oracle Care and accepts national referrals.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

12/05/2014 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

Good

The young people have built good relationships with a staff team that know them and understand their individual needs. Young people arriving back from school were welcomed into the home, given a drink and asked about their day.

p.6

Good

Staff spend quality time with the young people. Young people spoken to said that they liked living in the home and going out with staff. One young person proudly showed a photo of him fishing, a hobby he has recently taken up with staff. Staff use this time to build and maintain positive relationships with the young people.

p.6

Good

Staff understand the importance of building memories for the young people of their time in the home. They have made albums for them with photos of activities, both in the home and out in the community, as well as special occasions.

p.6

Good

Staff have begun to talk to young people about activities and a holiday over the summer period. This ensures that they have the same opportunities as other young people.

p.6

Good

Young people have begun to progress as they live in the home. There are clear boundaries in place and staff challenge inappropriate behaviours through reflective conversations. This enables young people to recognise inappropriate or unsafe behaviours and look at how they can manage these in a more appropriate safe way. There has been a decrease in behaviours from young people and they are able to sit and reflect with staff after an incident.

p.6

Good

Staff have good knowledge of the young people and why they are in care and what their current needs are. Staff understand that transitions for one young person are very difficult. Staff plan in advance for transitions with him; they understand that before a transition home and coming back he finds it difficult to regulate his own behaviour. Staff give him the opportunity to speak to them and help plan how the transition will work. This supports him in feeling that he has some control over what is happening, and he has begun to talk to staff about why he finds it difficult.

p.6

Good

Staff see education as an important part of young people’s lives. There is good communication between school and home. The headteacher commented, ‘All the young people have excellent attendance and are progressing well, one young person has made a phenomenal improvement and we rarely see any of this challenging behaviours in school now, he recently represented the school at the independent schools sports day. This is the first time we have sent a young person and he did really well. Staff from the home were there to support him. Young people are always dressed in correct school uniform and look very smart and presentable.’ A young person commented, ‘I like school; I’m doing alright considering I have only just started there.’ Another commented, ‘I was up at seven o’clock this morning to make cookies for the staff at school as we will be breaking up soon.’ This shows that young people understand that education is important

p.6

Good

and have a good relationship with the staff in school.

p.7

Good

The young people are given the opportunity to access a wide variety of activities, both in the home and in the community. They complete weekly planners with staff and are encouraged and supported to attend activities, which are individualised to them, as well as group activities. One young person attends a local drama club and staff have attended a production he was in. This shows young people that staff are interested in what they do and want to support them.

p.7

Good

Young people have incentives, which are individualised, and they can earn rewards. Each young person understands how many points they need to earn to gain a star towards their goal; these are displayed so that young people can see for themselves how well they are doing.

p.7

Good

The young people attend young people’s meetings. Staff use these to talk about issues in the home, such as behaviours, use of the internet, purchases for the house and to gain feedback from the young people about the home. The manager monitors these and she will respond to young people’s wishes. The young people recently asked for televisions in their rooms, the staff agreed this and young people drew up a contact outlining their use. This shows the young people that staff value and act on their wishes and input into the home.

p.7

Good

The young people’s health needs are promoted. They are registered with a local GP, a dentist and opticians and are supported to attend regular health appointments. Staff work with young people to support them and encourage them with self-care skills to promote health and well-being.

p.7

Good

Staff understand the importance of contact with important people in the young people’s lives. Contact is in line with the placing authorities’ care plan and incorporated into the young people’s placement plans.

p.7

Good

The young people are supported and encouraged in developing their independence skills in line with their age, ability and understanding. Young people enjoy cooking with staff and staff use these opportunities to spend quality time with them.

p.7

Good

The young people have individualised placement plans, which support staff in working with them in all aspects of their lives. However, the evidence trail of young people’s involvement is limited and there is no evidence that they are involved in these. Young people have regular key-work sessions where they discus all aspects of their lives. However, there is no evidence that the young people agree with what has been discussed as they do not comment or sign these.

p.7

Good

Staff understand the importance of recognising positive behaviours and these are recorded on a positive outcome record. However, these are not celebrated with the young person or other young people in a way that shows how proud staff clearly are of these achievements.

p.8

Good

The young people have been involved in choosing new decor and have been out with staff to purchase soft furnishings for the house. All young people have chosen wallpaper for their rooms. This will be completed over the summer holidays. A young person commented, ‘I have chosen wallpaper that looks like you are in a forest, it’s going to look really cool.’ Another said he had picked out purple paint. This supports young people in having a sense of belonging and ownership of the home.

p.8

Good

The young people spoken to say that they felt safe living in the home and could all name a member a staff they would speak to if they were worried or upset. They also knew that they could contact Ofsted. A young person had had a key-work session after moving in which informed him about the different people outside the home he could speak to if he felt he could not speak to staff. This ensures that young people can feel safe knowing that there are other adults who they can contact.

p.8

Good

The young people know how to complain and they feel listened to. There has only been one complaint since the last inspection and the manager responded to this within an appropriate timescale. One young person commented, ‘If I was unhappy about anything I would just tell staff, but I haven’t had to’. Another said, ‘I haven’t had to complain, I just talk to staff and they sort it.’

p.8

Good

Staff understand the importance of reinforcing boundaries. Staff were observed challenging a young person when he began to swear while on the home’s computer.

p.8

Good

Young people have not gone missing since moving into the home. There is an individual protocol for each young person should this happen, which shows that staff are proactive in safeguarding the young people and not reactive. Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for young people in the home and out in the community about potential risks and how these can be reduced. There are good, concise behaviour support plans, which outline triggers and strategies for working with the young people. Staff understand the importance of helping young people in managing certain risks, according to their age and understanding and in agreement with the social worker. This further safeguards the young people, while giving them some of the same opportunities as their peers in the community.

p.8

Good

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and are vigilant around the young people. Staff have completed training around safeguarding, ‘Prevent’ and child sexual exploitation. Staff have also completed internet safety training and staff speak to young people in young people’s meetings and key-work sessions about how to keep themselves safe.

p.9

Good

The designated officer for safeguarding in the home’s location has reported that there are no concerns about the home.

p.9

Good

Staff monitor young people when they are using electronic devices. Each young person has a personal log-in regulated by the school and set to individual settings according to age, understanding and risk. Young people have also undertaken internet safety e-learning with staff to give them a greater understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

p.9

Good

All medication is stored and recorded appropriately. Consent for medical treatment and first aid is in place for each young person. All weekly health and safety checks are up to date and identified actions are completed within the appropriate timescale.

p.9

Good

There have been 18 physical interventions since the last full inspection. These are low-level and some consist of staff guiding young people away from situations which could escalate. Staff record these appropriately and young people have reflective conversations, but there is no evidence that young people have commented or signed to say that they understand or were in agreement with the physical intervention.

p.9

Good

The manager is new to the position in the home but has worked for the company in another role. She has the registered manager’s award and is enrolled on the level 5 diploma. She has the relevant experience to manage the home. There was one requirement and one recommendation from the last inspection. These have both been met.

p.9

Good

Staff receive regular supervision which they report to be supportive. These are reflective and look at care practice, young people and personal development. Staff on probation receive fortnightly supervision to support them. All staff appraisals are up to date.

p.10

Good

There are regular staff meetings, which support staff with care practice and strategies for working with the young people. There are also clinical meetings, which support staff in working with and successfully being able to support young people with their behaviours and feelings. Staff report that if they have any worries or concerns about young people, they can email the clinical team and they respond quickly with advice. This means that staff can put strategies in place without having to wait for the next meeting.

p.10

Good

The home is maintained to a good standard; young people have recently been involved in choosing colours and soft furnishings and are excited about having their rooms redecorated over the summer holidays. Being involved in the decoration of the house gives young people ownership and a sense of belonging.

p.10

Good

There is evidence that recruitment checks are in place and staff do not start work in the home until all checks have been verified. Gaps in employment are checked and verified and the reason for staff leaving their last employment is recorded.

p.10

Good

All staff have completed or are due to compete the national vocational award within the specified timescale. All mandatory training has been completed.

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 in evaluating progression, patterns and trends. It will also alert her if staff have not completed specific pieces of work with the young people.

p.10

Good

Daily recordings are informative and give a good insight into the young person’s day, including health, behaviours, diet and appointments. Staff also record detailed conversations with young people as well as contact and conversations with professionals or carers.

p.10

Good

The manager and assistant manager have a good understanding of the strengths of the home and areas that need developing. Staff commented that they felt supported by both the manager and assistant manager and are supported and encouraged to bring new ideas to them. This means that managers and staff have ownership in supporting the young people to continually progress and have positive experiences.

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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’.

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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

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What the inspection judgements mean

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

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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 that 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

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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 0300 123 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, work- based 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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