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:

 Young people say that they are safe, happy and well cared for at this home. They put their progress down to the exceptional support they receive from the staff team. One young person said, ‘I cannot thank them enough. The excellent progress is down to the staff who have supported me through some difficult times.’  Young people are fully involved in making decisions about their lives. They regularly comment on aspects of their care. They attend their reviews and have a positive influence on outcomes.  The home has used innovative ways of working with young people. For example, staff have used social media to introduce themselves to a young person coming to the home and supported a young person to do a PowerPoint presentation for her review.  Both young people have passed compulsory school age, but are continuing with further education to enhance their employment opportunities. Alongside this, both young people are working in the community.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people’s health is prioritised. Over the years and with good incentive schemes in place, young people have come to realise the importance of good health. As a result, they attend all appointments and engage well with additional services.  Young people are safe and are supported to take age-appropriate risks. When concerns arise, quick and decisive action is taken. Young people say that they are much safer now than when first placed because staff have worked hard to enable them to understand why something is unsafe.  Young people are now at an age when they are being prepared for independence. Their skills are being assessed and they are receiving advice and support when necessary. Good pathway plans are in place to ensure that the young people and staff are working towards the same goals.  The home is well managed. An experienced manager with a stable staff team ensures that young people receive continuity of care from people who

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The children's home provision is good because:

know them well. Staff receive good training and support to be able to effectively care for young people. However, some shortfalls were found in the home’s records and in the monitoring of the home. For example, risk assessments are generic, restrictions to contact arrangements are not clear, records do not show a young person’s starting points and progress and the location risk assessment does not link to the referral process. Further to this, the regulation 44 report lacks detail and evaluation to allow the manager to improve the service, and the manager has not sent a regulation 45 report to Ofsted within the required timescales. These shortfalls have not impacted on the excellent progress that young people are making.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered persons meet 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports The independent person must produce a report about a visit which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and that the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. This is specifically in relation to evaluating the quality of the records in the home. (Regulation (4)(a)(b)) 31/10/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The location review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home's location and strategies for managing these. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that these risks are considered when accepting referrals to the home. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  The processes that the registered person puts in place to enable such a review to take place should allow for a report to be generated at least once every six months. The generated report should be sent to Ofsted. This is specifically in relation to the timely submission of the report to Ofsted. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.3)  Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the

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Recommendations

arrangements in place to protect them. This is specifically in relation to having individualised risk assessments. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  There may be circumstances in which children's home’s staff assess that restriction of contact is necessary in the interests of the child. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that any identified restrictions are clearly recorded and that they give staff information to safeguard children if an incident were to occur. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.16)  The home's records on each child should represent a significant contribution to their life history. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that children's starting points and progress are clearly recorded. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)

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Information about this children's home

This privately run children’s home can accommodate three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

09/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Good

Generally, young people come to this home in a planned way. This includes members of staff visiting them and the young people coming to the home to look around, meet people and stay for tea. This was not possible with the newest admission due to her being in restricted accommodation. However, staff used a social media device to link up with her, to have chats and to introduce themselves. The young person said, ‘This was great because I felt that I knew everyone when I came.’ The manager uses the referral information provided by local authorities to make an informed decision on whether the home can meet a young person’s individual needs. As part of this process, this is shared with staff in a staff meeting. Thus, staff are able to comment, discuss and agree on the decline or acceptance of a referral. However, although there is a good locality risk assessment in place that identifies immediate risks such as the main road and other risks in the community,

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Good

the manager has not linked this information with the impact risk assessment when considering referrals. For example, she has identified that there is a bridge a short distance away. One young person has a history of jumping off a bridge. Thus, she has not clearly identified how the home can manage this risk or what has been put in place at the home to reduce the risk. This has not currently impacted on young people but does not demonstrate that young people are suitably placed. Young people say that this is a good home where they are happy, safe and enjoying life. One young person wrote a glowing testimonial about the home. She said, ‘My journey has been amazing. My life was a mess before living here. I am now a grown woman with amazing friends and staff. I love living here and wouldn’t change it. Thank you staff for getting me through the issues and my emotional days.’ Another young person said, ‘I settled within days here. That is

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Good

unusual for me as it takes me a long time. But it [is] so homely, warm, and welcoming. Staff listen to me and I am involved in all the decisions about my life.’ Young people say that they are fully involved in all aspects of their care, and their views, wishes and feelings are taken into account. Young people often comment in their records and feel that they can influence outcomes. A range of records are used to record information, appointments and outcomes, but they do not clearly show how young people have progressed over time. This is because staff have not recorded the young people’s starting points. For example, prior to coming to this home, a young person’s oral health and hygiene were bad. She required a lot of dental work, but she refused to attend the dentist. The home worked closely with a range of professionals to ensure that she understood why she needed the treatment and discussed all the options open to her. After a lot of failed

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Good

appointments and continued support, she received the treatment she needed. However, the records only identify the appointments rather than all the excellent steps taken to ensure that she was in good health. This means that the home has not clearly evidenced her progress. More importantly, when the young person accesses her records now or in later life, she will not be able to fully see the journey she has taken. Young people are helped to express themselves in different ways. A young person recently did a PowerPoint presentation for her review. She said, ‘I wanted to be well prepared for it and cover all the things I wanted to say. It went really well.’ The independent reviewing officer commented that this gave her more control of her review and allowed her to relax. This innovative idea also helps young people to build information technology skills. Young people say that staff listen to them well and try to make things happen.

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Good

When they are unhappy about things, they are able to raise issues informally and formally through the complaints system in the home. One young person said, ‘I made a complaint but the manager resolved it quickly. She did some mediation between two staff members and me. I am happy with the outcome and get on well with the staff.’ This good practice has allowed differences to be aired and has maintained the good relationships that both parties have. In addition to this, the young people were able to identify several independent people whom they could contact if they were unhappy or had a concern. Young people are well supported with their overall health and emotional health. They have weekly therapy with clinicians, and strategies of support are discussed and agreed. The clinicians then attend the staff meeting to discuss the support required from staff and the young people’s progress. They provide additional

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Good

reading material for staff to read, such as articles on the therapy that they use. In addition to this, clinicians offer training on the emotional aspects of some behaviours, such as self-harm or risk-taking behaviour. This means that all staff give an informed response, and young people receive consistency of care. As a result, young people say that they are building up their emotional resilience and can handle situations a lot better. This is also evident in the reduction of self- harming behaviours. Young people are well supported to ensure that all their physical health needs are met. The staff team liaises with other professionals, such as the assigned health nurse, to ensure that young people receive the services that they require. A health professional commented on the excellent care given at Brunswick House. She said that staff are quick to support young people and liaise well with health professionals. Additionally, young people’s medication is regularly

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Good

reviewed by a health professional. Medication is dispensed, given and signed for accordingly. All staff hold a first aid qualification and have undertaken medication training. This means that robust procedures are followed so that young people receive their medication in line with their prescription. Staff have high aspirations for young people and instil the value of a good education, further education and employment. This is evident in young people’s attendance and achievement. For example, one young person has recently gained her level 1 in business studies and is registered on an apprenticeship course to complete her level 2 in September. She is also awaiting several exam results in English, mathematics and functional skills. Another young person has been out of education, prior to coming here, for a long time. She is now over 16 so does not have to attend formal education as a legal requirement. However, the manager

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Good

quickly identified a place on an alternative education scheme for her. She has continued to attend this placement throughout the summer break, as she is keen to learn. She is also awaiting an apprenticeship. She said, ‘I want to be a solicitor, so I know I need to do well in education.’ Both young people have applied for employment in the local area and have been successful at their interviews. One young person has a very early start at a bakery and has changed her routine at the home to ensure that she gets enough sleep and arrives on time. She said, ‘I love it. It is hard work, but great. I am saving for a car.’ This demonstrates that young people have ambitions for their future and are being prepared for independence. Young people enjoy a range of activities. They attend music concerts, the cinema, the gym and have days out. Both young people enjoy pampering evenings and shopping for cosmetics and clothes. There are several photographs displayed in the

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Good

home that show staff joining in these pamper nights and makeovers. This demonstrates that there are good structures and routines in the home that balance education, employment and fun. One young person has recently been abroad on holiday. She said, ‘It was fantastic. I just chilled by the pool and went to the beach. It was my first time flying and I loved it.’ This home excels at keeping memorabilia for young people. Young people have memory boxes in which they store photographs, tickets, certificates and trinkets from holidays. The home has just introduced a memory book. Staff make witty comments, messages of praise and say ‘thank you’ for memorable moments. For example, both young people made the manager a birthday cake and the manager took a photograph and thanked them in this book. In later life, young people will be able to reflect on these good times. Young people have different contact arrangements with their family members.

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Good

These arrangements have been specified by the local authority and include some restrictions. However, these restrictions are not clearly recorded in the young people’s contact plans. More specifically, the contact plans do not give any guidance on the actions that members of staff should take if a breach of these restrictions were to occur. This does not ensure that young people are safe from known unsuitable adults. Young people have made good progress in their independence skills. They are budgeting, shopping, preparing and cooking meals and taking responsibility for their personal needs. This has been made possible because there are good independence plans in place, which assess the young people’s skills and the help they require to improve them. One young person is taking driving lessons and hopes to buy a car in the future. Pathway plans are in place, and the young people are at a point of considering where they would like to live in the future. Discussions

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Good

are taking place in placement meetings, and there are reviews of the suitability and action required from all parties. As a result, young people say that they are confident that they have the skills required to be self-sufficient and they are fully involved in the decisions about their future.

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Good

Both young people said that they were extremely safe at this home. They said that staff are very clear with them about keeping themselves safe and they always give good advice on how risks may affect them. One young person said, ‘I have come such a long way. I am safe and doing really well.’ One young person has gained skills in being safe when online. Members of staff have used social media videos to explain risks of potential grooming online, for example, a preventative video about fake profiles. The young person said, ‘This has really helped me in not sharing too much information and making sure who I am taking to.’ Consequently, young people learn how to keep themselves safe while having the same opportunities as their peers. Young people said that the best thing about this home is the relationships that they have with staff. They say that staff are clear and honest, listen to them, and have their best interests at heart. One young person said, ‘They show they care in

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Good

everything they do. They still support you when you have a bad day or when you feel that you do not deserve it. That’s what makes them special.’ Staff take pride in their strong relationships that have brought about positive outcomes for young people. The current young people have not been reported missing from this home. A past resident had several periods of being missing. The home followed the local authority’s missing-from-home protocol and actively searched and tried contacting the young person to ascertain his whereabouts. Return interviews were completed to ensure that the reasons for going missing could be addressed. In conjunction with this, staff talked to the young person about being safe and safety issues. The young person was adamant that he did not want to live here and wanted to be nearer his home. He said that he would continue to go missing regardless of what members of staff did. Therefore, the home quickly realised that they could not

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Good

keep him safe and terminated his placement. He is now settled in a new placement and telephones the home to have a chat with different staff members. Feedback from a local community police officer said that the home had forged a good relationship with them that had proved vital in some situations. He continued to say that, from a personal point of view, the staff are always helpful and professional and provide a suitable environment for the residents to thrive to their best potential. Staff work closely with a range of safeguarding professionals to ensure that young people are safe. Professionals say that when a concern arises swift action is taken, everybody is informed, extra safeguarding measures are put in place and strategy meetings are arranged. For example, when a past resident’s behaviour was a concern, the company put more staffing in place. This meant that staff could deal with situations without them impacting on other young people. Any allegation

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Good

about a member of staff is quickly addressed and reported to the relevant professionals. Meticulous records are kept to show the action taken, involvement of all agencies and the outcome. This ensures that all procedures are strictly followed. All staff are trained in safeguarding procedures, which include recognising behaviour and patterns of child sexual exploitation and accessing the internet safely. They demonstrate a good understanding of this and act quickly on any concerns. This ensures that young people are fully safeguarded. Young people generally behave very well. However, there have been occasions when they have been held for their or others’ safety. All members of staff are fully trained in holding techniques and pride themselves on using good de-escalation techniques to divert negative behaviour before having to hold someone. There are good risk assessments in place that give staff advice on the agreed strategies and

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Good

actions to take if an incident were to occur. However, they are generic. For example, both young people have been risk assessed for smoking when neither of them smokes. This does not ensure that the assessments are individual to the young people. Effective behaviour management plans mean that young people are not overly sanctioned and they are able to turn negative behaviour around through good incentive charts, rewards and celebrating achievements. As part of this, young people have earned extra money, activities and trips out for meals. Young people get the chance to apologise, make good and reflect on their behaviour through purposeful key-working sessions. Thus, they are able to empathise and learn from their actions. Young people live in a safe, homely and well-maintained home. This is because the manager and staff take their responsibilities seriously and ensure that all health and safety requirements are fully met. Renewals of safety equipment and fire

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Good

evacuations are completed regularly. Judgement grade

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Good

The manager was registered with Ofsted in October 2013. She has a suitable management and leadership qualification. She has extensive experience of working with young people in a care setting. Recently, further support has been introduced to assist the manager with the appointment of a well-qualified and experienced senior member of staff. The home’s statement of purpose reflects the service provided by the home. It is updated regularly, and there is a good connection between this and the home’s development plan. There have been two newly appointed members of staff since the home’s last inspection. The recruitment procedure is very robust because the applicants’ employment history, references, qualifications and criminal checks are vetted thoroughly. This ensures that young people are, as far as possible, safeguarded from unsuitable adults. Prior to their interview, applicants are given an opportunity

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Good

to visit the home, and young people are able to meet them and ask questions. Their thoughts are gathered by the manager and are considered when decisions about appointments are made. New staff undertake an induction to the home, which includes their completing a range of mandatory training. They are supervised regularly and have to successfully complete a six-month probationary period. The manager has introduced new sessions on policies and procedures and online training, which she calls ‘job chats’. This allows her to assess the new staff members’ knowledge and understanding, and how these inform their practice. She said, ‘I can then assess whether they need more support or a different type of learning style. This means that all members of staff are continually appraised. Young people benefit from being cared for by a stable staff team that is effectively managed and well supported. All staff have a recognised qualification in childcare,

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Good

and their knowledge is enhanced through regular training. They receive regular supervision and have the opportunity to discuss their practice and any developmental opportunities. Staff meetings are regular and give staff the opportunity to discuss any changes in policies, practice or legislation. Due to both young people being either in education or at work when staff meetings take place, a young person came up with the idea of having a breakfast club. All staff are expected to attend and young people and staff cook a full English breakfast. They discuss numerous topics, activities and their week ahead. Young people say that this gives them an opportunity to know about any changes and to make comments or suggestions, and they all know what has been agreed or not agreed. Young people are central to the care that they receive at this home. This is because they are given and encouraged to discuss and comment on all aspects of

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Good

their care in their records and in meetings. As a result, young people said that they can influence the care that they receive and know that this is important because it is about them. The manager has forged strong links with partner agencies and professionals, such as teachers, health professionals and social workers. This means that effective joint working ensures that young people receive the care that they need. At the last inspection, the home was asked to ensure that regulation 44 reports fully evaluate the effectiveness of the quality of care and outcomes for young people. This report has not improved because it often just lists dates of events or incidents rather than commenting on the quality of the record. Similarly, when incidents have not occurred, the independent visitor has not checked whether this is because young people and staff do not know the procedure or whether it is because there are good systems in place. For example, the report says that there

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Good

have been no complaints this month. However, the visitor has not checked whether the new young person understands the complaints system or whether staff know how to support them in accessing this. Further to this, the manager said, ‘The report only helps me in identifying when paperwork is out of date or not in place. [It does] not help to improve or develop the service.’ This does not ensure that a robust independent view is given on the quality of care in the home. In contrast to this, the manager’s six-monthly monitoring review is of a good standard. She has consulted with young people and other professionals well, and their feedback continues to influence the development of the home, for example, by identifying that a full overhaul of the kitchen was needed. However, she has not sent this report to Ofsted within the required timescales.

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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 that 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 whom 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 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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