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

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 judges that it has improved in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have made good progress since the last inspection. They are supported to attend activities in the community and the staff encourage them to maintain positive relationships with their friends. The children have built good relationships with a staff team that knows and understands their individual needs. This was observed throughout the inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A child wrote a letter to the inspector saying how much he likes living in the home and how he has improved since moving in.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been in post since August 2016 and has the experience and qualifications to run the home. She is currently undertaking her level 5 qualification and she has been registered with Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the two recommendations raised at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children continue to attend education at the organisation’s school, where one is currently undertaking an A level course. Another child has an interview at the local college to undertake business studies. He commented, ‘Staff are helping me prepare for my interview. I’m nervous but excited at going to college.’ This shows that staff understand the importance of supporting children to attend and make progress with their education. There is good communication between school and the staff. The children’s home’s staff receive daily feedback on each child’s day.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. This was managed well and in consultation with the social worker and other professionals. The child has settled in and has made good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of enabling the children to develop their independence skills. The children help staff to cook and the staff support them to keep their rooms tidy, do their laundry and assist with chores around the house. One child has begun an independence programme that includes planning his menus, budgeting and shopping with staff and cooking his own meals. He commented that he feels that he is doing well and that he is enjoying having to be more responsible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are supported to manage risk in accordance with their age, understanding and ability and in consultation with the social worker and parents if appropriate. Since the last inspection, all of the children have had time-limited free time in the community. This has been fully risk-assessed. The children understand their responsibilities while they are in the community and the staff stay in the area to support them if needed. The children now also have a basic mobile phone and have televisions in their rooms. One child commented that it has made him feel more grown-up. The staff had good key-work sessions before the children could have free time and mobile phones. The children have all signed a contract to say that they understand their responsibilities. This shows that staff understand the importance of children learning to manage risks in a safe way and that the staff are not risk-averse.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are supported to use the internet; they have key-work sessions so that they understand the risks and how to use the internet safely. The children also complete e-safety training and sign a contract to say that they understand the rules of using the internet before having access. Staff monitor the children when they are using the internet, to ensure that the children are safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children engage with regular key-work sessions, which are individualised and cover a wide variety of topics. The sessions are child-friendly and staff add cartoon pictures to the records of the session to make it meaningful to the child. The children have the opportunity to sign and comment on their key-work records.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been seven sanctions since the last inspection. These have been fair and proportionate and the children comment on and sign the records. The manager evaluates the records to ensure that the consequences are fair and effective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff discuss positive behaviours with the children. The staff record and reward these behaviours, providing positive reinforcement. One child who was going out to a basketball match in London with staff on the day of the inspection had earned extra spending money to take. The manager also writes a comment, which is fed back to the children. This shows the children that staff recognise and value their achievements and positive behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidents of the children going missing or any physical interventions since the last inspection. Staff understand the importance of using positive relationships with the children to defuse any potential unwanted behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one complaint by a child since the last inspection. The manager resolved this in a timely way and the child has signed and commented on the action taken. There has been one anonymous complaint to Ofsted. The responsible individual responded to this and no further action was needed. The children have individualised placement plans that support the staff to work with them effectively. The staff regularly review and amend these plans as the children’s needs evolve. Children have the opportunity to read and sign their placement plans. The children have begun working with their key workers to produce child-friendly placement plans. These are individual and the children are able to put in pictures and help the staff to compile them. Staff understand that children need to be fully involved with their placement plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff receive regular one-to-one supervision, as well as group supervisions in staff meetings twice a month, and once a month with the clinical lead. Staff also have job chats between their supervisions, to support them to work consistently and effectively to meet the children’s needs. The manager discusses practice with the staff and takes action when needed. This ensures that staff safeguard the children and support them to progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children enjoy regular cultural nights and they celebrate different cultures and festivals. The staff have produced a large scrapbook with recipes, photos and information about these nights. This supports children to understand and celebrate different cultures and religions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have individual photo albums. These contain photos of activities, holidays and celebrations to build positive memories of the children’s time in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children attend regular house meetings to discuss the menu, activities, behaviours and decor or purchases for the house. The manager responds in writing after each meeting. This shows the children that staff listen to and act upon their wishes and feelings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff encourage the children to eat a well-balanced and healthy diet. Fruit is available at all times and staff support them to devise the menu. The staff have recently bought a smoothie maker and the children have started to make fruit shakes as a healthy option.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of contact for the children and their families. The staff work closely with the social workers and families to ensure that children have appropriate contact which is safe and meaningful.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager monitors the care practice in the home. She produces graphs on a regular basis, which show the children’s progress in all aspects of their lives. She also uses feedback from the independent visitor to improve the quality of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has had some redecoration work since the last inspection. A child proudly showed off the lounge, which the children helped to paint. He explained that they had chosen a new carpet. The children are in the process of choosing decor for the kitchen. The children have been able to choose the decor for their bedrooms, which are decorated to a good standard. One child has had his en suite bathroom completely replaced. This all helps the children to feel valued and encourages them to take pride in their home.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A private organisation owns and operates the provision.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 31/05/2016 Full Good 08/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 04/08/2015 Full Good 16/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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, 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,

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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