Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Bedford

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new registered manager has been appointed since the last inspection. She has the relevant experience and qualifications to manage the home. She has a clear vision of how she wants the home to progress. The manager has met the three requirements and one recommendation raised at the last inspection. There has been one physical intervention since the last inspection. The child concerned has been fully included in the evaluation and recording of the incident. They have signed the record to say that they understand and are happy with the outcome. This approach helps children to understand why staff have need to physically intervene and gives the children a formal opportunity to raise any concerns. There have been no complaints since the last inspection. The staff have completed key-work sessions with the children to ensure that they all understand how to make a complaint, and the process that will be followed. This supports children to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

raise concerns if they need to. Staff now receive regular, good-quality supervision which prioritises professional development and practice needs. The staff speak very highly of the manager, and all of the staff spoken to report that they feel valued and greatly supported in their roles.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children’s placement plans include opinion/comments from the children, showing that the children are included in the care planning process. The children’s records are up to date and provide detailed information to inform staff of potential risks, individual needs and progress. The manager monitors the records and plans meticulously, and works in close partnership with social workers by sending regular updates. This promotes the children’s progress.

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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. The manager visited the child and completed a comprehensive admission plan, alongside a compatibility risk assessment, to ensure that the admission would not have a negative impact on existing children. The new child was fully included in the process and given the opportunity to visit the home prior to their admission. This helped to reduce anxieties and promote a smooth transition.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education is a key focus in this home and all of the children are achieving 100% attendance. Staff are available to support the children onsite during education time. During this inspection, the school requested assistance and the staff responded immediately, as any good parent would do.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are supported to complete any homework on their return from school. Staff spend quality time each evening listening to the children reading a story to help them to progress their reading skills. This provides a good role model for the children and reinforces the importance of reading.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has recently improved the structure of the children’s meetings. The children now compile their own agenda beforehand. This helps them to focus on what is important to them and ensures that the voice of every child is heard.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff promote the children’s health needs by ensuring that they attend all of their health appointments. Oral health has improved significantly for all of the children due to staff remaining consistent in their approach, encouraging the children and ensuring that they brush their teeth twice daily.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff support the children to acquire independence skills which are age appropriate and tailored to suit their individual needs. Staff have recently started to support the older children to gain valuable skills in the community by accompanying them on public bus journeys to and from school. This enables the children to gain the confidence and practical skills required to travel independently in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent visitor undertakes monthly visits and produces a report. However, there have been significant delays in the reports being sent to Ofsted. This does not enable Ofsted to monitor the quality of care in a timely manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff meetings are structured and informative. Staff benefit from receiving regular clinical supervision in team meetings, which gives them guidance and strategies on how to work with each child. This ensures that the children receive a consistent approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children benefit from receiving one-to-one support and are encouraged to undertake activities such as fishing, army cadets and visiting the gym. Staff celebrate the children’s achievements and praise positive behaviour. This supports children in building confidence and self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff spoken to have a good understanding of safeguarding and have attended the appropriate training. A child who previously had a significant history of going missing from home has only gone missing on three occasions from this home. Staff have followed the procedures in place and undertaken direct key-work sessions with the child. As a result of this detailed work the home has had success in reducing the number of incidences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children feel listened to and they speak very fondly of the manager and staff. They have also developed positive relationships with one another. During this inspection a child said, ‘I’m very happy here, it’s just like a real family home, I love it and wouldn’t change anything.’

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Information about this children's home

This home is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to provide care for up to three children up to the age of 18 who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or moderate learning difficulties. The home provides a therapeutic approach to care.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/09/2016 Full Good 10/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 23/07/2015 Full Outstanding

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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

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person's report to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (7) (a)) In particular, ensure that the report is provided to Ofsted in a timely manner. 28/04/2017

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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 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 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

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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