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 as good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has not been a registered manager in post since May 2016. The home has had two interim managers to cover the position. A manager employed in January 2017 is currently being registered with Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The lack of management oversight has had an impact on the children. They are testing the boundaries and displaying some unwanted behaviours. The manager was observed during the inspection sticking to boundaries that have been put in place for one child. He explained to the child why these were in place despite the child threatening to cause criminal damage. The staff team were also observed reinforcing the boundaries in a calm but authoritative manner, which was successful.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were three requirements from the last inspection, which have not been met and will be repeated. There was one recommendation, and this has been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are up to date with their mandatory training. However, not all staff have completed their level 3 vocational qualification in the required timescale.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments and behaviour plans are clear, regularly reviewed and amended when necessary. These support the staff in working with children and keeping them safe. However, there is no evidence that the children read or understand these plans. There is space for the children to sign and comment on the plans, but they have not done so.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of the children learning to manage their own risks according to their age, understanding and ability, and in consultation with the social worker. A social worker commented, ‘The staff understand his risks and have helped him to manage these.’ Another commented, ‘He is learning, and part of that is that he learns how to keep himself safe.’ This shows that the staff are not risk averse and understand that the children need to learn to manage some risks to keep themselves safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have clear, individualised placement plans, which support the staff who are working with them. The children go through the plans with staff and have the opportunity to comment on each part of their plan, and sign and comment at the end. This shows that the staff support the children to be involved in and understand their placement plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Communication between the staff and social workers is good. A social worker commented, ‘The staff always keep me updated, I receive a weekly report which is informative and of good quality.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been 12 sanctions since the last inspection. They are fair and proportionate. There have been 73 rewards since the last inspection. This shows that the staff understand the importance of recognising and praising the children’s achievements. However, the children do not comment and sign the sanctions and rewards, and they are not always evaluated by the manager to ensure that patterns and trends are identified.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two complaints since the last inspection. These have been resolved within an appropriate timescale. However, the child has not commented or signed to say that they are happy with the outcome. There are regular ‘chill and chat’ meetings, in which the children have the opportunity to discuss wishes and feelings and purchases for the house. The manager responds to the children’s ‘chill and chat’ meetings. This enables them to see that their views, wishes and feelings are listened to, and that action is taken as a result.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff use defusing techniques and their good relationships with the children to defuse any potential unwanted behaviours. There has been one physical intervention since the last inspection. A record was made regarding the hold, but there is no evidence that the child was debriefed, as he has not signed or commented on the hold.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring is not robust. Not all paperwork is signed and commented on by the children to ensure that they are fully involved in their day-to-day care, and to support the manager in looking at trends and patterns of behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are not receiving regular supervision to support them in working with the children, or to enhance their personal development. However, the manager has put in place regular staff meetings to ensure consistency within the staff team and to support them to share good practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children participate in activities in the community. This gives them the opportunity to mix with their peers and build and maintain positive friendships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children continue to attend education. One child has recently been successful in obtaining an apprenticeship, while another attends school and has a part-time job. The staff understand the importance of education and actively support the children to attend. There is good communication between the staff and education providers. This means that the staff can work with the children to support them through any potential issues, which may affect their education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of teaching the children independence in accordance with their age, understanding and ability, and in consultation with their social workers. A child who has been working on his independence uses public transport, budgets his money, shops and cooks. He commented that he was confident and is more independent. A social worker commented, ‘He is doing well with his independence and has come a long way.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The house is decorated to a high standard. The manager has consulted the children in the new purchases for the house, and the redecoration programme. This shows that the children are involved in ensuring that their environment remains in good condition, and that their wishes and feelings are taken into account.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children and young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private provider. Children and young people may attend the linked school provision.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/05/2016 Full Good 22/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 12/08/2015 Full Good 05/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) This is with particular regard to fully following up any complaint made by a child. 08/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within five days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure.(Regulation 35 (3)(c)) 08/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only employ an individual to work at the children's home if the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification, and skills for the work that the individual is to perform. For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma") or a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma. The relevant date is, in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls two years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or, in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (2)(a)(3)(b)(4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

14. The care planning standard In order to meet the care planning standard (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. 05/05/2017 13. The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person is required to: (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 05/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 06/06/2017

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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

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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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