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 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

The children have begun to make progress since the last inspection. A social worker commented, ‘He has made huge steps forward; the staff manage his behaviour really well.’ There is a stable team of staff in place who know and understand the children. The staff from the sister homes, who know the children, cover any gaps in the rota. This means that there is consistency in the home. A peripatetic manager oversees the home in the manager’s absence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have the chance to attend clubs in the community supported by staff. This gives them the opportunity to build friendships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has the relevant experience and qualifications to manage the home. There were two requirements from the last inspection; these 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 understand the importance of education and actively support the children to attend the organisation’s school. All of the children have high attendance. The staff actively support the children in school if they are finding things difficult. The communication between the school and home is good. The headteacher commented, ‘All the children are doing well, and we are pleased with their progression. Communication is good, and anything we have asked of the home has always been supported by staff.’ A child commented, ‘I like school, and I’m doing well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand that transitions both into and leaving the home can be difficult for the children. A child recently left the home; this was a planned move and has been successful. The child had a leaving meal, and all the children attended an activity together before he left. The staff and the children still see him at the school. Another child moved from the one-bedded unit, and this was to support him with learning to live within a group setting and having more independence. A third child has recently moved into the one-bedded unit. The transition was planned, and she was supported by staff to settle in and to buy new furniture for her bedroom. She commented that she has settled well and likes living there. The social worker said, ‘She has settled well and I know that staff will keep her safe. She has started to attend education, which is good.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children attend regular house meetings, which they chair. They talk about what has gone well and what has not gone well. The staff use these meetings to recognise the children’s achievements and to consult them about any purchases or decoration for the house. The staff record any actions that need to be taken and the outcome. The manager comments on the children’s meetings. However, the children do not comment or sign these to ensure that they are happy with actions taken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection. However, one child did write a list of things that he would like for the house on a complaints form. The manager has responded to him.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been six incidents of children going missing from the home since the last inspection. The staff are proactive in looking for the children in the local area and report the children as missing, in line with their individual protocol and risk assessments. The children have return to home interviews conducted by the social workers or an independent person. However, they do not routinely give feedback to the manager. The staff record a reflective conversation with the children on their return, but these are not signed by the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection. At the last inspection, the children did not have the opportunity to comment or sign records after a hold. This will be a repeated requirement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have completed all their mandatory training and have, or are due to complete, their Level 3 vocational qualification within the required timescale. A new member of staff commented that her induction had been good, and she has had the opportunity to complete training to support her working with the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of the children learning independence skills according to their age, understanding and risk and in consultation with the social worker. One child is currently undertaking sessions with the staff in regards to understanding the risks of using the internet. He has completed online training and is engaging in key-work sessions to support him in having access to the internet, and some monitored free time. This shows that the staff are not risk averse and understand that the children need to learn to manage risks while keeping themselves safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments are robust and regularly reviewed and updated. These are comprehensive and support the staff in working with the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have individualised placement plans. The staff are currently updating these using a new format which is detailed and involves the children being able to comment on each section. The children have signed to say that they have read and understood their placement plans. The children receive well-structured and regular key-work sessions from the staff that cover all aspects of their lives. However, the children do not comment or sign to confirm that they have understood or benefited from the session. There is also no evidence that the children have the opportunity to comment or sign records after an incident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is clean and tidy. The children commented that new sofas are arriving this week, and they were involved in choosing these. Some paintwork needs touching up, and the kitchen looks tired and worn. The flooring in the bathroom needs replacing as it has burn marks on it, and the carpet in the lounge of the one- bedded house needs replacing. The manager has begun to consult with the children on a redecoration programme for the house. The children’s bedrooms are spacious and personalised.

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Information about this children's home

The home and a one-bedded annex provide care and accommodation for no more than three children, 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 19/07/2016 Full Good 23/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/05/2015 Full Good 10/12/2014 Full Adequate

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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

In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(f) that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. 10/05/17

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within five working days of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, 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)) 10/05/17

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. In particular, ensure that they are maintained to a good, homely standard. This is with specific reference to some repainting in both homes and new carpet in the annex. 06/06/17

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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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