Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Bedford

Inspection report children's home: SC484114 1 SC484114 Registered provider: Oracle Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children‟s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children's home: SC484114 2

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children have positive relationships with a staff team that knows and understands their individual needs.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The staff are consistent in setting boundaries and appropriately challenge any inappropriate behaviours.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children are encouraged to attend individual activities, both in the home and in the community.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The staff understand the importance of education and support the children with their homework and listen to the children read.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children say that they feel happy and safe living in the home.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The children are supported to learn about appropriate risks in consultation with their social worker.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The manager challenges professionals to ensure that the needs of the children are well supported.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The staff understand the importance of celebrating the children‟s achievements.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children‟s home‟s areas for development

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Key findings from this inspection

 The staff need to ensure that they use the electronic recording system in a consistent way.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The staff attend regular meetings with the organisation‟s clinician. However, the notes are not sent to the manager in a timely way, to ensure that staff are working in a consistent way.

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Key findings from this inspection

 There are monthly reports from the independent visitor. However, these have not been sent to Ofsted by the organisation within the required timescale.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Inspection report children's home: SC484114 3 13/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/09/2016 Full Good 10/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 23/07/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children's home: SC484114 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to 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 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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the report is provided to Ofsted in a timely manner. 25/07/2017

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Recommendation

 Staff should be familiar with the home‟s policies on record-keeping („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 62, paragraph 14.4). This is in regard to the staff putting information in a consistent place on the electronic system.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have good, trusting relationships with staff who know and understand their individual needs. A child commented, „The staff here talk to you and really care, it‟s not just pretend.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children make good progress in the home. The staff understand the importance of education and actively support and encourage children to attend. The staff support the children with their homework and read with the children every evening; this support is incorporated into the children‟s daily routines. This shows that the staff understand the importance of supporting the children with their academic studies. A child commented, „I read with the staff every day, and my reading has got better.‟ Another commented, „Staff help us do our homework and then we do reading. I‟m reading “The Hunger Games”, it‟s really good.‟ Two of the children attend the organisation‟s school and have a high attendance record. The headteacher commented, „Communication between the school and home is good. The staff help the children with reading and extra school work to support them.‟ One child is currently on an alternative timetable with support from the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

school; the child said, „I have learnt a lot since working with the tutor at home, and I‟m starting college in September, so I can meet people my own age which will be much better for me.‟ Inspection report children's home: SC484114 5 The staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the children, the reasons why they are in care and what their current needs are. The staff understand the impact that a new child can have on the current group. The manager completes a robust impact risk assessment to ensure that any risks are identified as part of the referral process. There has been one admission since the last full inspection. The manager met with the child and gave him the children‟s guide and photos of the house. This helps to prepare children before they move into the home. A child commented, „I did meet the manager, then moved in quickly, it‟s the best move I‟ve ever made.‟ His social worker commented,

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

„He has built very positive relationships with the staff.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff understand the importance of celebrating the children‟s achievements and discuss them with the children at the in-house meetings and in key-work sessions. The manager and the children comment on the progress that the children make on positive recording sheets. This helps to focus and motivate the children to achieve and it reinforces to them that the staff are proud of them and value their achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children‟s health needs are promoted. The children are registered with the local doctor, dentist and opticians. Staff record the appointments with any outcomes or actions that are required. The children receive regular therapy sessions as stated in the statement of purpose and function. A therapist commented, „The manager is keen to ensure that therapy is integrated into their daily lives. Communication is very good, and I am invited to all the reviews, key-work sessions to complement the therapy outside of the sessions.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff encourage and support the children to lead healthy lifestyles. A child commented, „I go to the gym, and I cook healthy meals, it‟s important to be healthy.‟ A member of staff commented, „All the children love walking and being in the country; we often go for long walks, it‟s important for them to have regular exercise.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Mealtimes are an important part of the daily routine in the home. The children and the staff eat their meals together; this is seen as an opportunity to discuss their day and any plans for the evening. There was lots of chatter and appropriate banter was observed during the evening meal, which created a positive, homely environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children take part in a wide variety of activities, both in the home and in the community. This helps the children to have new experiences, which enable them to them build their self-esteem and increase their confidence and social skills with their peers. The staff support the children to follow individual hobbies. One child commented, „I help out at the falconry, where I clean the pens, feed the birds and help set up displays; in the summer I‟m going to complete a qualification in falconry at the centre.‟ Another child commented, „I go boxing twice a week, and I‟m going to apply for my licence. I also go to cadets. I do so much more here than in my past place.‟ A social worker commented, „He has so much more opportunities to do activities which have really supported him.‟ A child‟s carer said, „He‟s always out doing something, the staff are great and are taking him out.‟ Inspection report children's home: SC484114 6

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff understand the importance of promoting and maintaining contact with the children‟s families and carers. A carer commented, „He can phone us when he wants, and staff bring him over for contact with his brother, and they support other family contact, if we are having a family get-together the staff will always bring him over.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children attend weekly house meetings. The children complete an individual agenda before each meeting to ensure they have their opinions heard. The meetings are used for the children to discuss activities, menus and any issues or requests for the house. The staff also use these meetings to consult with the children and to see if they are worried about anything. The manager comments on the records of the meetings, which shows the children that their views, wishes and feelings are listened to and acted upon.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have regular key-work sessions that cover a wide variety of topics which help the children to make progress. The children have the opportunity to comment on and sign the reports of the sessions, which shows their involvement and understanding of the sessions. A key worker who was concerned that a child was using his boxing skills outside of the club informed the child they would be speaking to the coach and gave the child the opportunity to be present. The child was fully involved in the discussion and understood the implications of his behaviour. This shows that the staff act as a good parent would if they had concerns about their child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are supported to develop their independence in line with their care plans, age, ability and understanding. The children are encouraged to keep their rooms tidy and bring down their laundry to be washed. The children also complete chores around the house. One child commented, „I have started my independence and have started to budget, plan and cook my meals.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have individualised placement plans, which support the staff in working with them on all aspects of their lives. The children have the opportunity to sign and comment on the plans so that the children understand current and future plans that are in place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a children‟s guide which explains the rules, boundaries, expectations and routines of the home. It details organisations the children can contact if they are worried or upset and do not want to speak to staff. There are photos of the house and the staff and the guide can be individualised for each child. The manager sends the guide by email to any new children before they move into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is set in a rural location. The home is decorated to a good standard. However, the downstairs toilet needs to be redecorated as it is not in keeping with the rest of the house. The upstairs bathroom is due to be painted. The children recently completed some work in the garden with staff, which shows that the children take a pride in their environment. The children‟s bedrooms are spacious and they have had the opportunity to personalise them. A child commented, „I‟m happy here because the house is homely.‟ Inspection report children's home: SC484114 7

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff challenge any unwanted behaviours and reinforce boundaries by taking into account each child‟s age and level of understanding. The staff and child have a reflective conversation after a child has displayed any unwanted behaviours. This supports the children in understanding the reasons why the staff have challenged their behaviour and helps them look at more appropriate ways of expressing themselves.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The children say that they feel safe living in the home and can talk to staff if they are worried or upset. One child commented, „I don‟t run away from this home because I feel safe and the staff do things with you, in my last home I didn‟t have a lock on my bedroom so anyone could walk in and take your stuff, I have a key to my room here so know that people can‟t just come in.‟

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff understand that the children need to feel safe and secure in order to progress. There have been no incidents of bullying since the last full inspection. The staff regularly discuss bullying in the children‟s meetings. The children complete work with the staff around why people bully, how this can leave people feeling and how to recognise and report on bullying. One child commented, „I haven‟t been bullied at home but I was picked on by a pupil at the school, I told staff and they went into school and sorted it out, and it‟s now stopped.‟

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Comprehensive risk assessments are in place. The assessments outline the risks and the strategies in place for managing any challenging behaviours safely. These are regularly reviewed and amended when necessary.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Health and safety checks are completed and are up to date. An area risk assessment has been completed which outlines potential risks in the area and any actions needed to reduce the risks.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

All medication is stored, administered and recorded appropriately. All of the staff have completed medication training. Arrangement are in place so that two staff members administer and sign for medication at all times to further safeguard the children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been three incidents of a child leaving the home without authority since the last full inspection. However, there have been no further incidents since January 2017. These incidents pertained to one child, whose social worker commented, „He was missing every day at his last placement, which was why he was moved, he has done so well since moving to the home.‟ The child commented, „I was bored at my last home, there was nothing to do, I came here and staff do things with you, so I don‟t need to run away.‟ This shows that the staff understand the importance of engaging with the children to keep them safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff understand the importance of safeguarding the children in line with the home‟s policy. All of the staff have completed the relevant safeguarding training and are vigilant around the children. This supports the staff to understand the children‟s vulnerabilities and potential risks. Inspection report children's home: SC484114 8 The staff understand the importance of the children being able to learn to understand how to manage some risks themselves, according to their age, understanding and ability and in agreement with their social workers. This awareness means that the children have the same opportunities as their peers and shows that staff are not risk averse.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff report any concerns to the designated officer and follow any advice given. The designated officer commented that there were no concerns regarding the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been no complaints from children in regard to the home since the last full inspection. The children know how to complain. One child commented, „I would talk to staff and they would sort it out but I have never had to complain.‟ The staff have supported a child who has put in a complaint regarding an incident at the school. This shows that the staff are proactive in supporting the children when they are not happy with a decision which has been made regarding their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since November 2016 and has the relevant qualifications and experience to manage the home. The children are central to the home. The manager has a clear vision for the home and is working closely with the staff to develop their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There was one recommendation from the last inspection which has not been met and will be repeated. The manager monitors the care practice and the children‟s progress. She uses the reports from the independent visitor as part of the monitoring system to help drive improvement. However, there is a significant delay in the organisation sending these reports to Ofsted, meaning that the home cannot be monitored in a timely way regarding issues in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Communication between the social workers and parents or carers is good. A social worker commented, „I‟m very impressed with the communication from the staff.‟ Another commented, „Since the manager returned, communication is better, and I‟m always kept in the loop.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff have completed all their mandatory training along with specialised therapeutic training to support the home‟s statement of purpose and function. The staff have, or are registered on, the level 3 national vocational qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment is robust. All checks are completed and verified before the staff can begin to work in the home. The children are involved in the recruitment of staff. One child recently sat on the interview panel and asked a set of questions that had been produced by the children. As part of the recruitment process, the children meet the potential staff who have successfully completed the first stage of the process. The manager then reviews the feedback from the children, which supports the decision-making on any appointments that are made. The inclusion of the children shows that the manager Inspection report children's home: SC484114 9 understands the importance of the children being involved in the decision of who is caring for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A new member of staff commented that she found the first week of her induction informative and that it supported her to begin working in the home. The staff receive regular supervision and comment that they find this supportive when working with the children and for developing their practice. All of the staff‟s appraisals are up-to-date. The staff speak highly of the manager and comment that they feel their views and recommendations are listened to by the manager. This support makes the staff feel involved in the development of the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff meetings are held fortnightly; these support the staff in working with the children and developing their care practice. Once every three months, the children attend the staff meeting to discuss any issues in the home, such as rules and boundaries or things they wish to purchase for the house. This shows that the staff understand the importance of children being involved in the day-to-day running of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are regular clinical meetings to support the staff with working with the children. However, the clinical notes are not sent to the manager in a timely way. This means that the staff may not be working in line with the clinician‟s recommendations, which could lead to staff working inconsistently with the children.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

Using the „Social care common inspection framework‟, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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‟. Inspection report children's home: SC484114 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oracle Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 54 Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4HS

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Inspector

Trish Palmer: social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC484114 11 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children‟s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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