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

Inspection report children's home: SC455338 1 SC455338 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 registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private provider. Children may attend the linked school provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: declined in effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

Inspection report children's home: SC455338 2 This children’s home requires improvement to be good because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Monitoring systems are not robust enough to ensure that care practice issues are being addressed.  Risk assessments are not always reviewed and amended in a timely way.  The staff are not receiving regular supervision.  There is little evidence to show that the children’s wishes and feelings are listened to and acted on.  Some areas in the home are in need of redecoration and repair.  Not all staff have completed their level 3 diploma within the required timescales.  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 the staff are working in line with the clinician’s recommendations.  Staff report that independence work lacks structure for the children.  Children’s files are not always updated.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff have built positive relationships with the children and understand why they are in care.  Children are supported and encouraged to build and maintain positive friendships in the community.  The staff understand the importance of recognising and celebrating children’s achievements.  Staff are consistent with boundaries and challenge inappropriate behaviours.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 24/05/2016 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC455338 3 22/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 12/08/2015 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC455338 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

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children and use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)) 02/10/17

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Requirement

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children and use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(vi)) 02/10/17

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Requirement

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. (Regulation 7 (1)(c)) 02/10/17

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Requirement

The health and well-being standard is that the health and well- being needs of children are met. In particular, the standard in paragraph (2) requires the registered person to ensure that staff help each child to achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(2)(a)(i))

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Requirement

This is in relation to the clinical reports not being sent to the manager in a timely way. 02/10/17

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Requirement

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the 02/10/17 Inspection report children's home: SC455338 5 children’s home that helps children to aspire to their full potential and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(h)) 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 1 April 2014, the date which falls two years after the date on which the individual

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Requirement

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 1 April 2014, 1 April 2016. (Regulation 32 (2)(a)(3)(b)(4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b)) 02/10/17

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Requirement

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)) 02/10/17

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Requirement

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home that an accurate record is made which includes the effectiveness and consequences of the use of the measure, and within five days of the use of the measure, the registered person or authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)(c)) 02/10/17

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Requirement

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard). When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1)(2)) 02/10/17

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Recommendations

 Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform Inspection report children's home: SC455338 6 and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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Recommendations

 The specific responsibilities of the home towards supporting the health and well- being of each child should be agreed with the placing authority and recorded in the child’s placement plan. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.7)

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Recommendations

This is in relation to the registered person ensuring that placement plans are kept updated.

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improvement to be good

Overall monitoring of the service is not robust. As a result, the care provided to the children placed is variable. Three children have recently left the home, and there has been one admission since the last inspection. The children have built up good positive relationships with a dedicated staff team. The staff support the children to progress, and are proud of the achievements they have made.

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improvement to be good

The staff supported the children who have recently left the home to secure college placements near to where they are living. For one child who did not know the area well, the staff took him on the bus from where he will be living to his college several times, to build his confidence. This support shows that staff work with the children to ensure that, when they move on, they have the necessary skills to support themselves. There has been one admission since the last inspection. The child was met by the manager before coming to the home, for a visit to both the home and the organisation’s school. The social worker commented, ‘It’s early days but the staff have begun to build good relationships with him.’

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improvement to be good

The staff understand the importance of education, and support the children in having the opportunities to attend appropriate education provisions. However, one child had been excluded from college. The staff worked with education providers to find a suitable placement, but he remained out of education for some time before leaving the home.

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improvement to be good

The children have regular key-work sessions covering a wide variety of topics that help them progress. Records of the sessions are made by staff, together with any follow-up actions. The children have the opportunity to sign and comment these records, which shows their involvement and understanding of the sessions. Staff use these sessions to set new targets that are reviewed with each child as part of the monthly key-worker review report. This shows that the children are involved, and understand what targets Inspection report children's home: SC455338 7 they are working towards.

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improvement to be good

The staff recognise the children’s achievements and celebrate these with them by organising rewards for the children. For example, one child got to go to Aston Villa to watch a football match, and another went on a trip to London. This shows that staff celebrate in a way which is meaningful to the children. It also shows that staff value children, and recognise when they have done well. The staff understand the importance of children building and maintaining positive friendships in the community, and actively support this to happen.

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improvement to be good

All children are registered with the local doctor, dentist and opticians, and are up to date with their health appointments. The staff record any outcomes and actions required. However, appointments are not recorded on the children’s placement plans to ensure that routine health checks are kept up to date.

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improvement to be good

There are regular house meetings, which children attend. The children have the opportunity to discuss plans and activities, or any purchases for the house. However, there is no evidence to show how the outcomes from these discussions are fed back to the children. Nor is there evidence to indicate that the children’s wishes and feelings are taken into account, or that the staff are listened to and that their opinions are valued.

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improvement to be good

The staff understand the importance of contact for both the children and their families. The support that staff provide is in line with the social workers’ care plans. This has successfully led to children returning to live with or near family members.

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improvement to be good

The children are supported in developing some independence skills in line with their age, understanding and ability. Three children have recently moved from the home into independent or semi-independent accommodation. One child worked towards having a key to the house, and was able to spend an hour on this own in the home. This approach shows that staff are not risk averse, and understand that the children need to have the same opportunities as their peers. Although the staff support the children in completing independence work, some staff commented that independence work was not structured and more could be done to support the children.

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improvement to be good

The children have individual placement plans that cover all aspects of their lives. Each child has the opportunity to comment throughout their care plan, and sign to say that they understand the plan. This shows that the staff know the importance of the children understanding and being involved with their plans. However, these are not always updated with relevant information, for example children’s independence and transition plans. The new child’s plan is sparse, with some basic information missing, meaning that staff may not be working with the child consistently.

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improvement to be good

There is a comprehensive children’s guide, which explains about the home and the day- to-day routines. The staff have completed a key-work session with a new child to explain the guide, and have used this to get to know his likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests. This shows that the staff use the guide to help children feel settled, and to begin to build positive relationships. During the inspection, good interaction was observed between Inspection report children's home: SC455338 8 staff and a child new to the home. The staff were organising a day out, and the child was involved with the planning. He appeared relaxed, and there was appropriate banter between staff and the child.

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improvement to be good

The home is set in a rural location and has gone through some redecoration since the last inspection. The office has been turned into a second sitting room for the children, with new furniture. This room provides extra space for the children to use if they wish to have time and space on their own. However, some parts of the house need redecoration, such as the main lounge and some of the bedrooms. The bathroom upstairs needs some repairs to shelving. The showerhead does not work, and the shower tray is mouldy. A child who recently moved in has had the opportunity to pick his own furniture; this has arrived, but needs to be built. The child is currently living out of two bedrooms, which does not support him in feeling settled and having a sense of belonging.

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improvement to be good

Individual risk assessments are in place. They outline the risks and the strategies for managing challenging behaviours safely. However, the risk assessments are not always reviewed and amended in a timely way, which means that the staff may not understand the assessments, or be working in a consistent way to safeguard the children. Not all staff have signed to say that they have read the risk assessments. Additionally, not all children have commented and signed to say that they understand or agree with the risk assessments. This means that children may not understand the risks, and what has been put in place to reduce these.

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improvement to be good

The staff challenge any unwanted behaviours and reinforce boundaries. Any inappropriate behaviours are recorded, and children have a reflective conversation with the staff to support them in looking at how they can manage their behaviours in a more appropriate way. There have been 11 incidents of children leaving the home without authority. The staff actively look for the children and record the conversation they have with them when they return. The children have return-to-home interviews with their social workers or an independent person. There have been 31 sanctions since the last inspection. These are fair and proportionate; however, children do not always sign the records of these sanctions or comment to say they understand the reason for the sanction, to support them in looking at how they can manage their behaviours in a more appropriate way. The manager does not always evaluate the records to monitor the

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improvement to be good

effectiveness of the sanctions, or to look at patterns and trends.

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improvement to be good

The staff spoken to had a good understanding of safeguarding. The children know how to complain. There have been seven complaints since the last inspection. However, although children are informed of the outcome, there is no evidence that they comment or sign to say they are happy or agree with the outcome or any actions to be taken in response to the complaint. Inspection report children's home: SC455338 9 The staff perform regular health and safety checks. However, there is no evidence to show that any concerns have been actioned. For example, a fire bell was not working in one of the rooms; there was no evidence that an action raised as a result of this problem had been completed. There is a fire risk assessment in place, but this has not been dated to say when it was completed or if it is up to date.

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improvement to be good

An area risk assessment has been compiled, and was updated in June 2017. However, it is not robust. The risk assessment does not take into account all risks in the local area to ensure that the children are safeguarded effectively. For example, the main road at the end of the street, local parks and amenities need to be included, along with consultation and views from relevant people.

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improvement to be good

The staff understand the importance of transitions into the home and the impact this can have on the children living in the home, and inform the children of any new admissions. The staff also understand the importance of a child having a positive ending to their placement. A child who recently moved out has visited the home for tea several times. The staff, in agreement with the social workers, stay in touch with children when they move out, to support them for a short time. The staff understand the impact for children when they move from the home, and spoke passionately about the importance of supporting the children to settle in their new placement.

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improvement to be good

Recruitment is robust, and staff cannot begin to work in the home until all checks have been received and verified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager has been in post since February 2017, and has not yet begun to undertake the relevant level 5 qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Monthly visits are conducted by a new external visitor who provides detailed reports. However, the overall monitoring by the manager is not robust. The manager has completed a review of the service outlining the improvements to be made to support children to progress and for staff to develop their practice. However, there is little evidence that improvements have been implemented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Not all paperwork is signed and commented on by 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. Placement plans and risk assessments are not signed by the staff to ensure they understand children’s plans, and how to keep children safe. Not all of the health and safety concerns have been actioned by the manager. The records of sanctions and positive rewards are not always evaluated by the manager to look at trends and patterns, and assess the effectiveness of the measures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There has been one physical intervention since the last inspection. However, the manager has not signed or commented so is unable to evaluate the effectiveness of the hold. Overall, this does not provide good management and oversight of the home. Inspection report children's home: SC455338 10 There were six requirements from the last inspection, of which only one has been met. An improved induction process is now in place. New staff have three days of face-to-face induction days where they have safeguarding training, as well as the opportunity to read the home’s policies and procedures. However, some staff spoken to during the inspection report that they do not feel supported by the manager, that they feel there is a lack of direction and that they have to ask for supervision. This means that staff have not received the expected levels of supervision and guidance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The staff have completed all mandatory training. However, not all staff have completed a relevant level 3 qualification within the required timescale. Some staff commented that although they have been signed up, they have not yet had the opportunity to start working towards the qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There are regular staff and clinical meetings, which provide staff with consistency when working with the children. However, the clinical notes are not sent to the manager in a timely way, meaning that staff may not be working in line with the clinician’s recommendations.

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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 differences 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 whom 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: SC455338 11

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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: SC455338 12 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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