Children's home run by Oak House Children's Home Limited in Redbridge

Inspection report children‟s home: SC467847 1 SC467847 Registered provider: Oak House Children‟s Homes Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, an interim manager resigned after applying to register with Ofsted. The manager of another home run by this provider moved to manage this home. Delays outside of their control have held up their registration with Ofsted.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

Although in post only a short time, the manager has had a positive effect on the home. A member of staff said, „She is very effective.‟ A newly appointed administrator is getting to grips with sorting out the home‟s record-keeping as well as ensuring that it reflects current guidance and regulations. He also oversees the reporting of any serious incidents to Ofsted to improve communication with the regulator.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

Five of the six requirements made at the last inspection are met and five of the six recommendations are also met. With children‟s input, staff have revised the children‟s guide to make this more child-friendly. However, this still does not contain all the information that children may need. Inspection report children‟s home: SC467847 2 There is considerable improvement to the premises. New decoration and furnishings in the entrance hall, conservatory and both lounges have really improved the look of the home. It is now comfortable, attractive and very homely, providing a relaxed, good-quality environment for children. Decoration of children‟s bedrooms also took place, taking into account children‟s views about paint colours. Staff arranged for repair of the trampoline so children can now safely use it. Management reviewed the use of barbed wire on roofs in the garden and decided to keep this in place to add to the security of the premises.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff were asked to help children understand appropriate relationships and how better to protect themselves from exploitative or harmful relationships and from going missing. The manager has arranged training to help staff in this area of their work.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

After one child left the home, incidents of children going missing considerably reduced, with none in the last month. However, there is no evidence of staff trying to secure independent return home interviews when there have been incidents of children going missing. This prevents opportunities to learn about why children go absent and to reduce the likelihood of it recurring.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

A revised statement of purpose is now available. The manager is further amending some information about the therapist to make sure that people have accurate information about the home‟s therapeutic approach.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has started to catch up on supervision so that staff receive the support they need. Appraisals have not yet begun. There are plans for further training to help staff support the home‟s theoretical model.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have not met a requirement to conduct reviews under regulation 45, with the last review in March 2017. Therefore, managers have missed opportunities to review and develop the service. The new manager is attempting to do so retrospectively.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, managers were asked to conduct risk assessments on the likely impact a child‟s admission may have on existing residents and staff. As there have been no new admissions during this period, at the next inspection any action taken by management on this issue will reviewed.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

During this inspection period, managers gave notice on two children‟s placements. Two children remain in the home and have experienced a fairly stable period, apart from the change of manager and two staff leaving. Staff report a calmer atmosphere in the home.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are working to support the children‟s transition to independent living in the near future. They are supporting children to extend their skills, such as in budgeting, shopping and preparing meals. Staff share useful information with local authorities on what support children are likely to need when they move on to adult services. This helps to promote a smooth transition.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

Independent persons visit the home monthly. The manager finds their visits useful in helping to define the home‟s strengths and weaknesses and helping her prioritise tasks. However, reports of their visits do not make explicit their opinion on children‟s safety and well-being as required by Inspection report children‟s home: SC467847 3 regulation.

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young people since the most recent full inspection

Two of the three children placed enjoyed the experience of a week‟s holiday in the summer. This gave them the opportunity to experience a stay in the country and to try new activities and learn new skills, such as riding a bike.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/12/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 02/06/2016 Full Good 25/11/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether: (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)(a)(b)) 31/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months. (2) In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— (a) the quality of care provided for children; (b) the feedback and opinions of children about the children‟s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and (c) any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. 31/03/2018 Inspection report children‟s home: SC467847 4 (3) After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”).

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Requirement Due date

(4) The registered person must— (a) supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and (b) make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home. (5) The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for. (Regulation 45(1)(2)(a-c))(3)(4)(a-b)(5))

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Recommendations

 Make sure that staff take account of information provided by independent return home interview interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child and evidence that these interviews have taken place in the home‟s records. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  Ensure that the children‟s guide helps children to understand: what the day-to- day routines of the home are („what happens in the home‟); the Statement of Purpose of the home (the care they can expect to receive while living there); how they can access advocacy support or independent advocacy if eligible; and how to contact the Office of the Children‟s Commissioner. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 24, paragraph 4.22)  Ensure that all staff have their performance and fitness to carry out their role

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Recommendations

formally appraised at least once annually. This appraisal should take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home‟s care. As part of the performance management process, poor performance is addressed by a timely plan to bring about improvement. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 61, paragraph 13.5)  Ensure that where there is a possibility that a child will run away or go missing from a children‟s home placement, their placement plan should include a strategy to minimise this risk. If the child is looked-after, their care plan (arranged by their placing authority) should include such a strategy. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 45, paragraph 9.24) Specifically, update going missing risk assessments to include current information

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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 Inspection report children‟s home: SC467847 5 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

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

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‟.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oak House Children‟s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: c/o ABC Care Solutions, 249 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 4TG

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Inspector

Jacqueline Graves, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC467847 6 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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