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

Inspection report children’s home: SC066917 1 SC066917 Registered provider: Oracle Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children and young people aged eight to 18. Children and young people may have complex social, emotional and behavioural needs and require attachment-aware, trauma-informed care and support.

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Information about this children’s home

The current manager successfully registered with Ofsted in May 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the registered manager has failed to take sufficient action to promote children’s safety and protect them from harm. Managers and staff did not address requirements raised by the Fire and Rescue service in October 2018 in a timely manner. Managers rectified this shortfall during this inspection. However, this was in response to the inspection and not the result of prioritising children’s safety. This shortfall contributes to the judgement of declined in effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s educational attendance remains high. However, partnership working between Inspection report children’s home: SC066917 2 staff, the organisation’s education provision and children’s placing authorities is poor. Consequently, for one child there has been little progress to ensure that statutory education plans are now in place. This means that children may not receive the bespoke support, assistance and encouragement that they need to reach their full potential.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff have worked hard to improve internal care planning processes. There is now a clear correlation between statutory care plans and internal support plans. These mirror the aims and objectives of the placing authorities, such as helping children to build suitable relationships. Children participate in regular one-to-one sessions. Staff use these to help children to reflect on their behaviours, recognise their progress and plan for their futures. Children grow in self-esteem and confidence because of this approach.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children benefit from detailed risk assessments that highlight their risky behaviours and vulnerabilities. These incorporate the feedback, views and evaluation of the clinical team and allocated therapists. Managers regularly review these documents. They ensure that these include step-by-step actions for staff to follow to manage and reduce known risks. This collaborative approach enables children to make progress, and to learn to manage their own risks.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments now include an evaluation of the use of bedroom door alarms. Currently, this restrictive measure is no longer necessary to safeguard children and is not in use in the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager now makes sure that all staff working in the home are subject to a comprehensive range of suitability checks. These are verified by managers. This improvement means that staff working with children are deemed suitable and safe to do so.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to receive regular and good-quality formal supervision. These sessions are practice-related. Managers use these to encourage staff to reflect on their performance and identify their own learning needs. Regular staff meetings and consultation sessions with the organisation’s clinical team help to equip staff with the skills necessary to support children and enhance their progress.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/07/2018 Full Good 08/02/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 26/10/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/02/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC066917 3

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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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement. (Regulation 8(1)(2)(a)(vi)) 31/03/2019

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25(2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This is with particular reference to taking timely action to comply with the requirement of this order. 31/03/2019

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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

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and Inspection report children’s home: SC066917 4 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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC066917 5

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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

Jo Stephenson, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC066917 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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