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

Inspection report children’s home: SC378464 1 SC378464 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

The home, which is owned by a private company, is registered for three children who require care, education and clinical support.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home was registered with Ofsted in October 2019.

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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 sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are making good progress. The staff have built good, trusting relationships with the children. The staff undertake regular one-to-one sessions with the children, who are learning how to talk about their feelings. A child said, ‘I’m happy to be here. I had a few issues at the beginning but that has been sorted out by having key-work sessions and staff help.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two discharges and two admissions since the last inspection. Transitions both in and out of the home have been well managed. Before leaving the home, the children have enjoyed a celebratory meal. The staff supported those children during their move. Prior to admission, children are encouraged to visit to familiarise themselves with the home and meet the other children. This approach helps children to feel settled quickly. Inspection report children’s home: SC378464 2 The staff promote children’s education. All the children attend the provider’s off-site school. One of the children previously found it difficult to engage with education and is currently on a part-time programme. During this inspection, the child shared with the inspector how much he now wants an education, as he would like to become a mechanic. Plans are in place for him to start full-time education very soon. The high

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

level of support given enables the children to visualise a successful future.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager has been in post since June 2019. He has prior experience as a registered manager and holds a relevant level 5 diploma. The staff were complimentary about his leadership of the home. Professionals were impressed with the high level of communication.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met two of the requirements and two of the recommendations that were raised at the last inspection. There is a new system to ensure that the staff understand each child’s individual needs. All staff are now required to sign after reading the children’s care plans and updated risk assessments. Discussions are regularly held in team meetings to ensure that the staff have the knowledge required and understand their responsibilities to protect each child.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidents requiring staff to physically intervene since the last inspection. The good relationships mean that the children respond well to the staff’s guidance. Recently, when an incident occurred between two of the children, staff responded promptly and intervened with clear communication, resulting in de-escalation of the event. The manager undertook debriefs with the staff and evaluated the incident fully. Detailed oversight encourages reflection and continued good practice.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements have been made to the home’s environment, which has a welcoming and homely feel. The children’s bedrooms have all been redecorated and the children have been involved with choosing the colours. The manager has spent time ensuring that the front and back gardens are well maintained, which encourages the children to spend time outside.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments and behaviour support plans are detailed and comprehensive. These are now consistent with no contradictions. They guide the staff on approaches to take and actions to implement to keep the children safe.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement and one recommendation from the last inspection are repeated. There has been a slight increase in the amount of consultation with children, parents and professionals recorded in the independent visitor’s monthly reports. However, this has been inconsistent and this lack of regular consultation’ continues to reduce the effectiveness of the information provided to the manager as a monitoring tool.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recording systems continue to require attention. Important information is often difficult to find in a timely manner. This may result in staff being delayed from gaining prompt access to necessary details and therefore hinder good practice. Inspection report children’s home: SC378464 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/04/2019 Full Good 21/11/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/12/2017 Full Good 15/02/2017 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

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—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (‘the Level 3 Diploma’); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1 April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

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(4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b)) 28/02/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the 18/01/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC378464 4 registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44(1)(2)(a))

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording, and that information regarding the child is recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) In particular, ensure that children’s records are well maintained and clearly filed.

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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 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: SC378464 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

Lynne Drage: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC378464 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 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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