Children's home run by Oldham Children’s Social Care in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC035492 1 SC035492

p.1

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home offers respite care and accommodation for up to four children who may experience emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is managed by a registered manager who is supported by an experienced staff team.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The home was judged as inadequate at the last full inspection on 27 and 28 August 2019. Due to a number of significant concerns, the local authority was issued with three compliance notices in respect of regulation 12, the help and protection standard; regulation 13, the leadership and management standard; and regulation 14, the care planning standard.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Monitoring visits were undertaken on 23 September and 22 October. At these visits, the provider could not demonstrate that sufficient action had been taken to meet the compliance notices. Therefore, the compliance notices were re-issued. A further visit on 19 November 2019 provided the opportunity for the provider to show the significant improvements they had made at the service, and the provider was able to demonstrate that the notices have been met.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to monitor the actions that the provider has taken to continually improve practice at the home. This monitoring visit was an off- site visit due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions. The provider shared relevant documents with Ofsted, and a discussion took place with the registered manager.

p.1

This monitoring visit

There is a newly appointed registered manager in place, who demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibilities. She is knowledgeable about the complex care needs of the children in placement and is committed to helping to maximise their potential. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC035492 2 The registered manager has taken suitable action to address the shortfalls identified at the last full inspection. This includes making sure that local authority care plans are in place; fire drills and risk assessments are regularly undertaken and updated; and medication is suitably recorded, stored and disposed of. In addition, staff have received in-house training on a number of matters including care planning, the management of medication, fire risk management and safeguarding.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Care plans for children in placement have been improved. Staff work with the children to review their progress on a regular basis, and they work together to review, update and develop children’s individual plans. This helps children to understand their progress and goals.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Risk plans for all children have been revised and now accurately identify their individual and changing risks. Furthermore, risk assessments provide staff with practical strategies to help them to keep children safe. Staff have all attended refresher training to ensure that they understand and minimise all risk factors. This ensures that risks to children are managed consistently and demonstrates that appropriate support is in place to promote the safety of children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Regulation 44 external monitoring reports are now provided to the regulatory body on a consistent basis. During the Covid 19 restrictions, visits have been conducted remotely. The independent visitor has verbally communicated with the registered manager, staff, children and parents to gather the views of others.

p.2

This monitoring visit

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the registered manager has been required to work from home. However, she has maintained daily contact with the home’s staff and children and continues to work on developing the practice in the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A full review of the home’s developments and the impact they have on the home’s practice will be reviewed once inspections are reinstated.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/08/2019 Full Inadequate 18/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/12/2018 Full Good 17/11/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC035492 3

p.2

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UT

p.3

Inspector

Maria McGranaghan, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC035492 4 to 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.

p.3

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.4

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.4