Children's home run by Oaktree Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1253975 1

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Oaktree Childcare Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. The home provides care and accommodation for up to two children or young people who need short-, medium- or long-term care.

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Information about this children’s home

The current manager was registered with Ofsted on 23 June 2017 and holds the relevant qualification.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place due to a complaint. Issues raised by the complainant included poor home conditions, lack of food, lack of money for clothing, too many young people, staff coming and going and staff not knowing how to care for young people who are angry.

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This monitoring visit

Conditions in the home are adequate. There is some damage caused by one young person which needs repair. The manager has not been able to have people in to repair the damage because of the restrictions relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The damage is not significant, it is primarily aesthetic. There are plans for reparation and replacement as soon as possible. One young person’s bedroom was viewed and found to be of a good standard.

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This monitoring visit

Food is readily available in the home. The fridge and freezer are very well stocked. Young people have access to snacks, such as fruit, yoghurts, cereal and toast. For health reasons, snacks, such as crisps, biscuits, sweets and chocolate are not readily available, but are limited to a reasonable amount each day. Advice was taken from the looked after children’s nurse by the manager about providing healthy snacks for young people. This advice is being followed.

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This monitoring visit

Young people receive money per month to spend on clothing and can increase their spending money by achieving their targets. Each young person is allocated money Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1253975 2 for activities. The weekly food budget is more than enough to meet young people’s needs. Young people spoken to were wearing expensive branded sportswear, which is in line with current fashion and their peers’ clothing.

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This monitoring visit

In relation to staff turnover, some staff have left the home as a result of one young person’s support needs being reduced. Except for one member of staff, all have been working at the home for more than 18 months. This means that young people have continuity of care and the opportunity to develop strong, positive relationships with staff.

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This monitoring visit

There have been three young people admitted and discharged since the home was last inspected in July 2019. One was a planned discharge and two were placement breakdowns. The young people currently living in the home have impending planned moves out of the home. Although this is a relatively high turnover, the home is operating in line with its statement of purpose in offering short-, medium- and long- term placements.

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This monitoring visit

Young people are helped to express their views, wishes and feelings in several ways. They have key-work sessions, key-work conversations, weekly views, wishes and feelings meetings and input into their activity and meal planners. They are also able to speak to the independent visitor each month. Key-work sessions are of a good standard and are relevant to the issues pertinent to the young person at that time. When young people have made a complaint to the company director, there is evidence of detailed and considered responses. There is ample evidence showing that young people are encouraged to voice their opinions and are listened to.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are trained to respond to young people who show angry behaviour. Behaviour management plans include information from the young people about what helps them when they get angry. Following incidents of angry behaviour, key-work conversations are held with young people to help them reflect on their behaviour. Sometimes young people engage in restorative work when they have caused damage.

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This monitoring visit

Three recommendations made at the home’s last inspection were not reviewed at this monitoring visit and are carried over to the home’s next inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/07/2019 Full Outstanding 17/07/2018 Full Good 03/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1253975 3

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

In particular, that internal structures and cosmetic furnishings are replaced, in a timely way, if required.

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Recommendations

 Children’s home staff should take reasonable precautions and make informed professional judgements based on the individual child’s needs and developmental-stage about when to allow a child to take a particular risk or follow a particular course of action. Staff should discuss the decision with the child’s placing authority where appropriate. If a child makes a choice that would place them or another person at significant risk of harm, staff should assist them to understand the risks and manage their risk-taking behaviour to keep themselves and others safe. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’ page 42, paragraph 9.7)

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Recommendations

In particular, that any assessments and plans are current and consider children’s progress.

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Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1253975 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ground Floor, Seneca House, Links Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool FY4 2FF

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Inspector

Charlie Bamber, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1253975 5 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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