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

Assurance visit report: SC356327 1 SC356327

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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 three children aged eight to 18 who may have complex social and emotional difficulties and may require attachment aware, trauma-informed care and support.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since October 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 7 January 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not judged

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC356327 2

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The care of children

There are currently two children living at the home. The manager has assessed new admissions carefully. He has allowed each child to settle properly before considering admitting another child. Consequently, the children live in a calm and settled environment.

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The care of children

The children seek staff out and enjoy spending time with them. This is because staff are successful at making positive connections with children and work hard to build supportive relationships with them. These relationships have enabled the staff to provide consistent boundaries and to establish routines in the home. Because of this, the children feel safe in the company of the staff.

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The care of children

The staff proactively arrange family visits. Both children live a considerable distance from their family homes. When family visits were stopped due to the initial COVID- 19 lockdown period, the staff found alternative means of children staying in contact with their families. This helped children to be better able to cope with not being able to see their loved ones.

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The care of children

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, staff have helped the children to understand and accept the lockdown rules. The staff work closely with children and their parents towards shared goals for children to return to live with their families. These goals have helped the children to remain focused and invested in their care.

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The care of children

The staff are creative and dynamic in pursing activities and pastimes during periods when venues are shut because of the lockdown restrictions. Board games, shopping, walking, cooking and trips out keep children busy and stimulated.

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The care of children

The staff worked with education providers to provide learning at the home during school closures. Some teachers visited the home and then provided virtual learning for the children, supported by the home’s staff. The children’s participation varied as they adapted to virtual learning. However, since the schools have reopened, both children have returned to school and are doing well.

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The safety of children

The staff have created a strong rapport with the children, gaining their trust and respect. This approach has enabled the staff to guide the children in minimising their risk-taking behaviours. The staff have helped the children to make better choices and change some established behaviour patterns.

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The safety of children

The staff are aware of the triggers that unsettle the children and work proactively to reduce these. The staff give children advice and guidance that better enable them to manage situations where they become angry or anxious.

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The safety of children

The staff give children lots of positive praise and attention. The staff ensure that any areas that cause children tension or anxiety are considered during morning Assurance visit report: SC356327 3 handovers. These handovers are attended and overseen by the manager. The manager works hard to ensure that the staff are fair, calm and consistent in their care of children. The staff embrace this approach and work consistently as a team and the children respect this.

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The safety of children

There are incidents when children leave the home without permission or the staff become concerned about children’s safety. These incidents are few and are managed safely and effectively. The staff contact the on-call manager and request support. Good crisis support has minimised police involvement and reduced the risks to children.

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The safety of children

The staff work closely with the police, using local knowledge and information to build a picture of local people or areas that could present a risk to children. This informs the staff about the potential risks to children.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has worked at the home for a year. He is an experienced and qualified social worker and has made significant improvements to the quality of care, the environment and the staff team.

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Leaders and managers

The manager’s internal monitoring systems have improved, and the manager has good oversight of the care provided to children. Despite this, children’s risk assessments and behaviour management plans do not always include recent events, which could dilute their effectiveness.

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Leaders and managers

The independent visitor has provided remote visits during the COVID-19 pandemic but has rarely been successful in seeking the view of parents or professionals. This misses an opportunity to include the views of professionals who have children they support living at the home.

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Leaders and managers

The staff team has established positive partnerships with parents, social workers and the police. Feedback is unanimously positive.

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Leaders and managers

The staff are energetic and dedicated to providing the best care that they can. They share a therapeutic ethos, working closely with the clinician to guide and inform their practice. The staff receive regular support and supervision that encourages self-reflection and thoughtful practice.

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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. Assurance visit report: SC356327 4

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the risk assessments include recent information. 30/11/2020

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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 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)) 30/12/2020

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oracle Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suites 1 & 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Elisabeth Brownlees

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC356327 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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