Children's Home run by Oxfordshire County Council in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244426 1

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Oxfordshire County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to six children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home provides short- term care and accommodation on a shared-care basis for a period of assessment.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in February 2017.

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Information about this children’s home

This monitoring visit took place in response to recent notifications identifying multiple errors with the administration of children’s medication and children being reported as missing from care for significant periods of time. The visit took place off site due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The home was last visited on 31 July 2019 when a full inspection was carried out.

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Information about this children’s home

The staff team is aware of, and implements in full, the requirements of the statutory guidance for children who are missing. Children who go missing from the home experience a clear and well-co-ordinated response that helps to reduce actual harm or risk of harm to them. Staff follow a clear plan of action and take appropriate steps to escalate concerns. The staff team look for children when they are missing and work effectively with authorities to return children promptly to the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has taken appropriate action to investigate some errors made when staff have administered children’s medication. Staff have been retrained in handling medicines and this has ensured that procedures for managing medication are now safe and effective.

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Information about this children’s home

The requirements and recommendation set at the last inspection have been met. This has resulted in the home improving the quality of staff employed and the quality of care received by the children. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244426 2 Staff have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities that help to inform and improve their practice. All staff follow a tailored induction programme and attend regular performance reviews.

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Information about this children’s home

Team meetings and individual staff supervision sessions are used to share positive learning from any research in practice. This has ensured that staff have the necessary skills to effectively manage incidents when children become distressed or unsettled, self-harm or go missing from the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The staff team is diverse in gender and ethnicity. One social worker said that the staff team are cohesive and excellent at managing the children. One child said he really enjoys living at the home and feels supported by his key worker.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has significantly improved the monitoring systems that determine the quality of care provided to the children. These systems now clearly identify any strengths and weaknesses in staff practice, the fabric of the building, and any gaps in partnership working. Shortfalls identified from monitoring are acted on and rectified quickly.

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Information about this children’s home

The staff team works collaboratively to ensure consistency and stability for the children. Staff have clear responsibilities and accountabilities for their role and each has a sense of shared ownership about their practice. The emotional impact of the work on staff is recognised and managed well by leaders and managers. Staff report that they feel supported and are well led and managed by the registered manager and leadership team.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 31/07/2019 Full Good 13/03/2019 Full Good 06/12/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 27/03/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244426 3

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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.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oxfordshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Oxfordshire County Council, County Hall, New Road, OXFORD, Oxfordshire OX1 1ND

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Inspector

Paul Thomas, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244426 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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

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