Children's Home run by White Orchid Care Limited in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC465588 1 SC465588

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White Orchid Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children. According to the home’s statement of purpose, the home aims to provide a safe and nurturing home for children in which they can receive specialist care and therapy, allowing them the opportunity to reach their potential and thrive.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a small, private organisation which has one other home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2017.

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This monitoring visit

In accordance with Ofsted guidance on COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, this inspection was undertaken remotely. The inspector held telephone and video discussions with the manager. Staff, social workers, parents and external professionals provided their views via telephone calls. Children also had video meetings with the inspector to share their experiences of living at this home. One inspector had a virtual tour of the home. Relevant documents were emailed to the inspector and these were also considered.

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This monitoring visit

Children progress well at this home because they are cared for by competent staff who build positive and warm relationships with them. One parent said she could see a massive change in her daughter since she came to live here. She reported that her child respects the staff and can keep to the boundaries that the staff set, which previously she struggled to do.

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This monitoring visit

Children confidently to talk to staff about what is happening in their lives. The staff listen to children and act on their views. One child said that the staff know her well and that she can tell the staff if she is not happy with something. She said that they generally take action to address her concerns. The staff frequently include the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC465588 2 children in decisions about their home, such as the décor and meal plans. One child took the inspector on a virtual tour of the premises and was clearly proud of artwork being displayed around the home. These actions help children to develop a sense of attachment and belonging to their home.

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This monitoring visit

The staff support for children’s families is very effective. The parents consider that the staff communicate effectively with them and they appreciate that staff involve them in their children’s lives. One parent said that the staff’s support has improved her relationship with her child in a way that no other service has been able to do. Another parent said that the staff challenge and advocate for both her child’s and her needs well. Their advocacy has had a positive effect on her relationship with her child.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers provide effective support to a stable staff team so that they know how to look after the children, especially in relation to their therapeutic needs. Children’s records are generally well written. For example, care plans state what progress a child is making and what actions staff need to take in order to help a child to progress further.

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This monitoring visit

The staff use approaches effectively, such as play and humour, to respond to children’s needs. One member of staff described well the ‘Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy’ model of therapeutic practice. Nonetheless, the staff showed no knowledge of what the therapeutic model of practice is called. This is a missed opportunity to support the staff to fully understand the different underpinning models of care that they are following to care for children.

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This monitoring visit

Physical interventions are used infrequently. Children understand why these occur and the records of such incidents are reviewed appropriately. However, the description of the types of physical interventions used is not clearly recorded.

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This monitoring visit

COVID-19 precautions taken by the staff have followed guidance issued by the government. Parents said that while they think children are generally cared for well, during the pandemic, the care has been even better. They said the staff have paid more attention to their children and do everything to support them to have fun throughout this difficult time.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have met the recommendation which was set at the last inspection. They now make good use of the monthly independent visitors’ reports to improve the service. The requirement for managers to ensure that there is good detail of any staff debriefs after incidents occur is also met.

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This monitoring visit

The managers and staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding and refer concerns appropriately to the relevant safeguarding bodies. However, notifications to Ofsted about serious concerns are not being made appropriately. Two incidents reviewed should have been notified to Ofsted, however the home failed to report them. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC465588 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/04/2019 Full Outstanding 16/07/2018 Full Outstanding 20/11/2017 Full Outstanding 18/01/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC465588 4

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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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 31 March 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the staff write clear detail of which holds they use when restraining children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should increase the staff’s knowledge of which therapeutic models of care underpin their practice. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.12) Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC465588 5

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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: White Orchid Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 77 Marlowes, Hemel Hemstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1LF

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Inspectors

Ruth Coler, Social Care Inspector Alphie Khumalo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC465588 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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