Children's home run by Oaktree Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2550082 1 Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children.

p.1

Inspection date: 18 November 2021

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 18 November 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report for children's home: 2550082 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection in June 2021, one child has been discharged from the home and there has been one planned admission. The home is operating as a solo placement for one child.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff work hard to build trusting and secure relationships with the child. Over time, this has resulted in the child having improved confidence that has helped him to engage fully in the placement. For example, he has opened up to the staff about his thoughts and feelings and has indicated that he is ready to undertake therapy sessions with the company psychologist.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children admitted to this home have a history of educational disruption and non-attendance. Considering this child’s starting point, his individual educational needs are well met. For example, staff work with a range of external providers to ensure the child can achieve educationally using a mixture of academic and vocational learning. This means he has a range of innovative opportunities to help him in his educational journey. As a result, he has grown in self-esteem and confidence and is developing personal goals and aspirations for his future.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk management is improved. Individual risk management plans clearly identify known risks and provide suitable strategies to guide the staff in the safe management and reduction of these risks.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, episodes of children being missing or absent from the home have significantly decreased. This is because the individualised missing-from- home plan provides the staff with clear instructions and strategies to minimise this risk. When an incident has occurred, staff are swift in their response. This means that the child is returned to the home quickly and risks are minimised.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff work hard to form positive relationships with family members. This has enabled the child to be supported to re-establish family connections and begin the process of rebuilding relationships. The child now enjoys regular overnight contact with family members.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The child is helped to recognise the impact of his negative or challenging behaviours. Overall, sanctions are restorative and are reinforced by regular key-work sessions. This enables the child to begin to understand the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others while also being supported by the staff to put things right. Inspection report for children's home: 2550082 3 The interim manager has made good progress in addressing the requirements from the last full inspection. The children’s guide has been developed in age-appropriate formats to enable children of different ages to understand how the home is run. In addition, the policy and procedure for responding to complaints have been further developed. The new procedures now ensure that all complaints are suitably recorded, investigated and responded to, in accordance with the home’s policy.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been one planned admission to the home. Senior managers have demonstrated that the procedure for assessing the suitability of referrals is matched against the home’s statement of purpose and the skills and experience of the team. Furthermore, the staff have received additional training and guidance regarding the monitoring and management of non-prescribed medication. This ensures that children’s health is monitored closely and medical advice is sought if the child’s symptoms do not improve.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interior of the children’s home requires further development. There is a lack of personalisation such as pictures and soft furnishings. The main sofa is damaged and needs to be replaced and there are some small areas of graffiti on the walls that have not been removed. The failure to address these matters means that the home currently does not present as a warm, nurturing and caring environment for children. A requirement is made to address this matter.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The exterior of the home is somewhat unkempt due to broken items being left in the garden awaiting removal and plants being overgrown. Consequently, the home does not look inviting or suitably cared for. A recommendation is made to address this matter. Inspection report for children's home: 2550082 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2550082 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation (6) (1)(c)(i)) 17 December

p.5

Recommendation

 Ensure the registered person provides a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children, they will in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with the relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food, hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.5

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children's home: 2550082 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Ltd

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspector

Maria McGranaghan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2550082 7 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.6

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 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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7