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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC455338 1 SC455338 Registered provider: Oracle Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home cares for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties. The children may attend the provider’s linked school provision that is located on a different site.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 3 April 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021. We last visited this setting on 21 September 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC455338 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/07/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 24/05/2016 Full Good 22/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC455338 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There were three children living at the home at the time of inspection. Since the assurance visit, five children have moved into the home and three children have moved on from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to engage with education. All children have education places. Two of the children attend education at a school run by the organisation. The staff are sensitive to children’s individual needs and are aware of other influences that have an impact on the children’s ability to learn. The manager is proactive and liaising with schools and social workers for two children who need extra support to help improve their engagement in learning. Children feel understood and supported to learn at a pace that is appropriate to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have meaningful relationships with staff. During the inspection, children were observed as happy and relaxed in their home. Staff are warm, nurturing and attentive with the children. They know the children well. One child said that the staff are kind. Children are invested in their relationships with staff and feel well cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The organisation’s therapists provide guidance to staff on how best to support the children. Two children are engaging directly with therapy sessions. One child is being supported well through a bereavement and is exploring different therapy options. This gives children a safe space to explore trauma and process difficult experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to spend time with their friends and families. When appropriate, children have overnight stays with their families. Staff help children to maintain relationships that are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children take part in a range of activities. One child is a member of a gymnastics club. The children enjoy a range of experiences including day trips to London and the seaside. One child said that she gets to do whatever activities she wants. Children benefit from expanding their interests and hobbies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to get involved with their local community. Children have entered a local garden and flower competition. Staff and children created a Santa’s grotto and raised money to support a local child with health needs. Children enjoy being part of the community and helping others.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff ensure that children are safe and feel safe at the home. The manager has ensured that staff have appropriate training and that they understand safeguarding procedures. The staff are confident and well equipped to manage safeguarding incidents. Inspection report for children’s home: SC455338 4 Staff take bullying incidents seriously and support the children involved. Staff take appropriate action to reduce the likeliness of recurrence. The manager arranged for a local police community support officer to discuss the impact of bullying with the children. Children feel safe to talk about bullying because the staff act and listen.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When children leave the home without agreement, the staff actively look for them. The staff work closely with the police and social workers. Any missing-from-home incidents are followed by a key-work session and a return home interview. These strategies help the children to understand the dangers posed to them when they go missing and have led to a reduction in the number of missing-from-home incidents.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s behaviour support plans are detailed and personalised. The plans include children’s input and give staff good guidance on how children want to be supported. The plans focus on recognising early warning signs of behaviours and the strategies for staff to help children to safely manage their emotions. Staff understand how to support children and what children need to manage their feelings.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager ensures that allegations made by children are investigated promptly and that children are kept safe. However, the manager has not notified Ofsted of all safeguarding concerns without delay, which has reduced Ofsted’s ability to monitor the home effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and has a relevant diploma in management. She has managed the home for two years. The manager understands the needs of the children and is a good role model for staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The manager and staff have managed a 10-day period of isolation, due to a child testing positive. The children, at times, could not access community-based activities due to government guidelines. The staff have been creative in providing children with activities at the home, and they have supported children to manage a period of isolation well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff said that they have regular and effective supervision and feel well supported by the manager. The staff feel comfortable to approach the manager. Staff benefit from good guidance and professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager received a complaint from a local neighbour. The manager dealt with the complaint efficiently and took appropriate action. The complaint was investigated by a manager independent of the home and appropriate action was taken. The manager has taken time to rebuild the relationship with the neighbours. She takes complaints seriously and understands the importance of having good relationships with the local community.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has developed professional relationships with social workers, who speak highly of the home. One social worker said that the care provided is exceptional. Inspection report for children’s home: SC455338 5 Having good relationships with social workers ensures effective partnership working.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff have good levels of training. Except for two staff, the team members all hold a relevant level 3 diploma. The two staff who have not yet achieved the qualification are working towards it within the agreed time frame. The staff understand the therapeutic model used at the home. The manager and staff benefit from regular consultations with a clinical therapist to discuss the children’s support needs and implement strategies to help children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective monitoring tools and understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home. The monitoring is used to review the home’s progress regularly. The manager had an audit of the home carried out by an independent social worker. Good oversight of the home ensures that continual improvements are made. Inspection report for children’s home: SC455338 6

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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

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

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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)(c)(e)) 14 January 2022

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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: SC455338 7

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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 and 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC455338 8 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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