Children's home run by Oakley House Children’s Home Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2610935 1 Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to two children aged between 12 and 18 years who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since the home registered in January 2021.

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Inspection date: 15 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2610935 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, five requirements and seven recommendations were raised. The manager has addressed all the requirements and five of the recommendations. Two of the recommendations have been reset and one further requirement has been set at this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff provide stability for children. Since the last inspection, there have been no changes in staffing. Staff follow a detailed induction process. The manager signs staff as competent to undertake their roles and responsibilities when the probation period ends.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has provided additional training for staff. Staff have attended report and recording training. The manager uses the home’s monitoring system to analyse records completed by staff. She is developing the system to make it more relevant to the plans and assessments that staff need to complete. Consequently, the children’s individual records have improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have attended medication training. The manager signs staff off as competent to administer medication based on competency assessments. Children are helped to take medication by staff who have the correct skills and experience to do so.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has reviewed the fire risk assessments. Staff are clear about their duties with regards to health and safety. The children and staff experience fire drills in line with the home’s fire policy and procedures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff feel supported by the manager, who provides them with regular supervision. However, the system used to record supervision does not allow the manager to print the notes off or allow the staff member to sign the supervision notes. This means that staff do not have copies of agreed notes and actions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two complaints since the last inspection. The manager responded to these promptly. Both complaints were managed effectively and resolved within a reasonable timescale.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager works with other agencies to meet children’s needs. This is particularly evident with children’s education. One child is attending construction college part time. One child is attending an alternative education provision part time. When the children are not attending formal education, the staff source other learning experiences. One child has a pathway to independence plan, and is learning to budget. One child has attended a part-time media course at college. The child made Inspection report for children’s home: 2610935 3 and starred in a film about bullying and mental health. Staff have helped one child to create his curriculum vitae and are helping him to look for a volunteering job. Staff help children to learn through activities that the children enjoy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff build and maintain good relationships with the children. Staff meet with children regularly to talk about any concerns they have. Topics include relationships, feelings, health and well-being. One child did not want to take medication for his mental health. Staff spent time with him and listened to his concerns. They organised for the child to talk to a mental health professional. As a result, he is now taking medication and his mental health is improving. One child said, ‘I have lived in a lot of children’s homes before, but this one is the best because the staff spend time with me; which I like.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are involved in organising activities. Staff give children choices for free time and listen to the children’s wishes. However, children are not told that they have the right to access records written about them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are settled at the home. There have been no missing from care or bullying incidents. The manager notifies Ofsted promptly when significant incidents occur.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has made improvements to the environment. Private areas in the home have blinds. The garden slabs have been fixed. However, concrete and rubble have been left in bags in the garden. There is an old washing line on the patio. The garden furniture is worn and damaged. A fence panel is broken, allowing the neighbours to view the garden. This means that the garden is not an appealing area for children to spend time in. Inspection report for children’s home: 2610935 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2610935 5

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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 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;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the garden is cleared of rubble and broken concrete and that garden furniture is fit for purpose. 15 April 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that supervisor and staff member sign and have a copy of the supervision record. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.4)  The registered person should ensure that staff regularly remind children of their rights to see information kept about them and provide information about how they can access their records in later life. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.6)

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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.

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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 Inspection report for children’s home: 2610935 6 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: 2610935 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit D, 17 Plumbers Row, London E1 1EQ

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Inspector

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2610935 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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