Children's Home run by Barnardo’s in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for children's home: SC069128 1 SC069128 Registered provider: Barnardo’s Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides a residential short-break service for up to seven children with disabilities. The home is run by a national charity in partnership with a local authority. Most of the children using the service have complex health needs.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no manager in post since 1 August 2022.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 8 November 2021

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC069128 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/11/2021 Full Good 19/11/2019 Full Good 14/03/2019 Full Good 28/06/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC069128 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individualised care and have positive experiences during their short breaks.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers, staff and nurses all work closely together to ensure that children receive wraparound care that reflects their individual needs. One family member said, ‘Staff here are loving and so caring. They have been a lifeline to us.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff promote children’s education and stay in touch with children’s schools to share relevant information.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children have opportunities to enjoy different experiences, establish friendships and develop confidence, independence and social and emotional skills. Children take part in a variety of fun and inspiring activities during their stays. These include playing in the garden, participating in baking and relaxing in the sensory room. Children have been helped to learn how to use different types of cutlery at mealtimes. A social worker said, ‘It’s amazing to see children change and develop through visiting this service.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are knowledgeable about children’s different communication needs and no child is assumed to be unable to communicate their views. Staff are skilled in using different types of communication techniques, including aids such as PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System).

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most areas of the property are homely and welcoming. However, there are a few areas that require redecoration, and not enough consideration has been given to children’s privacy and dignity. For example, some children’s bedroom windows do not have coverings, to provide children with privacy. Untidily fitted external canvas curtains, together with unmatching internal curtains, are used to black out and cover some bedroom windows.

p.3

improvement to be good

Managers and staff work closely with parents and professionals to identify children’s risks. Newly identified risks are discussed in staff meetings, professional meetings and through discussions with parents. However, on one occasion, a review of a child’s risk assessment was not shared with professionals or the child’s parents. As a result, staff used a measure which was not approved by the child’s network.

p.3

improvement to be good

Managers ensure that there are appropriate procedures in place in the event of a child going missing from the home. Inspection report for children's home: SC069128 4 Staff manage children’s behaviours well. They use strategies suited to children’s care needs and level of understanding. These help children to stay calm. As a result, physical interventions are not used, and consistent boundaries lead to a feeling of well-being and security for children.

p.3

improvement to be good

Nurses ensure that all staff and student nurses receive training and undergo an assessment process before dispensing and administering medication. However, staff do not consistently adhere to medication administration processes as per the company’s medication policy. There are no clear processes indicating the number of staff who should witness, dispense and administer controlled medication.

p.4

improvement to be good

On occasions, safer recruitment processes are not fully adhered to. For example, some identity documents have not been signed off to confirm that original copies have been seen. The online process is not easily accessible to team managers to ensure that required checks are completed effectively.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff routinely complete health and safety checks. They ensure that children visiting are involved in fire drills in line with children’s individualised evacuation plans. However, the fire risk assessment recommendations have not been fully addressed.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Two team managers are currently undertaking all management duties with support from the outgoing registered manager and the assistant director.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have clear processes in place to assess the progress made by children. They have clearly documented children’s profiles which show children’s care needs, how they are met and how they influence progress. These capture the children’s voice and are shared with families and social workers. As a result, children’s progress is consistently reviewed to ensure that positive outcomes are maintained.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are ongoing shortfalls in staff receiving regular supervision and appraisal. The absence of a registered manager has resulted in limited opportunities for staff to have professional one-to-one time. Even though staff informed the inspector that they are well supported and can consult the team managers when needed, this is a missed opportunity to formally meet with staff, discuss role-related themes and review professional development.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers ensure that the experience and qualifications of staff align with the needs of the children. Ongoing training and monthly staff meetings are carried out by managers and nurses in line with children’s current needs.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers share a positive and professional working relationship with other professionals. For example, when requested placements do not match those of children currently visiting the home and are not in line with the conditions of registration, the leaders and managers challenge effectively. As a result, concerns are immediately addressed and this reduces any possible impact on children’s care. Inspection report for children's home: SC069128 5 Managers ensure, as far as possible, that the short-break service helps children develop their individual identity in relation to their gender, disability, religious, racial, cultural or linguistic background. A variety of cultural events, such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter, are celebrated. Special consideration is given to rearranging stays or providing alternative activities for children who do not celebrate certain events due to beliefs and culture. Inspection report for children's home: SC069128 6

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.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.6

Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

p.6

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This refers specifically to ensuring staff receive regular supervision, within timescales referred to in the service’s statement of purpose.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 November

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii) 30 November Inspection report for children's home: SC069128 7 The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensuring that the registered manager has oversight of children’s risk assessment records. The manager must also ensure all actions and recommendations from external contractors, such as fire and water agencies, are appropriately dealt with and managed effectively. 30 November

p.7

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that good employment practice is maintained, as set out in regulations 31 to 33. They must ensure that copies of identity documents provided by new staff have confirmation and a signature stating that the originals have been seen. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that the children’s home is a homely and domestic environment. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations; 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)  The registered person should ensure that medicines are administered and recorded in line with a medically approved protocol. (‘Guide to the Children’s

p.7

Recommendations

Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15) Inspection report for children's home: SC069128 8

p.7

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: SC069128 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Barnardo’s, 1 Lumley Court, Drum Industrial Estate, Chester-le-Street, County Durham DH2 1AN

p.9

Inspector

Alphie Khumalo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC069128 10 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.9

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.10

Inspector

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

p.10

Inspector

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

p.10