Children's home run by Oak House Children's Home Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2661987 1 Registered provider: Oak House Children’s Home Limited Full 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 12 children who have difficulties in managing their emotions and behaviour, may have learning disabilities and experienced trauma which has left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2022.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2661987 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first full inspection since the home registered in February 2022. At the time of this inspection, there were two children living at the home. The children have positive experiences and make progress from their individual starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children provided good feedback about staff and said that they enjoy spending time with them. The staff have established secure relationships with children through nurturing, open communication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children enjoy a diverse range of exciting activities and lead active and healthy lifestyles. Children engage in weekly personal training sessions at the in-house gym. Children have participated in a garden project cultivating a vegetable garden. Recent outings to theme parks, zoos and comic book conventions provide children with activities that meet their interests. The staff have worked effectively and sensitively to support a child to overcome social anxiety. This child’s increased engagement in the community has been described by their social worker as ‘excellent progress’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children engage with a home tutor and attend vocational learning at a local equine centre. One child has been offered an apprenticeship at the centre following their recent achievements. The staff are working with external professionals to support children’s reintroduction to formal education. Staff have maintained structured routines and have encouraged informal learning opportunities at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in a variety of specialist therapeutic support. Children access weekly art and music therapy alongside one-to-one sessions with a psychologist. Effective communication between therapists and staff enables the children to have ongoing support from staff between therapy sessions. This helps the children to reflect and work through their feelings constructively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well resourced and includes a games room, cinema room and music room. These rooms are equipped to a good standard and provide stimulating areas for children to explore their interests. The children live in personalised accommodation flats that are decorated in line with their preferences. The house provides a nurturing environment for individual and group living.

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

Staff have good working partnerships with other agencies such as the local authority, social workers and the police. The effectiveness of these relationships helps children to be safer.

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

Staff implement risk management plans successfully. They provide clear boundaries and use incentive programmes to reinforce positive behaviours. The staff use Inspection report for children’s home: 2661987 3 consequences proportionately. As a result, unwanted behaviour is reducing for children.

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

Children benefit from well-planned, one-to-one discussions with staff. Subjects include online safety, managing healthy relationships and developing coping strategies. These discussions improve children’s knowledge of their personal safety and help to increase their emotional resilience.

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

Staff have a good awareness of children’s individual missing-from-home profiles and procedures. There are effective supervision levels and security arrangements. As a result, there are no incidents of children going missing from the home.

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

Systems to monitor health and safety arrangements are generally sound. However, at the time of inspection, one fire door did not self-close and another two fire doors were being propped open. The manager made immediate plans to have the door repaired and remove the wedges. However, these pose a risk to children and staff in the event of a fire.

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

There are appropriate safeguarding procedures. However, in the absence of the manager, these procedures were not followed. This was in regard to an allegation against a staff member. A referral to the local authority designated officer was delayed until the independent person prompted the staff to refer the allegation. This reduces the necessary safeguards for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is qualified and suitably experienced. The management and staff team are child-focused and aspire for children to succeed through individualised good- quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff speak highly of the manager’s expertise and approachability. The staff meet regularly as a team and prioritise the needs of the children. Open discussions about staff practice support a professional culture in which challenge is accepted. Staff morale is high, and their commitment provides stability in children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team gives careful thought to the group of children that live together. Effective group risk assessments and well-planned moves take place. The manager has linked with local charities, which provide personalised welcome baskets for children. This helps children benefit from a warm introduction to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision sessions have been delayed for a proportion of staff, including the manager, during a crucial time. Some recorded supervisions do not demonstrate the depth of discussions or set measurable objectives for staff development. This is an area that requires improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager did not inform Ofsted of one safeguarding concern and other notifications have been delayed. This affects Ofsted’s ability to have an accurate view of how well children are safeguarded. Inspection report for children’s home: 2661987 4 Feedback from social workers is consistently positive about the care provided at the home. However, one parent has raised concerns. Although the manager has responded to some of these concerns, the complaints procedure has not been offered. This means that assurances cannot be provided that all concerns are investigated appropriately or resolved to a satisfactory outcome. Inspection report for children’s home: 2661987 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

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that when there are allegations made about the staff, these are referred to the local authority designated officer without delay. 9 December 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 9 December 2022

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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. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 9 December 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff actively monitor the arrangements in place to protect children. In particular, ensure that the systems for monitoring fire protection measures are effective. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff supervision is delivered in line with the home’s policy. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) Inspection report for children’s home: 2661987 6

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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: 2661987 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oak House Children’s Home Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: A B C Care Solutions, 249 Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG1 4TG

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Inspector

Mark Anderton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2661987 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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