Children's home run by Oldham Children’s Social Care in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC035492 1 SC035492 Registered provider: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority short-break children’s home offers care for up to four children. The statement of purpose states that the home provides short breaks and outreach services as a positive and flexible service for children.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is currently absent from the home. An experienced interim manager has been appointed to oversee the operation and management of the home.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC035492 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/01/2022 Full Good 27/08/2019 Full Inadequate 18/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/12/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC035492 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are provided with a full induction to the short-break service before having a planned overnight stay. Their stays are thoughtfully arranged to ensure that each short break is a positive and enjoyable experience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are cared for by a strong and stable staff team. They build positive and trusting relationships with the staff and enjoy their short break. A child said, ‘I love it here; sometimes I just don’t want to go home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Consultation with children and their families is highly regarded. Family workers and key workers work collaboratively to ensure that the views and opinions of children and their families are reflected in the care provided.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The team works hard to bring families and services together and frequently hold coffee mornings, support groups and fundraising events. This promotes a working partnership between families and the agencies providing guidance and support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health is suitably monitored, and medication is securely stored. However, some healthcare records omit information, such as the name of the child’s general practitioner and a summary of potential adverse reactions to any prescribed medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Each short break provides children with the opportunity to develop skills that are identified as a specific area of need, for example managing their personal hygiene, cooking meals and developing positive daily routines.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are provided with a range of activities and are supported to celebrate religious and cultural festivals from across the world. This enables the children to learn about different cultures and beliefs and provides a good opportunity for children to try out different foods.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two registered therapy dogs attend the service on a regular basis. The children clearly love the interaction with the dogs, and this is reflected in the many photos displayed around the home. A staff member said, ‘Some children have never had a pet and have never experienced the affection a pet can give. The children absolutely love it.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm and clean and provides ample space for children. The home has benefited from new living room furniture and the development of a children’s zone. This new space has proved ideal for key-work sessions, gaming and creative arts.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s bedrooms require further development. Although bedroom carpets have been cleaned, they have a stale and unpleasant smell and need replacing. Furthermore, bedroom windows do not have coverings, such as blinds or nets, to Inspection report for children’s home: SC035492 4 support children’s general privacy. The manager should consider methods of obscuring windows to reduce the need for children to have their curtains closed when they are in their bedroom.

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

Detailed assessments that carefully consider children’s individual risks are completed for all children attending the service. The assessments help the staff to successfully identify the support children need when attending their short break and consider known risk factors.

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

Individual risk assessments take account of children’s lived experiences and draw attention to potential triggers for behaviour that is difficult to manage and the strategies in place to manage them.

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

Children are provided with age-appropriate information. This includes a children’s guide, house rules and information on obtaining support, should they wish to speak to an adviser independently of the service.

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

The children are excited and happy to attend this short-break service. A child said, ‘I love coming here. I wish I had known about it before.’ Because children enjoy their time here, they do not engage in behaviours that may place them at risk. There have been no incidents of concern since the last inspection in January 2022.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

At the time of this inspection, the registered manager was absent from the home. To support the home’s ongoing development, an interim manager has been appointed and additional support is being provided by an experienced registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been no changes in the staff team since the last inspection. The staff remain enthusiastic and committed to their role. A member of staff said, ‘We all love what we do. We work together to get the best outcomes for the children and their families.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Good internal monitoring systems provide the home with a clear approach to the overall monitoring of care. Records highlight areas for development and reflect some of the matters identified by this inspection. External monitoring is consistently undertaken, and suitable action is taken to address any matters as identified in the external monitoring report.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monthly trend analysis meetings provide the management team with an opportunity to review the emerging patterns and trends evident in the home, for example identifying potential triggers for a child’s behaviour. This detail has proven to be highly valuable in further developing children’s planned stays and meeting their needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC035492 5 The home employs a committed and enthusiastic staff team, with the majority of staff suitably qualified at diploma level. The training of staff at this level ensures that they are suitably qualified in the care and management of children. Staff receive ongoing training, including mandatory training, and relevant online focused training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive good support from the interim manager and deputy manager. Formal supervisions take place regularly and informal support is available daily. A staff member said, ‘The manager is always available should we need advice or support.’ Furthermore, staff receive regular person-centred supervision. This focuses on supporting positive mental health and professional development. A staff member said, ‘This is great. We feel we can talk about the things that may affect our work in a safe and supportive place. We have a mental health first aider who we can speak to in confidence. It makes us feel that we matter.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC035492 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children have their own personal space, which is usually their bedrooms, and that their privacy is supported and protected. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.18)  The registered person should ensure that the children’s home offers a nurturing and supportive environment. In particular, floor coverings should be replaced where previous damage has occurred. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that the records for the management of children’s medication include a record of potential adverse reactions and the details of their general practitioner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.20)

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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: SC035492 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham OL1 1UT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicholas Whitbread

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Inspector

Maria McGranaghan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC035492 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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