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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC469686 1 SC469686 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 is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to three children. Children may experience complex social and emotional difficulties and require attachment-aware, trauma-informed care and support.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 27 May 2021. She has an appropriate qualification and is suitably experienced.

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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: SC469686 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/03/2022 Full Good 03/09/2019 Full Good 21/01/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 25/07/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC469686 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, there were two children living in the home. Children sustain their place at the home because staff provide a nurturing environment where relationships flourish.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships are based on trust that has developed over time. A staff member told the inspector how much one child has established trusting relationships with the staff. The staff member said, ‘[Name of child] has developed trust with us; this is massive progress.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to access their records and have their say. During the inspection, a child began to look through his records. Where he was unhappy with what was written about him, he was encouraged to make changes to reflect a more descriptive account of who he is. This helps children to understand their journey and contribute to their care plan.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are fit and well. Staff encourage children to attend routine health appointments and take part in therapeutic intervention. Although this has been difficult for some children, staff are child focused and instrumental in helping them to maintain good health. As a result, children take responsibility for maintaining good health outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences living in the home. Staff offer a broad range of activities for children that enhance their social and emotional needs. Children are encouraged to enjoy their hobbies, which include horse riding, dance and caring for their pets. One child also carries out volunteer work. A school tutor said, ‘[Name of child] enjoys volunteering and everyone loves him.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have gone above and beyond to help children access education and improve their educational outcomes. A child’s tutor said, ‘We have a brilliant relationship. There are no attendance issues. When I arrive on site he is always up and ready.’ As a result, children continue to improve their educational outcomes and aspirations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children keep in touch with family and friends who are important to them. Staff support arrangements where necessary. As a result, children continue to strengthen bonds and build relationships.

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

Children are safe and protected from harm. When incidents happen, staff take appropriate action to ensure that children are protected from harm. Effective behaviour management strategies reduce the need to use physical intervention. As a result, children learn to manage their emotions and channel their aggression positively. Inspection report for children’s home: SC469686 4 Arrangements are in place to safely receive, administer, store and dispose of medication. There has been one medication error since the last inspection. This was an isolated incident. The child did not suffer any adverse reaction. The manager took swift action to investigate and learn from the mistake. As a result, staff are more confident in managing the administration of medication.

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

Allegations against staff are taken seriously. The manager ensures that referrals are made to the appropriate agencies. Children are notified of the outcome in writing. This helps to keep children informed and safe.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff do all they can to ensure that the children are returned home safely. Staff know children’s vulnerabilities and follow the missing-from-home protocol. As a result, children are returned home safely, and episodes of missing from care are significantly reducing.

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

Managers ensure that staff are safely recruited. This means that staff working with the children have been suitably checked to ensure that they do not pose any risks to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by an experienced registered manager. She holds a suitable qualification in the management and care of children and young people. She is enthusiastic, dedicated and motivated. She is ambitious to implement change and is child focused.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Effective monitoring by the leaders and managers ensures that the home continues to provide good-quality care. The leaders and managers continually review and share outcomes that help to make child-centred decisions. For example, a child experiencing difficulties has the potential to affect the stability of his placement. The leaders and managers make child-centred decisions that mean new admissions are put on hold. This helps to focus on the needs of the child without affecting his placement. The responsible individual said, ‘Directors are happy to work with us and understand that taking another child is not the right action to take.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has met the two requirements raised at the last inspection. The on-call system has been reviewed and ensures that staffing in the home is sufficient. The responsible individual also checks the home so that he can see where shortfalls and staff’s needs are. This ensures that the home is always sufficiently staffed to meet the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Relationships with external agencies are good. Information-sharing is a strength. For example, therapeutic practice has been shared between home and the child’s tutor. This integrated approach means that the child receives continuity of care to aid his needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC469686 5 Permanent staff receive regular supervision and have their practice apprised annually. However, casual staff working from external agencies are not supervised. This means that staff do not receive feedback about their performance and practice. This may hinder any additional support or training they may need. Inspection report for children’s home: SC469686 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the manager keeps a record of supervision for staff, including non-permanent staff. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b). (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3)

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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: SC469686 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

Michelle Spruce, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC469686 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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