Children's Home run by White Orchid Care Limited in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for children's home: SC465588 1 SC465588 Registered provider: White Orchid Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home provides care for up to four children with complex difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a small private organisation which also has one other home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2017.

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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: 7 February 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC465588 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/02/2022 Full Outstanding 08/04/2019 Full Outstanding 16/07/2018 Full Outstanding 20/11/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC465588 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, no children have moved into or on from the home. The group of children living at the home benefits from stability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive high-quality, personalised and nurturing care. Staff know the children well. One child said, ‘Staff always go the extra mile to look after me.’ Children feel valued, loved and respected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All the children have education places. The manager works closely with children’s schools. Children who have previously struggled with attendance now have bespoke timetables. One teacher said, ‘The level of love, care and commitment that staff give to the children has helped the children to thrive.’ Children’s attendance has improved and they are making good progress with education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some children benefit from regular therapy sessions with the in-house therapist. These interventions help children to make sense of their past experiences in a safe space. The children also receive support from an occupational therapist. This therapy helps children to process their traumatic experiences and gives them strategies to cope with difficult feelings and emotions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two of the children have complex dietary needs. They are supported by health specialists. Staff help children to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. One child had personal training sessions to encourage them to exercise. Staff find creative ways to sensitively educate children about the importance of good health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to spend time with their families and friends. Parents speak highly of the manager and staff. One parent said, ‘My child is like a different boy. He is so laid back and happy.’ Another parent said, ‘Staff go above and beyond expectations to meet the needs of my child.’ Parents feel assured that their children are safe and happy. Children spend time with people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children have been on holiday with staff to the seaside, and one child has a holiday planned. Children benefit from a variety of activities, including theme park trips and day trips. One child enjoys being a singer in a band and is also part of a boxing club and a football club. Another child goes to Scouts. Children enjoy new and enriching experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff and manager help children to get involved in charity work. This has included the children designing lunch bags and filling them with food for the homeless. Children took part in a fun run and raised money for a local hospice. The children have a garden allotment and, along with staff, grow a range of vegetables and donate the produce. Children want to help others in the community and have developed compassion and empathy for people in need. Inspection report for children's home: SC465588 4 The home is cosy and welcoming and feels like a family home. The staff are extremely nurturing, and the children thrive in this environment. Children’s bedrooms are highly personalised to their own taste. The garden has a separate space for children with sensory needs. Children benefit from having a pet cat and they have adopted a donkey.

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

Children feel safe at the home. The manager has ensured that the staff have appropriate safeguarding training. Staff understand and implement the safeguarding procedures. They confidently manage safeguarding incidents.

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

One child has had three missing-from-home incidents. These have been for short periods. The staff manage the incidents well and welcome the child home. The child has engaged with independent return interviews. There are few missing-from-home incidents because children have good relationships with staff and feel safe at the home.

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

Individualised behaviour support plans provide staff with good guidance on proactive strategies and de-escalation techniques to help children manage difficult emotions. Staff understand how to best support children. The children are developing safe coping strategies.

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

Since the last inspection, there have been two allegations. The manager has taken effective action to safeguard the child. However, on both occasions, the manager started to investigate the allegations before the local authority designated officer reviewed the incident and gave advice. On one occasion, there was a delay in submitting the written safeguarding referral and a delay in notifying Ofsted. Not waiting for appropriate guidance could jeopardise an investigation. Lack of prompt notification can hinder Ofsted’s oversight of the home.

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

Overall, there has been a decrease in the frequency of physical interventions. There have been several low-level incidents of physical intervention since the last inspection. Staff are suitably trained. Interventions have been appropriate, proportionate and necessary. Children and staff are spoken with following incidents. However, on one occasion, not all relevant details of a physical intervention hold were recorded, and the staff debrief was not documented. Although the manager has identified patterns and trends, she has not included these in her evaluation of incidents. Learning opportunities could be lost and records are not always accurate or reflective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced. She holds a relevant level 5 qualification. She is a positive role model to staff and provides excellent care for children. Staff are enthusiastic and caring and provide therapeutic, child-centred care. Inspection report for children's home: SC465588 5 Staff benefit from regular and effective supervision. They receive good guidance from the manager. Staff said that the manager is approachable and that they really enjoy working at the home. Staff morale is high and staff are well motivated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Social workers said that the manager and staff are exceptional. They said that staff go above and beyond expectations to care for the children and that communication is excellent. One social worker said, ‘Every home should aspire to be like this one.’ Working cohesively with external professionals helps to ensure that children receive joined-up child-centred care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have good training. They hold a relevant level 3 diploma or are working towards the qualification within timescales. The manager and staff benefit from regular consultations with a therapist to discuss the children’s support needs and to implement strategies to help children. However, staff do not have diet and nutrition training. This does not equip them fully for their roles, given the children’s complex dietary needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has not ensured that an independent person has visited the home each month. There have been several months when an independent person’s visit has not taken place. The manager has now appointed an independent person. Inspection report for children's home: SC465588 6

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

advice is taken from the local authority designated officer before an investigation is started;

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Requirement Due date

that notifications to Ofsted are timely;

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Requirement Due date

any written safeguarding referrals are made promptly;

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Requirement Due date

all relevant information on physical interventions is recorded, including debriefs with staff, learning outcomes and the manager’s evaluations. 31 March 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. (Regulation 44 (1)) 31 March 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff access appropriate training, including in diet and nutrition. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) Inspection report for children's home: SC465588 7

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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: SC465588 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: White Orchid Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 77 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 1LF

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC465588 9 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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