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 with social and emotional difficulties and who 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: 31 October 2022

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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: 2661987 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/10/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2661987 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This inspection was brought forward to address specific allegations received by Ofsted. The inspector reviewed these concerns as part of the inspection. Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home and one child has moved on from the home. At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is large and spacious. Children benefit from self-contained flats, which are clean, personalised and well decorated. There is a cinema room, art room and a music room with various instruments for children to enjoy. The children benefit from a large garden and have a garden project that includes growing fresh vegetables. The staff and children eat the fresh produce from the garden. The home has been made to feel welcoming and homely with a high standard of decor and photos of the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have positive relationships with the children and know them well. Staff provide attentive, nurturing care and have fun with the children. One child said: ‘We are like one big family and have so much fun together.’ Staff are invested in helping children to progress. Children are valued and thrive at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All the children have education places and are making good progress with their education. One child, who had not been to school for two years before moving to this home, has now started attending school. Staff understand the challenges that children face when they have had long periods out of education. Staff support children to prepare to return to education and support children with complex needs to access specialist provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from regular therapy sessions with a clinical psychologist. This helps children to make sense of their past experiences. The 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 children have been on a holiday with staff and one child has a holiday planned to a theme park abroad. The children benefit from a wide range of activities, including visits to theme parks, going on day trips and doing arts and crafts. All the children have regular one-to-one sessions with a personal trainer and have access to a gym at the home. One child has been learning to play the drums. The child put on a performance at a party at the home with their music teacher. The children enjoy new and enriching experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s diversity and cultural needs. One child said: ‘The staff are all amazing. There is not one child who would not fit in at the home because staff accept everybody for who they are, without question.’ One child has been to Pride festivals. The home has a multi-faith room for children and staff to explore religion and have a peaceful area to pray. Inspection report for children's home: 2661987 4 The staff and children have strong links to the local community. One child has visited older people at a local residential care home and brought homemade cakes. Staff and children have taken part in charity walks and challenges and have raised money for charities. The manager has funded a heart defibrillator outside of the home for the local community. The children enjoy being able to give back to the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has been moved on from the home for safety reasons. The move was managed sensitively. Staff supported the child to move on and to settle at their new home. The child experienced a positive ending. The child’s parent expressed a heartfelt thanks for how the move from the home was managed and the care that staff provided.

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

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the last inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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

Staff understand the risks to children and have appropriate training in safeguarding disabled children. The local authority designated officer and a social worker have been impressed with the response to safeguarding concerns.

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

There have been some missing-from-home incidents since the last inspection. Staff manage these well. On one occasion, the staff worked with the police and alerted the coast guard when they were concerned for a child’s safety. Staff are proactive and look for children when they are missing from home.

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

Behaviour support plans are well detailed and give staff clear guidance. The home’s psychotherapist has input on to how to manage behaviours and implement strategies. Staff help children to develop self-soothing strategies.

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

There has been a high number of physical interventions for one child. The interventions are appropriate, proportionate and necessary. The manager has good oversight of incidents and has identified patterns. The manager works closely with the child’s social worker and the psychotherapist to provide the appropriate support to the child. The child has spent time with local police to help build positive relationships and discuss safer ways to manage difficult emotions.

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

A child who had been exposed to criminal activity before moving to the home has been helped by staff to complete community service. The child is proud of their achievements and has had no further involvement in criminal activity.

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

There have been several allegations against staff. The manager responds to the allegations promptly. On one occasion, a staff member did not report a significant Inspection report for children's home: 2661987 5 incident. The manager took appropriate actions; the staff member had additional training and learned from the incident. Staff have since followed whistle-blowing procedures and feel confident to raise concerns when necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The experienced registered manager holds a relevant level 5 diploma and is an excellent role model to staff. The manager has support from two competent deputy managers. Staff said that the managers are ‘brilliant, approachable and supportive’. The manager has high expectations of staff. Staff morale is high because staff are motivated to deliver good-quality care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff have good-quality training. The home’s psychotherapist provides regular training to the staff. The staff said that they have thorough inductions and a wide range of face-to-face and online training. The staff either hold a level 3 diploma or are working towards the qualification within the agreed timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager holds staff well-being in high regard. Staff benefit from regular supervision, including clinical supervision. The staff have access to the home’s psychologist on a one-to-one basis and have regular well-being sessions. Staff feel well equipped and resilient to help children with complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is an excellent advocate for children. On one occasion, the manager advocated for a child who became distressed on their journey to school. As a result, the child’s transport was changed and there have been no further concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Two social workers said that they are impressed with the care that the staff and the manager provide to the children. A social worker said: ‘The staff and manager show the child so much love. The child sees them as his family and this as his home. Anybody else would have given up on him.’ The manager has regular multi-agency meetings to ensure that children receive the best possible care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has investigated some staff practice concerns. When staff have not delivered the standard of care expected, he has taken effective and appropriate actions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been some complaints from a parent and one from a social worker. One parent was not satisfied with the outcome of a complaint, so the complaint was looked at by a panel of professionals, including an independent body. The manager takes all complaints seriously.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager bases how staff deliver care on a therapeutic model that is set out in the home’s statement of purpose. However, two staff spoken with do not yet fully understand the model. Inspection report for children's home: 2661987 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should lead and manage the home in a way that delivers the ethos, outcomes and approach set out in the home’s statement of purpose. In particular, ensure that staff fully understand the model of care outlined in the statement of purpose. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.4)

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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 Childrens 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

Amy Miles, 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 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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