Children's home run by Purple Oak Support

Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 1 Registered provider: Purple Oak Support Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This six-bed home provides overnight short breaks for children and young people from three to 19 years with additional and sometimes complex needs. There were two children receiving short breaks at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since the home opened on 12 February 2019.

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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 November 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 5 September 2023, an assurance inspection was carried out at the home. This was due to a serious incident that had taken place. Serious concerns were identified at that inspection. As a result, the provider was issued a restriction of accommodation notice. Following the inspection, the organisation provided Ofsted with an action plan in relation to providing safe care for a child who was living at the home.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 14 September 2023, a monitoring visit was carried out at the home. The purpose of the visit was to assess the provider’s progress against the action plan submitted Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 2 to Ofsted. Further concerns were identified at this monitoring visit and none of the proposed actions from the action plan had been addressed. Following the monitoring visit, the provider was issued with a notice suspending their registration.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 4 December 2023, a further monitoring visit was carried out at the home. Improvements had been made by the provider, and the notice suspending the home’s registration was lifted. Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/11/2022 Full Good 01/11/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff, who nurture and care for them. The staff are skilled and knowledgeable about the individual needs of the children who access the home. There is a real sense of teamwork and strong working relationships by staff, who acknowledge difficulties and support each other. Children have fun at the home and are encouraged by staff to expand their experiences and make memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have a welcoming home that is child-centred and provides space, giving children areas to stay together or separate if they wish. For example, there is a sensory room, spacious lounge with a book corner, and a large garden where children can play safely. The home is decorated to a high standard. Photos of children and their artwork are beautifully captured and displayed. This helps children to feel positive about themselves and enhances their self-esteem. However, there are missed opportunities to fully showcase children’s achievements and progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy their stays at the home. There is clear evidence of the positive impact that the home is having on their lives. Children are encouraged to enjoy a range of physically and emotionally stimulating activities, such as arts and crafts, trips to the parks and shops, and playing games. Children were seen enjoying the trampoline, playing catch and singing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s needs are well understood by staff, who are attentive to any changes outside of children’s usual presentations. Children’s anxieties, as communicated through behaviours, are well documented through incident reports. Staff have a sound understanding of children’s communication methods and their preferences, and support children to have their say about their stays at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents value and praise the quality of care and attention that staff give to their children. One parent said, ‘I’m very happy, communication is the best, I always receive updates. I have no worries or concerns.’ Parents are also given opportunities to give feedback after their child’s stays in the home. Parents say, ‘[Name of child] loves all staff that look after them and they enjoy staying over,’ ‘I feel staff know my child well and are supported with their medical needs.’

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

Staff confidently know children’s risks, which are understood and managed well, and children are supported to carry out their day-to-day care routines. A past serious incident has led to changes in practice. Staff receive specific training to meet the complex health needs of the children who access the home, for example diabetes, epilepsy, and enteral feeding. Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 5 Staff are skilled in keeping children safe and are committed to providing an environment where children can thrive physically, emotionally and socially. Staff understand the organisation’s safeguarding policies and practice and staff know how to raise concerns and who to contact for immediate advice or support.

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

Video and sound monitors are used to monitor and safeguard the children who have complex health needs. Consent for this is sought from families and professionals, and cameras are not routinely used for all children or during personal care. The home has waking night staff who monitor the monitors, but this does not replace visual checks on children who stay at the home.

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

Leaders and managers ensure that maintenance of the home and equipment is up to date and safe. Personal evacuation emergency plans give clear direction for staff and regular drills are held so that children know what to do in the event of a fire. The home is safe for children.

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

There is a lack of curiosity to ensure that safe recruitment checks are completed to a satisfactory level. For example, one staff recruitment file did not clearly demonstrate that gaps in employment have been explored fully, and clear checks need to be in place for student placements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager was not present at the time of the inspection. Therefore, the inspection took place with the responsible individual and deputy managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An external investigation regarding a serious incident that had occurred at the home is now concluded. Leaders and managers implemented a comprehensive development plan, which has improved the care and overall experiences for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have effective monitoring systems, which have strengthened the development of the home to monitor children’s care. This has improved the oversight. However, placement planning for one child was yet to be updated, and information about seating positions when children have enteral feeding is not always clear in plans. This was recognised during the inspection and rectified immediately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children were supported to return to the service sensitively, ensuring that families and children were consulted on their views and all care paperwork was shared and amended, for example personal care routines and risk assessments. This provides consistent care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive good management support through effective supervision, which provides them with space to reflect on their own individual practice. Team meetings have also enhanced staff knowledge and skills. The registered manager’s communication with staff giving feedback has been well received by staff, meaning staff respect and value leaders and managers. Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 6 Staff benefit from receiving high-quality training that enables them to meet the children’s needs well. Leaders and managers have identified areas where staff require additional support, providing staff with further workshops and competency assessments in areas of report writing, enteral feeding and fire safety. Staff reflect on their learning and can request additional support to enhance their skills further.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from external professionals is very positive regarding communication and partnership working. This demonstrates a culture of openness, which keeps children’s needs at the heart of decision-making. One social worker said, ‘If issues arise, they explore ways to sort this. For example, request of behavioural plan from school, diabetes nurse to train staff, permission to use monitoring equipment for child with epilepsy, issues with transport, and if a child is unsettled, how to best support them.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 7

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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, The 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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1)(3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that satisfactory explanations of any gaps in employment are obtained and appropriate information is gained for any student placements. 19 April 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person must keep case records up to date. This is in relation to children’s placement plans and risk assessments regarding enteral feeding. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)  The registered person should ensure that staff fully recognise and celebrate the achievements of children by showcasing them throughout the home for children to see. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.7)

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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: 2504775 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Purple Oak Support, The Wellington Centre, 3 Winchester Road, Andover SP10 2EG

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Inspector

Hannah Cox, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2504775 9 regulates and inspects 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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