Children's Home run by O’Connell Care Group in Worcestershire

Inspection report for children's home: 2744065 1 Registered provider: O’Connell Care Group

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to three children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home has been registered since March 2024. This is the home’s first inspection. The manager has not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2744065 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home’s first child moved into the home in May 2024. There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection, who was spoken to during the inspection.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Discussions with relevant agencies and suitable planning took place before the child came to live at the home. This ensured that staff knew what the child’s needs were when they arrived and they were able to offer attuned care.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Despite the child only living at the home for a short period of time, they have settled well and are forging positive relationships with staff.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys taking part in a variety of activities. These include trips to the cinema, cafes and restaurants. When the child expresses a wish to try new activities, staff work hard to organise these to enhance their experiences.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been promptly registered with statutory health services such as the doctor, dentist and optician. Staff support the child to attend appointments, which ensures their health needs are met.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not currently registered with a school. Staff are working hard to identify an appropriate school placement. In the meantime, alternative opportunities are offered to support their learning and maintain a routine in readiness for attending school.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager has identified ways to educate the child on a variety of topics such as the teenage brain and family relationships. Regular key-work sessions also take place with the child. This practice enhances the child’s knowledge and increases their understanding of themselves and others.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from external professionals is very positive. They said staff communicate well with them about the child. Positive relationships with external agencies support the progression of the child’s care plan.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to spend time with their family and recognise the positive impact this has on their sense of identity.

p.2

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

There have not been any serious incidents at the home since it was registered. Despite this, staff are able to explain how they would respond to incidents by following procedures and what action they would take to keep children safe.

p.2

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

Robust risk assessments are in place to support staff in managing the child’s individual risks. These plans clearly set out the child’s triggers and behaviours. This information Inspection report for children's home: 2744065 3 supports good practice and ensures that staff have a good understanding of the child’s needs.

p.2

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

Support plans are written to the child, using language that they understand, so that they know how staff will help and support them. This has had a positive impact for the child. Since living at the home, they have not gone missing from home. In addition, bedroom door alarms which were originally installed to promote the child’s safety have now been removed. This demonstrates that the child is making progress from their starting point.

p.3

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

Prescribed medication is administered safely. The manager has reflected on processes to avoid errors and strengthen staff practice.

p.3

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

Safer recruitment practices are followed to ensure that staff working with children are suitably checked and vetted. However, risk assessments for staff who require them should be in place and be regularly reviewed, to consider any risks that could have an impact on the safety of children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A manager who was originally registered has since left the company. A new manager was promptly appointed who has relevant skills and experience and who supported the inspection. The change of manager has not had a detrimental impact on the day-to-day running of the home or the care that the child receives.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is appropriately staffed to provide care for the child living there. Despite staff being new to their roles, managers have ensured that they are supported through supervision and a comprehensive induction.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have identified that additional staff need to be recruited before any more children can be admitted to the home. They are in the process of recruiting staff so that when the home reaches full capacity, there will be sufficient staff to provide care for three children.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff undertake a wide range of training. This includes training to meet the child’s individual needs. The manager has enrolled staff on the relevant level 3 qualification to further enhance their knowledge and skills, and to ensure that they meet regulatory requirements. Inspection report for children's home: 2744065 4

p.3

Recommendation

 The registered person should maintain good employment practice. They should ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. This relates to conducting risk assessments for staff when there are any known risks, to ensure that risk is appropriately assessed and mitigated. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

p.4

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: 2744065 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: O’Connell Care Group

p.5

Inspector

Charlotte Love, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2744065 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6