Children's home run by Ohana Care Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2684995 1 Registered provider: Ohana Care Homes Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home, providing care for up to three children who may experience social, emotional or mental health difficulties. Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2684995 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/07/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2684995 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences living at this home. Children’s views are sought regularly and children are encouraged to explore their interests in creative ways. For example, one child was encouraged to apply their interest in baking by organising a cake sale. The child baked their own goods, advertised the event and raised a generous amount of money for charity. This is an achievement for the child to be proud of.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. The needs of the child were fully considered before they moved in. The child was sensitively supported with early visits to the home to get to know staff and the other child living at the home, engaging in an activity of their choice. As a result, the child experienced a positive move into the home and continues to build on relationships with staff and their peer.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made positive progress with their education. One child has recently completed their exams and has secured a place on a college course. This is a significant outcome for the child. One education professional described input from staff as ‘transformational’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to develop their personal independence and life skills. Pet guinea pigs are cared for by children, encouraging responsibility. Independence plans are individualised and identify achievable goals in areas such as travel, shopping and household tasks. Progress is reviewed regularly to ensure that children continue to develop their skills further.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with their families in line with agreed plans. Staff communicate regularly with family members and share information appropriately. One family member described the staff team as ‘amazing’ and said that staff have ‘gone above and beyond’ in supporting their child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is comfortable and well maintained. There is a small garden area that is being developed with input from children. Children’s bedrooms are spacious and personalised. However, one bedroom was not clean and contained leftover, exposed food. The food was not removed by staff during the inspection, resulting in a health and safety risk.

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

Positive relationships have developed between staff and children. Children have trust in adults and will seek help when needed. Staff understand current risks for children and provide sensitive support through regular key-working sessions. External support services are explored for children where this may benefit them. There have been no complaints from children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2684995 4 There is an effective response from staff when children go missing from the home. Staff follow agreed protocols in line with safety plans. Relevant parties are informed, and information is shared appropriately with the wider professional network. Additionally, the registered manager maintains regular communication with the local police liaison officer. This ensures a joined-up approach from professionals in their response to safeguard children.

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

Children are sensitively supported to manage their behaviour. Use of physical intervention is rare and only implemented following clear de-escalation strategies. Children’s views are actively sought to lead staff in how they want to be supported during times of difficulty. Furthermore, staff ensure that children’s plans accurately reflect their views to ensure a consistent and child-centred approach to behaviour support.

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

There is a strong safeguarding culture at the home. Staff understand how to report concerns to keep children safe. Any concerns regarding staff conduct are fully investigated with learning outcomes identified. This ensures that there is sustained improvement of practice within the home. There have been no allegations of harm from children.

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

Staff are safely recruited to work in the home through a robust application process. However, one application form viewed did not provide enough detail on the candidate’s employment history. As a result, it was not clear if there had been any gaps in their employment that required further scrutiny.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is overseen by an experienced and child-focused registered manager. He has a strong understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. The registered manager invests time in getting to know children and celebrates their progress and achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems in place are effective. Clear oversight of incidents enables the registered manager to identify where improvements in practice may benefit children. The registered manager has begun to implement new ideas, with a strong focus on improving the mental well-being of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager works closely with external professionals and agencies. Communication is efficient and information is shared appropriately. The registered manager actively challenges professionals to seek better outcomes for children. External feedback is regularly sought to identify ways to develop the home further.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy working in the home and report of a happy and supportive culture. One member of staff described the home as ‘full of happiness’ and the staff team as ‘like a family’. This positive approach reflects the ethos of the home in providing a safe and nurturing environment for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2684995 5 Staff receive regular and effective supervision. Children’s needs are central to conversations and safeguarding concerns are discussed. Appraisals are detailed and recognise achievements of staff and identify areas for development. Feedback gained from children and staff strengthens the appraisal process and contributes to staff feeling valued in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff undertake regular training to ensure their ongoing personal development. Staff training is focused on children’s individual needs, further strengthening the knowledge and skills of staff. As a result, children receive care and support from a proficient and well-informed staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2684995 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises the risk to them. In particular, application forms should provide sufficient detail regarding the employment history of all staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that staff establish routines for children’s bedrooms to be cleaned regularly. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.20)

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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: 2684995 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ohana Care Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Liberty Group Ltd, Paragon House, Ramsgate CT11 9HD

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Inspector

Chris Warren, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2684995 8 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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