Children's home run by Oracle Care Limited in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC356327 1 SC356327 Registered provider: Oracle Care 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 home is owned by a private company. The home provides care for up to two children who may have experienced social and emotional 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 registered manager left in December 2024. A new manager has been appointed and has submitted her application to become registered.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 30 January 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC356327 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/01/2024 Full Outstanding 31/01/2023 Full Outstanding 13/04/2021 Full Good 07/01/2019 Interim Not judged Inspection report for children’s home: SC356327 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are making exceptional progress in relation to their social, physical and emotional well-being. They receive excellent care from a highly skilled team, whose members use trauma-informed approaches as part of their everyday work. These approaches are firmly embedded in the home. The ethos of the home is built on creating a family environment, and staff said they love working in the home. Staff have nurturing, caring and highly attentive relationships with children. This helps children feel a sense of belonging and safety.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are settled in the home and have lived there for some time. Since the last inspection, one child has moved out. This happened in a planned and positive way. One child said, ‘It is 10 out of 10 here; it’s the best place I have ever lived. Staff really look after me, and they love me like no one else has.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy a wide range of opportunities and new experiences, such as holidays abroad, trips to zoos, cinema nights and pamper days. Additionally, they take part in a wide range of events within the organisation, such as hosting the annual Halloween party and were runners up in the annual gardening competition.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s achievements are recognised and celebrated, and staff ensure that positive experiences are captured for them. The use of resources such as life-story work and positive praise books are fantastic mementos for children to look back fondly on their memories in the home. Staff also sensitively acknowledge when things go wrong, and help children reflect through meaningful key-work sessions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children make excellent progress in education. Since the last inspection one child has successfully passed their exams and gained full-time employment. When children struggle in education, staff work effectively with the virtual school and their teachers to find a solution. Professionals said there is excellent communication, and one said, ‘Staff do an excellent job of advocating for [name of child] and help support their participation in meetings.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There is excellent partnership working in place between staff and the organisation’s clinical team. Together, they have researched theoretical methodology and added it into their daily practice. This provides some evidence of the therapeutic parenting approach that staff take and the ethos of the home. Staff are innovative at applying strategies to support children’s emotional well-being, and professionals are complimentary about how this helps children. Managers continually evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies and make necessary changes when required.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have explored a wide range of information on different faith groups and leaders, sexuality and family history. This helps children understand their culture, heritage and identity. Inspection report for children’s home: SC356327 4 Children live in a homely environment. There is a relaxed and warm atmosphere, and the home is furnished and decorated to a good standard.

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

The safety and well-being of children is a priority and at the centre of staff’s practice. Staff have a thorough understanding of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Children benefit from consistent routines and boundaries. Where consequences have been used, these have been minimal and proportionate.

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

Staff manage incidents extremely well. Additional support is sourced, where required, through drugs referral teams, child and adolescence mental health support (CAMHS) or additional education. Following any incidents of concern, safety plans are immediately reviewed and updated to prevent reoccurrences. Furthermore, managers evaluate each incident to identify if there are any lessons to be learned to improve staff’s practice.

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

Important conversations take place with children that are meaningful and help them understand the risks and dangers around drugs, alcohol, safe friendships and emotional well-being. When needed staff also ensure that referrals are made for children to have specialist support. Good-quality work with, and support for, children helps them stay safer.

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

Staff ensure that children have age-appropriate access to the internet and social media. Recently, one child has worked with staff to create a bespoke mobile phone plan. They have also completed quizzes and worksheets through online training platforms. This ensures that children have regular opportunities to learn about staying safe online.

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

Staff help children to attend routine health appointments. Children are supported with their diets to ensure they are eating regular healthy meals. Medication processes are safe and effective. All staff are trained in the safe administration of medications, with effective storage systems in place.

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

Safer recruitment processes are robust. This ensures that only suitably checked adults are employed to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is very knowledgeable about the needs of the children. Leaders, managers and staff are aspirational for children’s lives. The manager provides excellent support to help staff learn and develop. This helps motivate staff, who are enthusiastic and committed to their roles. Leaders continually provide upskilling sessions for staff that help them progress in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There have been some recent changes in the management of the home. The new manager was previously the deputy and has worked in the home for several years. She is experienced and qualified. Leaders and managers have worked closely to ensure that Inspection report for children’s home: SC356327 5 these staffing changes have had minimal impact on the children. Professionals commented on the stability and consistency that is provided by staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers instil a culture of reflective practice, which ensures that staff are continually reflecting on and developing their practice. Staff receive regular supervision, and there are effective daily handovers. These provide an excellent forum for staff to share necessary information. Staff have received their annual appraisals, when they set goals and objectives for the year ahead.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an abundance of research-informed practice running throughout the home. Staff deliver presentations through regular team meetings. This work has helped staff to widen their understanding of issues such as attachment, self-harm and professional boundaries. A more knowledgeable staff teams means they are better equipped to meet children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager’s internal auditing processes and oversight of children’s care are excellent. She makes good use of the external monitoring systems and is keen to follow through any recommendations made by the independent visitor. Staff have access to a wide range of training that informs their practice and helps ensure they have the skills to meet children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s views are central to the running of the home. The manager ensures that children are very much involved in the development and review of their own care plans and risk assessments. Children’s case records are child friendly and kept up to date. Inspection report for children’s home: SC356327 6

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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: SC356327 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oracle Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suites 1 & 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN

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Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC356327 8 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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Inspector

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