Children's Home run by Oracle Care Limited in Bedford

Inspection report for children’s home: SC484114 1 SC484114 Registered provider: Oracle Care Limited 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 organisation and provides care for up to 3 children.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023 and is suitably qualified.

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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 good

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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: 11 November 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC484114 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/11/2025 Full Good 04/09/2024 Full Good 16/01/2024 Full Good 09/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC484114 3

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Summary of findings

Children benefit exceptionally well from warm, nurturing and therapeutic care provided by an aspirational staff team. Leaders and managers have high expectations and maintain strong oversight to ensure children receive consistent, individualised support. Children build positive relationships, engage in education and maintain strong family connections. They take part in a wide range of activities and experiences that reflect their interests. Staff work very well with the therapeutic services and partner agencies to meet children’s needs. Children are listened to and encouraged to achieve their goals and, as a result, make extremely good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection, one child has moved from the home, and one child has moved in. Two of the children have lived at the home for a significant period and are thriving. Their established routines and familiarity with the home contribute to stability and a strong sense of safety.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff know the children well and speak to them with warmth and care. The children benefit from a nurturing and therapeutic approach. The children speak openly with staff about their daily experiences. This reflects the trusting relationships that they have developed with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are happy and engage positively with staff and each other. They spend time with each other and staff, playing games and taking part in shared activities. This provides ample opportunities to enjoy time together. These interactions strengthen relationships and encourage positive social interaction.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children take part in a wide range of activities and day trips that reflect their individual interests and preferences. The manager is committed to ensuring that the children have varied and meaningful opportunities. Staff encourage the children to share their ideas about experiences they would enjoy. Children contribute to planning their individual annual holidays, with some going abroad. The children enjoy new opportunities and create happy childhood memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support the children to maintain relationships with their families and transport the children when needed. This helps children to stay in touch with those important to them. Family and professionals provided exceptionally positive feedback about the care and support provided to the children. One parent said that their child is getting the support that they need and making progress in all areas. A professional said, ‘This is the best home I have worked with; the drive staff have for children is first class.’ Overall, the children benefit from a home that families and professionals trust and respect. Inspection report for children’s home: SC484114 4 All of the children are in education. Staff work closely with schools and tutors to ensure that children receive tailored support. Managers work proactively to ensure children’s educational needs are met and advocate for them well. One child had not attended

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

school for some time before moving in. They now attend school and feel positive regarding their experiences. All of the children have clear aspirations for their futures, and staff encourage and support them to achieve their goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child moved on to semi-independent living. Staff provided consistent support throughout the planned move. They helped the child to buy new furniture and create a familiar and personalised space. Staff continue to provide support following the child’s move by keeping in touch, visiting and checking on their wellbeing. One child said that the independence skills gained at the home had helped them in daily life. Staff created scrapbooks to capture the child’s experiences and achievements during their time at the home. This practice provides children with a lasting record of their memories and relationships.

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

Staff write clear and well-informed risk assessments and care plans. The children contribute to their plans, which reflect their individual needs, views and preferences. Staff use this information to provide consistent care. Staff follow agreed plans and strategies when incidents occur. This clear guidance helps staff to respond consistently to meet each child’s individual needs.

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

Staff use positive reinforcement and praise to encourage children’s achievements. Reward charts are displayed and staff recognise and celebrate progress. This helps build children’s confidence and self-esteem and motivates them to achieve their goals.

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

The children feel safe and stable at the home. Significant incidents are reducing. Behaviour support plans are detailed and clearly outline strategies and distraction techniques staff can use. This structured approach helps staff to anticipate triggers, respond consistently and help children to manage behaviours safely.

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

Staff complete regular one-to-one sessions with children. These sessions are well structured and provide opportunities to explore topics that are important to the children and support their understanding. For one child, staff have a planned and gradual approach to introducing a smartphone. Staff have provided sessions to increase the child’s awareness of online safety to help them develop the knowledge and skills to use technology safely.

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

The home has its own therapeutic practitioner, who completes the initial 12-week assessments for each child. The practitioner knows the children well and provides regular input in response to any emerging concerns. They support staff using ‘team around the child’ meetings by identifying strategies to meet children’s needs. One child, who previously had a negative view of therapy, is now developing trust in the therapeutic Inspection report for children’s home: SC484114 5 process and is engaging in sessions. Staff and managers actively encourage children to access the type of intervention that best meets their individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers create a culture of high aspiration and positivity. They have high expectations of their staff and lead with a strong commitment to improving the lives of children. The manager is supported by an experienced responsible individual who knows the children well. Children respond positively to the staff and continue to grow and develop emotionally because they feel cared for, listened to and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Management oversight comprehensively covers all aspects of children’s care. Managers review incidents promptly and identify learning or patterns. They share this learning with staff to inform their practice, strengthen responses and encourage consistent staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have undertaken all relevant mandatory training that is reflective of children’s individual needs. Managers identify additional training when the needs of children change, and this is promptly delivered by an in-house training team. The management team has a committed investment to staff training and development. This supports building a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff supervision sessions happen regularly and in line with policies. These are thorough and include detailed and reflective discussions with staff using safeguarding scenarios. Supervision gives staff a chance to share any worries and receive feedback on their performance. This creates a strong, reflective workforce focused on children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feedback is positive, with staff describing the manager as visible, approachable and readily available to provide support. One member of staff said, ‘The manager is excellent; she is highly supportive of both the children and staff and leads by example.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager returned from planned leave in February 2026. An interim manager registered and covered the role while the manager was on leave. These arrangements provided excellent consistency and continuity of care for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC484114 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: SC484114 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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Chelsea Lightfoot

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Inspector

Harkerat Lidhar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC484114 8 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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