“children's homes in Central Bedfordshire”

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care and accommodation for up to three children aged between 10 and 18 years. The home looks after children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Information about this children's home

The home and a one-bedded annex provide care and accommodation for no more than three children, irrespective of gender, aged between 10 and 18, who have complex histories and levels of need. Staff use the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention model. They deliver an integrated approach to care, education and clinical need. The home is privately owned by Oracle Care and accepts national referrals.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is set in a rural location just outside the main town. It is decorated to a good standard. It has benefited from having new lighting downstairs which has given it a Inspection report children’s home: SC392408 7 brighter feel. The children were involved in choosing the paint for the lounge and they have recently had their bedrooms redecorated. The child that has moved into the annex commented that he had picked the colour for the lounge and his bedroom. This involvement of the children in deciding on the decor of their house shows that staff see the home as the children’s.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for no more than three young people of either gender aged between ten and eighteen years of age, who have complex histories and levels of need. The home is privately owned and accepts national referrals. Staff use the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention model, they deliver an integrated approach to care, education and clinical need.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is clean and tidy. The children commented that new sofas are arriving this week, and they were involved in choosing these. Some paintwork needs touching up, and the kitchen looks tired and worn. The flooring in the bathroom needs replacing as it has burn marks on it, and the carpet in the lounge of the one- bedded house needs replacing. The manager has begun to consult with the children on a redecoration programme for the house. The children’s bedrooms are spacious and personalised.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand that transitions both into and leaving the home can be difficult for the children. A child recently left the home; this was a planned move and has been successful. The child had a leaving meal, and all the children attended an activity together before he left. The staff and the children still see him at the school. Another child moved from the one-bedded unit, and this was to support him with learning to live within a group setting and having more independence. A third child has recently moved into the one-bedded unit. The transition was planned, and she was supported by staff to settle in and to buy new furniture for her bedroom. She commented that she has settled well and likes living there. The social worker said, ‘She has settled well and I know that staff will keep her safe. She has started to attend education, which is good.’

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered for three children who require care, education and clinical support.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children’s home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children’s home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children’s home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children’s home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children’s home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have begun to make progress since the last inspection. A social worker commented, ‘He has made huge steps forward; the staff manage his behaviour really well.’ There is a stable team of staff in place who know and understand the children. The staff from the sister homes, who know the children, cover any gaps in the rota. This means that there is consistency in the home. A peripatetic manager oversees the home in the manager’s absence.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Information about this children’s home

The home and annex Jade Cottage provide care and accommodation for no more than three people, irrespective of gender, aged between 10 and 18 who have complex histories and levels of need. Staff use the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention model. They deliver an integrated approach to care, education and clinical need. The home is privately owned by Oracle Care and accepts national referrals.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the inspection, some shortfalls were identified. The home has a location risk assessment, and the manager has sought the views of other agencies to help inform the assessment. However, while the location of the home with regards to a busy main road close to the home is recorded in the assessment, it fails to clearly identify the action that has been taken to reduce the potential risk to young people. In addition, it fails to inform an assessment regarding new admissions referred to the service if a known risk is highlighted, such as history of running onto roads and of additional action required to further reduce potential risks that have not yet been implemented. The manager is fully aware of the potential risks to young people living at the home, and has already made some changes required, however, these are not clearly recorded and detailed on the document.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

The children’s home provision is good because:

 The staff know and understand the young people’s individual needs and are committed to working with them to support their progress.  Staff are enthusiastic and this is evident in the positive experiences that young people have.  The staff listen to the young people and act on their wishes.  The young people say that they are happy in the home and can identify staff who they can speak to if they are worried or upset.  There is a wide variety of activities for young people, both in the home and in the community.  Staff challenge young people’s negative behaviours and discuss these in reflective conversations.  Young people are encouraged and supported to personalise their bedrooms and choose decor and furnishings for the home.  Staff understand that transitions for some young people can be difficult and work with them in preparation.  Young people have individual targets and a reward chart in place.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are very positive about the care they receive and one young person said that ‘all the staff are lovely’ and ‘he was very happy at the home’. The young person viewed the house as his home.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to complain. There is a ‘grumble book’ that children use to record any concerns. The manager reads and comments on any issues raised. Children are consulted about the running of the home in weekly house meetings. The manager comments on the issues raised by the children. This shows the children that their views, wishes and feelings are important and that staff listen and take action. Inspection report children’s home: SC392408 5

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support children in developing their independence around the home. The children keep their bedrooms tidy and do chores such as gardening. On the day of the inspection, a child was cutting the grass and commented that the money he was getting he was saving towards a tablet computer. These incentives support and enhance the children’s awareness of learning independence and looking after their environment.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Key findings from this inspection

 The children make good progress in their educational achievement and attendance. This is because the staff understand the importance of education and actively support the children to attend.  Staff understand the importance of contact for the children with their families and help this to happen.  Staff support the children to learn, understand and manage risks appropriately.  The children say that they feel safe living in the home and know how to complain.  The staff consult children in a variety of ways. They listen to and act on the wishes and feelings of the children.  The children comment on and sign their placement plans to show they understand and agree with them.  The staff understand the importance of children building memories of their time in the home.  Staff support the children to explore their identity in a non-judgmental, supportive environment.  The children have built positive relationships with a staff team that knows and

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Sustained effectiveness .

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A child has recently moved into an annex of the main house. He commented, ‘Because I’m the only one living here I can start to do my independence properly. I am going to college in September and staff are going to teach me to use the bus. The manager has also said when I have built some trust I can work towards having a front door key and spending some time here on my own. So when I leave, I will be fully independent.’ This opportunity allows children to spend some time on their own before leaving the security of the home.

Central Bedfordshire · MK45 4HS · Part of Oracle Care Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of education and actively support the children to attend the organisation’s school. All of the children have high attendance. The staff actively support the children in school if they are finding things difficult. The communication between the school and home is good. The headteacher commented, ‘All the children are doing well, and we are pleased with their progression. Communication is good, and anything we have asked of the home has always been supported by staff.’ A child commented, ‘I like school, and I’m doing well.’