Children's home run by Oasis Adolescent Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 1 Registered provider: Oasis Adolescent Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to three children who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since the home registered in September 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of inspection, there were two children living in the home. Children live in a spacious, modern and well-decorated house. They have access to a games room, communal rooms and private areas for prayer. Photos of children are displayed around the home, helping the children to build a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children well. Staff have built relationships with children through the use of interpreters, visual aids and staff learning the children’s first language. The staff organise activities such as trips to pleasure beaches, the zoo and playing sports together. This helps children benefit from quality time with staff. Staff organise a range of activities that include visiting museums, bowling and swimming. Enjoying new experiences has helped children build confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage and support children with their religious and cultural needs. Children attend the local mosque. Staff provide audio versions of the Qur'an so that children who cannot read can continue to follow their beliefs. Children’s identities and backgrounds are respected and supported by the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s attendance at school and college is good. Staff help the children with routines so that they are ready for the school day, and they support children to do their homework. Children are motivated to learn and understand that education is important.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical and mental health needs are met. This is particularly evident with children who have experienced significant trauma. Staff work with the home’s therapist to provide emotional support. Staff have prioritised one child’s physical health needs. They supported him during a stay in hospital, and they facilitated medical appointments. Interpreters were used to ensure that the child was aware of his illness and any implications.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff celebrate children’s achievements. Staff talk with children about the progress they are making. Staff and children plan future targets together. Children’s independence skills are celebrated. One child made progress with his independence skills and received new cricket equipment, which helped him develop his sporting interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s care plans contain a vast amount of information, which is not all relevant and makes it difficult to identify the current concerns and plans.

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

Children’s risk management plans are detailed. Individual risks are identified and guide staff in how they can help to reduce risks to children. Staff meet with children to discuss their vulnerabilities. Staff have attended training which helps them Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 3 recognise signs of known risks. In particular, children’s vulnerability to radicalisation has reduced because of the staff’s awareness. Children are safe and helped to recognise dangers others may pose.

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

Staff attend safeguarding training and are familiar with the home’s whistle-blowing policy. The staff’s understanding of safeguarding policies is regularly discussed in team meetings and supervision meetings. Safeguarding concerns are regularly notified to the relevant professionals and Ofsted. This helps to monitor concerns promptly.

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

Staff use positive rewards with children. Children are involved in planning activities they will enjoy. Children have activities that they look forward to. Staff use a variety of communication methods with children, which helps them to tell staff if they are unhappy or worried. As a result, there have been no physical interventions, sanctions or incidents of children going missing from care.

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

Staff work with other professionals to keep the children safe. One social worker said the staff worked closely with him in identifying risks for a child. The police are invited to team meetings to discuss topics relevant to the specific risks that children face.

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

The manager follows safer recruitment processes. Staff are thoroughly checked before they work with children. Staff undertake a detailed induction programme. The manager ensures that the staff are competent in their roles, and, as a result, children are supported by staff who are suitable to provide care for them.

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

Children are helped to talk about their past experiences. Staff spend time with them discussing topics such as anxiety, grounding techniques and self-help toolkits. Staff encourage children to talk about what worries them. One child has an unsettled sleep pattern. Staff purchased night lights for his bedroom and checked on him regularly overnight. This helps children to settle at night and feel safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has suitable qualifications and experience to manage the home. The manager supports staff with their own professional development. The staff are either qualified or working towards a qualification. This means children are cared for by competent and confident staff who understand their roles and responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective monitoring systems in place. The manager monitors the staff performance, children’s outcomes and the health and safety of the home. The manager knows the strengths and areas for development. A detailed development plan is in place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager learns from complaints. There has been one complaint from a child which the manager thoroughly investigated in an open and transparent manner. The manager communicated with all involved to ensure that he gathered evidence about Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 4 the child’s concerns. Children’s concerns are taken seriously, which helps them to feel respected and listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff and manager work closely with local community groups. The manager researched groups which the children would benefit from joining. The staff help children attend and build networks with different cultural organisations. The manager has built good relationships with neighbours and links with others in the community. This helps children to have a sense of belonging, security and purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. The manager and deputy manager implement a reflective model in staff supervision meetings. This helps staff to develop their skills when working with the children. Staff feel supported by the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to a range of training opportunities. However, the therapeutic model of care staff are trained to use is not fully evident in staff practice. This means that children do not receive a consistent approach from staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure they lead a team which provides high quality care for all children living in the home. They must lead and manage the home in a way that delivers the ethos, outcomes and approach set out in the home’s statement of purpose. In particular, ensure staff use the agreed models of care when helping children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.4)  The registered person should ensure that children’s case records are accessible to those who need to view them. In particular, limit the amount of historical information in care plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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: 2645901 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oasis Adolescent Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 9 Beacon Grove, Oldham OL8 2XH

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Inspector

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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