Children's Home run by Oasis Adolescent Services Ltd in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2591400 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

The home is operated by a private company and provides care for up to three boys who may have social and emotional needs.

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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 outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 19 October 2021

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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: 2591400 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/10/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2591400 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children make clear progress from their initial starting points. When children make progress at this home, they are able to move on from residential care. Since the last inspection, three children have moved on from the home. One child returned to family, one child moved into a foster home and the other moved into a semi-independent home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Currently, two children reside at the home. Both children have made measurable progress since moving into the home. For one child who recently moved into the home, there has already been progress with his diet, education, engagement with staff and his outlook on life. In relation to this, the child said, ‘I have learned many values since coming here, I am in a routine, I go to education and go to the gym. Before, I would not really go out the house’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals are positive about children’s experiences of living in the home and are clear about the progress that they make. One social worker said, ‘It is clear that [name of child] has made progress in all areas. His health needs are managed, he is now engaging in education, he is developing his peer relationship skills and he is learning to regulate himself better’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from living in a calm, relaxed and welcoming home environment. When children return home, they are welcomed by staff with enthusiasm. Staff are interested about children’s experiences and spend quality time talking to them about this. This approach reinforces to children that they are cared for by staff who are genuinely interested about their daily life experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their individuality. Within the living room, pictures of the children are displayed and proudly celebrate their achievements. This creates a homely feel and helps children feel welcome. A recommendation is made to make changes to part of the kitchen that has a large commercial display board. This gives an institutional feel to this part of the home.

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

Children told the inspector that they feel safe living at the home and that staff genuinely care about their safety. Professionals are equally positive about how well children are protected by staff. One social worker said, ‘Staff have worked hard to understand [name of child] so they can support him emotionally as much as possible. I feel they manage him very well which prevents him from dysregulating, becoming anxious and feeling unsafe’.

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

Staff develop positive relationships with children; this directly contributes to a reduction in their risk-taking behaviours. For both children, there has been a significant reduction in physical and verbal aggression. There have been no periods Inspection report for children’s home: 2591400 4 of missing from home for any child within this inspection period. Therefore, children are less vulnerable to those who may pose a risk to them outside of the home.

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

Children’s risks are well detailed within risk management plans with clear actions of what staff must take to manage each risk. Staff therefore understand children’s risks well and know what to do in order to keep them safe. Consequently, children’s risks significantly reduce from their starting points. In relation to this, one social worker said, ‘Risk-taking behaviour has substantially reduced since [name of child] has been there’.

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

Children are supported by staff to understand and manage their emotions. Staff support children in times of crisis and use discussion to avoid conflict. The success of this approach means that there has been just one physical intervention. This was proportionate and needed to keep the child safe.

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

Staff are positive role models for children who learn the benefits to making positive relationships. In relation to this, one child said, ‘Yes, I get on with the staff, they are nice and support me’.

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

Staff use door alarms to monitor the movements of children within the home. Staff report that this is necessary to help keep children safe. However, there is no written agreement with the children’s local authority for this measure. This means that staff do not have permission for this level of surveillance as is required by regulation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by a registered manager whose commitment and enthusiasm for improving the lives of children is inspiring. The manager leads by example and has created a positive culture in which the quality of care afforded to children is high. Consequently, staff retention levels are impressive, and children receive a consistent level of care from a staffing team who know them well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is supported by a deputy manager and team leaders who have been employed by the home for a number of years. Together, they form a management team that provides effective support to staff who report to enjoy working at the home. One staff member said, ‘Coming here was the best decision I have ever made. I genuinely look forward to coming to work. We are a small house and a small team, we are like a family, it is a home away from home’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are supported by an effective management team to progress their careers and reflect on their practice within the home. Staff receive regular high-quality supervision where personal progression and improving the lives of children is the focus. In relation to this, one staff member said, ‘The manager is the most supportive person I have ever worked with. The manager always leads by example and is a very caring person who wants the best for all the young people and all the staff team’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591400 5 The manager knows the home’s strengths and weaknesses fully. The manager is supported by an independent visitor who visits the home on a monthly basis. Where areas for improvement have been identified the manager has taken swift action to implement changes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from professionals about how the home is managed is positive across the board. It is clear that the manager is an effective communicator and actively advocates on behalf of children. In relation to this, one headteacher said, ‘The manager is also vocal and active in any meetings I have been in with him, as he wants the best for [name of child] and for him to reach his full potential’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591400 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance. (Regulation 24 (1)(b)(c)) 12 January 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2591400 7

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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

Rob Neild, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2591400 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 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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