Children's home run by Omega Care Group Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 1 Registered provider: Omega care Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company and provides care for up to three children who may have social and emotional challenges.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

The home has been redecorated throughout; it is now warm and welcoming. Children’s photos are displayed around the home, and they have the opportunity to personalise their bedrooms and contribute to the development of their home.

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The care of children

The children are making progress and have developed trusting relationships with the staff. Children said the home is, ‘homely, welcoming and really supportive’ and ‘you get out of it what you put in.’ The children understand the reasons for rules and boundaries in the home and feel these are fair and implemented consistently.

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The care of children

Staff support children with their education and have plans in place to support them when they are not in school full time. One child who was not in school for an extended period before moving to this home is now attending school each day and working hard to achieve their goals.

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The care of children

Staff offer children a variety of activities and outings. They encourage children to remain active and take care of their health and hygiene. When children have struggled with managing their emotions, staff have enrolled them in a martial arts club to help teach them self-control and provide an outlet for difficult emotions. Staff advocated for the children and have challenged external partners to ensure that the right support is in place for each child.

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The care of children

Staff teach children how to take care of themselves and support them to develop independent living skills to prepare them for adult life. Staff help children make plans for their adulthood and think about what they will need to do to achieve their goals. This encourages children to continue striving to reach their ambitions.

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The safety of children

Staff understand each child’s individual needs. They ensure that the right support is in place for each child through difficult times. Children say that they like living in this home and feel safe with their staff team.

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The safety of children

Staff complete direct-work sessions with children to help them understand how to keep themselves safe. When serious incidents have occurred, staff have supported children through these and enabled them to reflect on what happened and think about how things may be done differently next time.

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The safety of children

Children’s risks have decreased significantly since moving to this home. Children do not go missing from home often and safeguarding procedures are followed when children do go missing. Children’s plans are regularly updated to reflect their Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 3 individual changing needs. Staff follow these plans and know what strategies work best for each child.

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The safety of children

Staff use physical interventions as a last resort. When staff have had to restrain a child, they have recorded the incident appropriately. The manager evaluates any restraint to determine if it was necessary and proportionate. Children’s needs are understood and managed with individual strategies specific to each child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager is experienced and suitably qualified. She has a good understanding of the children’s needs and high aspirations for their futures. Staff feel well supported by the management team. The manager has fully addressed all requirements from the previous inspection of this home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

When recruiting staff, the manager follows safer recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are fully vetted and safe to work with children. This promotes a safe and healthy environment for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There is a stable staff team in place who have relevant experience and qualifications for their roles. Staff are knowledgeable and understand the theories that underpin their daily practice. The manager ensures that all staff receive development opportunities and training relevant to the needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has good internal monitoring systems and makes good use of independent monitoring to ensure that staff provide consistently good care to the children. This oversight promotes the safety and well-being of the children living there. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/11/2021 Interim Declined in effectiveness 09/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Omega care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 40-42 Kemble Street, Prescot L34 5SQ

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Inspector

Aislinn Cooper, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 6 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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