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

The home is run by a private organisation and is registered to care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since 13 September 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

Date of last inspection: 21 February 2023

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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: 2645901 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/02/2023 Full Good 23/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There were two children living at the home at the time of the inspection. During the inspection period, one child moved out to semi-independent living. This was a well- planned and supportive move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care planning arrangements are good. Leaders and managers carefully assess the needs of children moving into the home and ensure that staff have the relevant expertise to meet the children’s needs. In addition, children leaving the home are supported to learn skills to help them live independently. Due to the positive relationship established with staff, children feel comfortable asking for help after they have left the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop and maintain relationships with adults who care for them. There is a dependence on the staff team that has formed through staff showing that they are dedicated to helping children succeed. Children learn to trust staff and know they can rely on them to respond to their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children learn the value of education. Staff work jointly with partners to help children attend their education provision to minimise the risk of children experiencing delays in their learning and development. Partners speak highly of the support provided to children around their education. For example, professionals complimented staff for accompanying and remaining with the child in their education provision in line with their plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The wishes and feelings of children are regularly considered by leaders, managers and staff. Children can share their feelings about the home in a variety of ways. For example, children’s meetings take place regularly, and children have input regarding the meals they have and activities they participate in. Children confirm that their choices are respected and met. In addition, staff encourage children to comment on their risk and support plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The health needs of children are taken seriously by staff. Staff prioritise children’s registration with essential health services, such as the dentist and GP, to ensure that they can quickly access medical treatment when needed. In addition, children are helped to understand the benefits of living healthily and ways they can achieve this. For example, staff support children to learn about the risks associated with vaping.

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

Children are supported to take risks appropriate to their age and level of understanding. For example, one child who had never used the bus independently, and was new to the area, was assisted by staff to travel on the bus. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 4 Safeguarding procedures in the home are effective. Staff are guided by detailed risk management plans that are used to protect children from harmful situations. In addition, staff demonstrate they understand their role and responsibilities to respond to concerns about the safety of children.

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

Leaders, managers and staff establish effective links with safeguarding agencies. Staff understand children’s associated risks and follow safety plans produced by specialist support services to protect children and others from harm. Children, professionals and a family member of one of the children believe the home is a safe place to live.

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

Staff understand that children’s adverse experiences can influence their behaviour. They work closely with partners to help children identify inappropriate behaviour, and they use praise and reward to promote good behaviour.

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

When newly appointed staff have previously worked with vulnerable people, the pre- employment checks do not demonstrate that leaders and managers have taken reasonable steps to understand and verify why their employment ended. A good practice recommendation has been made to address this.

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

There have not been any incidents of children going missing from home or being restrained during the inspection period. However, if an incident should occur, staff are clear about the process they should follow to protect children from harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager, who has maintained his position in the home since it first registered with Ofsted. The manager has provided consistent guidance and leadership to the team. Staff speak highly of the support he provides and his passion for children to meet their full potential. The manager has notified the regulator of his intention to resign from his position as registered manager. He is supported by a deputy manager, who will step into the role of manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is resourced with a team that knows the children well and has a good understanding of their needs. Children benefit from the team’s stability. This gives them time to develop connections with staff at their own pace and provides a secure base for children to flourish.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a strong emphasis on partnership working. Leaders and managers understand that this holistic approach to caring for children contributes to positive outcomes for children. All professionals spoken to during the inspection commended leaders, managers and staff for their multi-agency approach to meeting children’s needs and keeping them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Case records reflect children’s day-to-day lives. Leaders and managers ensure that children receive individualised care in line with their local authority plans. Systems in Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 5 place ensure that plans are routinely reviewed to track children’s progress and any unmet needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have confidence in leaders and managers. Leaders and managers operate an open-door policy if staff need guidance. Formal supervision consistently takes place, and discussions are child-focused and centre on staff practice and well-being. In addition, supervision is used by leaders and managers as a forum to highlight and address areas of staff development. This ensures that the standard of care provided to children remains consistently good.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff development is promoted by leaders and managers and all staff are up to date with mandatory training. Practice learning takes place in team meetings and is an opportunity for staff to consider theoretical approaches to supporting children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems are comprehensive. Leaders and managers demonstrate they regularly monitor the quality of care provided to children and proactively seek feedback from partners. This oversight provides leaders and managers with an understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement, so they can ensure that care is being provided to children in line with legislation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers take pride in the home environment. Health and safety checks take place regularly to ensure that the home is well maintained, homely and a safe place for children to live. Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that where a person has previously worked with children or vulnerable adults, they take reasonable steps to try and verify why the employment ended. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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 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

Chibuzo Otache, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2645901 8 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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