Children's Home run by Oaktree Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2651794 1 Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2024 and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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Inspection date: 4 November 2024

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. The inspector has 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: 2651794 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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Findings from the inspection

This inspection took place to look at specific concerns that were notified to Ofsted following a fire-setting incident in the home. The inspector evaluated how children were affected and assessed the actions of leaders and staff.

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Findings from the inspection

The children have positive relationships with staff and can identify adults who they trust. Staff take the children on activities outside of the home, which supports them to build and maintain relationships. Staff also support the children to pursue their chosen hobbies. This provides the children with opportunities to socialise in their wider community and broaden their experiences.

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Findings from the inspection

When children move into the home, they are welcomed sensitively and with care. Children visit the home beforehand and meet staff. Before children come to live at the home, the manager carries out a risk assessment. This identifies known risks for the child and considers the skills and experience of the staff to meet the children’s needs. Consideration is given to the potential impact of known risks on the children already living in the home as well as on the child coming to live in the home. As a result, all matching considerations for the children are appropriately evaluated.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have worked tirelessly with one child to address the presenting risks and concerns and to prepare them for independence. The effectiveness of this work has subsequently resulted in the placing local authority changing the care plan to one that the child wanted. The child has since successfully moved on from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff recognise and understand the importance of children spending time with people who are important to them. Staff support family time and supervise when appropriate. Therefore, the children enjoy regular time with family. This supports their sense of self and identity.

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Findings from the inspection

The children are not in full-time education. One child has one-to-one tutoring in the home and has an educational activity plan with staff. The registered manager has sourced a full-time provision for another child. The registered manager has provided the child with opportunities to visit the school and meet staff before starting school. This means that the child can begin to build trusting relationships with educational professionals and supports the child’s transition to a structured classroom environment.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been three significant behavioural incidents for one child who is new to the home. Staff’s attempts to de-escalate incidents have been ineffective. This has resulted in external professionals attending the home to support in managing the child’s behaviour. On one occasion, staff did not take steps to carry out a full search of the child’s bedroom to remove all items which may cause harm to the child or Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2651794 3 others. Identified learning from incidents is implemented into the child’s individual risk assessment and care plans, and these now have clear guidance for staff to follow. The registered manager is proactively working alongside external agencies to source specialised therapy and support for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff carry out direct work with the children to help them to understand the impact of their behaviours. Staff provide the children with an opportunity to reflect on what happened and to consider positive strategies to manage difficult emotions. When behavioural incidents occur, the registered manager ensures that other children living in the home are spoken to by staff about their experiences. Staff are proactive in providing additional support to the children where required.

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Findings from the inspection

Consequences are rarely used. When they are used, they are restorative and are proportionate to the behaviour displayed. There have been no instances where children have been physically held by staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive a wide range of training. However, they have not received bespoke training that is specific to the needs of the children. Therefore, staff do not have the necessary knowledge and skills to support their care of the children. Staff rosters do not include a record of the actual hours that staff and managers work in the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2651794 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/05/2024 Full Good 29/11/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2651794 5

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Statutory requirements

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

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)) 4 December 2024

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date; and

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Requirement Due date

retain the records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that rotas include the hours worked by staff and managers. 4 December 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2651794 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff receive appropriate training relevant to the specific needs of the children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2651794 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ground Floor, Seneca House, Links Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 2FF

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Inspector

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2651794 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 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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