Children's home run by Omega Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 1 Registered provider: Omega Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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: 7 November 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: 2567272 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/11/2023 Full Good 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 Inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are currently thriving in all aspects of their lives. This is a result of the nurturing and caring relationships that they have with staff, who listen to them. Two children have left the home since the last inspection, and two children who are brother and sister have moved into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm, comfortable and well maintained, with children’s bedrooms reflecting children’s individual personalities and interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in their education. Two of the children living in the home are siblings and previously shared their concerns with staff about their school and why they were unhappy there. After advocating with relevant professionals, staff researched and sourced a new school for the children in the local area. Staff arranged a swift transition to the new school and the children did not miss any education as a result. The initial feedback from the school is that the children are settling well into school and are doing well. Staff have clear expectations of children with regard to their education and ensure that they are prepared for their school day. Children have aspirations for their futures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work sensitively and proactively with children to help them maintain relationships with those who are important to them. One parent spoke of her pleasure in receiving a ‘Happy Christmas’ text from her children and of her gratitude to staff for helping the children with this. When children are experiencing difficulties with family relationships, staff approach these issues with sensitivity, offering support and guidance but allowing children to make decisions that feel right for them at that time. As a result, relationships are often repaired swiftly, providing additional support networks for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child encountered bullying behaviours by another child who has now moved on from the home. Although this negatively affected his behaviour at the time, he has since settled and is now happier at the home. His social worker reported that although this was a difficult time for the child, staff did their best at the time to keep him safe. They said that this period of time helped to strengthen his relationships with staff, as he saw how important his safety and well-being were to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are enjoying good health. When necessary, staff liaise with relevant professionals to ensure that children receive the support that they need for both their physical and mental health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s wishes and feelings are reflected throughout records. Staff ensure that children’s views and wishes are acted on and used to inform the care they receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 4

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

On the whole, risks to the children currently living at the home are low, and children are supported to understand risks in the community and online. Children enjoy spending time at the home and do not go missing from home. There was a period of instability at the home in the summer this year. Although this was managed well, the quality of risk assessments regarding children’s behaviours, and therefore strategies for staff to follow, did not sufficiently direct staff at times of disruption. Risk management plans did not clearly identify the bullying behaviours of children or the impact of this on others. This is something that managers have taken action to address.

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

Staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and take action appropriately. When necessary, staff whistle-blow to safeguard children. These reports are taken seriously, and safeguarding procedures are followed to protect children. The manager is proactive and challenges professionals if they are not providing children with the service or protection that they deserve.

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

A range of ongoing health and safety monitoring systems are in place to ensure that the home is a safe place for children to live in and that staff know how to respond should incidents occur.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager holds a relevant childcare qualification and has a wide range of residential care experience. He has a clear ethos and passion about the importance of good-quality childcare. This is shared and promoted with the staff team, and the manager has created a culture of providing good-quality childcare. Consequently, external professionals are positive about the quality of care provided to children. One professional said, ‘The home is a fabulous place. I just wish more homes were like this!’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The relationship between the manager and deputy is proactive and successful. Between them, they have developed a range of quality assurance systems to monitor standards at the home and promote a consistent approach for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from good-quality bespoke training to ensure that they have the necessary skills to meet the needs of children. Team meetings are used to provide an opportunity for staff to reflect on any concerns that they may have about the children. Staff also share any successes with the team to promote a consistent approach for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 5

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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, The 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 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that children’s risk management plans clearly identify known risks, including from other children living in the home. 28 March 2025

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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: 2567272 6

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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 to 42 Kemble Street, Prescot L34 5SQ

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Inspectors

Julia Toller, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2567272 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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