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

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

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2020.

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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: 15 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: 2591400 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/11/2023 Full Good 06/12/2022 Full Good 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

Since the last inspection, four children have moved out of the home. One child returned home to the care of their parents, one child moved into semi-independent accommodation, and two children moved to placements more suitable for their needs. Two children have been welcomed into the home and have both settled in well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience care that is tailored to their specific needs and vulnerabilities. Children feel listened to, and staff respond to their worries with empathy and compassion. This helps children to build relationships and develop a sense of belonging and self-worth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive education based on their individual needs and abilities. Staff work in partnership with education departments and other relevant professionals to make sure that children have every opportunity to increase their academic ability and reach their full potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have clear health plans and are registered with the relevant primary healthcare services. Staff receive guidance from relevant professionals to support their work with individual children and to implement agreed strategies and support. This provides continuity for each child. Medication is stored safely, and records are maintained in relation to the administration of medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are fully involved in day-to-day decisions in the home. They contribute their views through regular meetings and one-to-one key-work sessions with staff. Appropriate requests are responded to, which enhances children’s sense of ownership and being listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped and supported with transition plans. One child will be moving on from the home in the coming months. The manager has arranged planning meetings with the placing authority to ensure that the move progresses smoothly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff help children to rebuild relationships with their families. This enables children to maintain a sense of belonging and develop their support networks for the future.

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

Children live in a safe environment. The appropriate staffing ratio ensures that children receive the necessary supervision and support. Safeguarding practice is good. Staff have received safeguarding training, and they know how to raise safeguarding concerns. Inspection report for children’s home: 2591400 4 Staff carry out risk assessments for each child, and these are kept up to date through regular reviews. As a result, staff remain alert to any emerging risks as children’s circumstances change.

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

Staff follow protocols effectively when children go missing from the home. The manager and staff also respond to any child exploitation risks well. For example, when one child’s incidents and vulnerabilities increased, they followed the child’s protocols, worked well with professionals and took decisive action to keep the child safe. Strategy meetings and return home interviews took place. These actions reassure children that staff and leaders care about their safety and well-being.

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

Staff use de-escalation techniques and only use physical restraint as a last resort. There is good evaluation of incidents, along with reflective work with children and staff that is overseen by the manager.

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

Children engage in key-work sessions with staff. These sessions support children to think about important issues, including internet safety and going missing from care. This supports children’s safety.

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

Children live in a physically safe environment. There are measures in place to ensure that the home is free of hazards. Regular fire drills are carried out to ensure that children know what they need to do in the event of an emergency.

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

One staff member was found to be working in the home without full and verified employment checks. This related to the staff member working in the home without verified references. This does not adhere to safer recruitment procedures and does not help to ensure that suitable staff are employed to care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced manager who is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and committed to the children and team. He has good relationships with the children and is always available to them. He understands the children well, which helps him and the team to support children to make progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about working at the home. The manager is well regarded and is nurturing towards the team, which creates an environment where staff feel well supported. There is effective support and challenge, and the manager ensures that all actions are reviewed. This means that poor practice is addressed effectively and that good practice is promoted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although there have been some recent changes in the composition of the staff team, a core group of staff remain who have continued to provide continuity of care. New staff are familiarised with their role and develop the required skills and competencies through induction processes and training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Training records show that staff benefit from a diverse range of appropriate training Inspection report for children’s home: 2591400 5 to develop their knowledge, skills and professional practice. This means that staff are well trained to meet children’s individual needs. Most staff hold a level 3 diploma in residential childcare, and other members of staff are working towards their qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have formed positive relationships with a range of agencies, including the police, teachers and social workers. This collaborative approach ensures that children’s diverse needs are fully met. 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, 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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that employment references are verified. 17 February 2024

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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: Hobart House, Oakwater Avenue, Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle SK8 3SR

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Inspectors

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2591400 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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