Children's home run by Omega Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2780216 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

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for two children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two 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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2780216 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they are happy living in the home. They are helped to develop positive and trusting relationships with staff through the nurturing care they receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s time with their family and friends is supported in line with their plans. Families and friends are welcomed into the home. Staff work hard to build relationships to promote and maintain positive and safe family time. One parent said, ‘The home are amazing, I could not ask for a better place.’ Maintaining family connections means that children have support outside of the home and a strong sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s education. One child is not currently attending a formal education setting. The manager has appropriately escalated concerns about the child’s lack of educational provision to their placing authority. When the child is not receiving formal education, they have an education planner to support them and staff to understand what educational activities should be completed. This ensures that children are supported to achieve their education goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to pursue their hobbies and interests. One child has recently been supported to adopt a horse. These activities help children to develop essential social skills and build their self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are registered with relevant health services and now regularly attend appointments. However, the manager has not ensured that one child’s prescribed medication is regularly reviewed or that there is a clear plan in place if they decline to take their medication. Therefore, the child’s health needs are not clearly understood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes are clearly explored with children and they have access to cessation services. However, opportunities to ensure that staff provide consistent messages about the use of e-cigarettes in the home have been missed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is large and well furnished. There are photos and certificates of achievement displayed in communal areas of the home. The children’s memorable times and achievements are celebrated. This helps children to feel valued and to take pride in their achievements.

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

Staff in the home demonstrate a proactive approach to safeguarding. Staff are vigilant and take appropriate action when they have concerns about a child’s safety. Safeguarding incidents are dealt with effectively by managers. Inspection report for children’s home: 2780216 3 Children’s risk plans are clear and detailed. However, plans for when the children get up during the night are not actively assessed and arrangements are not in place to protect them.

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

Staff help children to understand the risks they may be exposed to online and in the community. Staff have carried out key-work sessions with children, including on healthy relationships, exploitation and substance misuse.

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

When children are away from the home without permission, staff work successfully to return them home as soon as possible. The staff work closely with the child’s placing authority and parent. Risk plans provide guidance to staff around how to respond if children go missing.

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

Staff and managers responded appropriately when an allegation was made. Concerns were shared appropriately with relevant safeguarding professionals. Staff work in partnership with external professional and specialist services to safeguard the children. One social worker said, ‘From day one, the home has gone above and beyond.’

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

The staff in the home are all suitably qualified to meet the needs of the children. There is a strong learning culture in the home. Therefore, staff have the specific skills and knowledge to keep children safe in their care.

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

The recruitment of staff is thorough and the manager ensures that all necessary background checks are undertaken. This means that the adults caring for the children are safe to do so.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is caring, enthusiastic and child centred. She also manages another home nearby. The manager is supported by a deputy manager. Together, they have clear oversight of the day-to-day running of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers ensure that staff receive an appropriate induction and regular supervisions. Staff speak highly of the manager and feel they are appreciated for their work, contributing to excellent staff retention.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and have a focus, providing opportunities for staff to reflect on the children’s needs and make future plans. This improves consistency in staff’s practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leader and managers have effective internal and external monitoring systems in place. This ensures that there is continuous improvement in the care provided by the team. Consequently, the registered manager is able to identify opportunities to further develop the service. Inspection report for children’s home: 2780216 4

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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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children’s plans are clear on what to do when medication has been refused. In addition, ongoing work should be undertaken with children to help them understand their health and the effects of the use of e-cigarettes. 9 April 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2780216 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them, specifically during the night. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home’s Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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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: 2780216 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: 40-42 Kemble Street, Prescot L34 5SQ

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Inspector

Michelle Snape, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2780216 7 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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