Children's home run by Omega Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2732923 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 provider and provides care for one child who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager were registered with Ofsted on 3 May 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 4 December 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2732923 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/12/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2732923 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child is making exceptional and sustained progress in all areas of their life. Their progress is underpinned by the strong bonds and trusting relationships that they have been supported to develop with the staff team. The home is filled with laughter and the child says, ‘The staff make this house a home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff provide an excellent level of support to the child to ensure that their health needs are met. When the child was extremely worried about attending medical appointments, staff worked sensitively and flexibly to address the barriers the child experienced. As a result, the child’s health outcomes have significantly improved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff establish clear expectations for the child and ensure that they provide consistent responses. The child’s parent says that their child feels ‘loved and safe in the home, and knows how to respect the staff’. This means the child is developing essential social skills in a safe and nurturing environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff go above and beyond to support the child to try new activities. One member of staff committed themselves to teaching the child how to swim, with great success. Other activities the child takes part in include visits to theme parks and the local animal shelter. Memories are captured for the child in photo books that the child treasures and is extremely proud of. As a result, the child is growing in self-confidence as well as experiencing benefits to their physical and mental health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child attends full-time education. When they struggle to attend school, staff play a crucial role in exploring the barriers the child may be experiencing. The staff’s understanding of the child means they can suggest new and effective strategies. Consequently, education is playing a crucial role in the child’s development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff consistently support the child to develop the skills they need to become more independent. They creatively seek out opportunities to support the child to accomplish household tasks, such as using a drill and cooking healthy meals. This means the child is developing essential life skills as well as a sense of belonging in the home.

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

Before moving into the home, the child’s risks relating to self-harm were extremely high. Staff understand the balance of responding to incidents of self-harm carefully and with professional curiosity. Their confident approach means the child’s incidents of self-harm have reduced significantly over a sustained period of time.

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

Staff are highly attuned to the child’s needs. They have an exceptional understanding of how the child’s feelings and experiences underpin their behaviours. They respond with calmness and warmth when the child is upset. The child says they can speak to any of Inspection report for children’s home: 2732923 4 the staff when they are upset and can trust them. Consequently, the child is learning to explore their emotions and talk about their feelings safely.

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

Staff understand the importance of talking to the child about their vulnerabilities. They draw on the expertise and resources of external professionals to ensure that they have the tools and skills to speak to the child about specific risks. Staff know how to talk with the child to ensure that conversations have the maximum impact. As a result, the child is learning skills to keep themselves physically and emotionally safe.

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

The child’s risk plans are extremely effective and child focused. The child is involved in writing their plans and talks to staff about what works for them. For example, the child has a key phrase they use when feeling upset, and staff have clear guidance in how to support them. This means that staff tailor their responses to the needs of the child.

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

Managers are diligent in ensuring that safer recruitment practices are followed. Thorough checks are completed on all members of staff to ensure that they are safe to be working in the home.

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

Staff have the necessary training and skills they need to carry out their roles. Managers access the services of an in-house trainer when a specific training need is identified. This means that staff skills are constantly updated and staff are able to meet the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is an exceptional advocate for the child. The manager is supported by the deputy manager and together they have established a culture of high support and high ambition for both the child and the staff. They oversee a cohesive staff team, who are motivated to ensure that the child continuously makes excellent progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers ensure that the child’s voice is at the heart of the team’s practice. The child’s records are written with great care, and reflect the respect and consideration shown to the child in staff practice. As a result, the child has a strong sense of autonomy and input into their care planning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers hold regular staff meetings which are focused on improving the care of the child. Any barriers to the child’s progress are discussed with a high level of understanding and a focus on finding solutions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers ensure that the care provided to the child is clearly underpinned by research and evidence-based practice. Staff are encouraged to lead on their own learning, and reflective practice is consistently carried out in staff supervisions. The care of the child is consistently trauma informed and therapeutic.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Monitoring and evaluation systems implemented by managers are highly effective. Managers ensure that areas of development for the service are identified and addressed Inspection report for children’s home: 2732923 5 at the earliest opportunity and worked on by the whole team. Consequently, the care provided to the child is of a consistently high standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection.

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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: 2732923 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

Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2732923 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 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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