Children's Home run by Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care & Support Limited in Wirral

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 1 Registered provider: Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care & Support Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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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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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 3 September 2024

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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: 2781986 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

A sibling group of three young children live in the home. Staff provide the children with a high level of loving, nurturing and consistent care. They have helped the children to settle into the home and form a sense of belonging and security.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making progress in all areas of their lives. Children regularly attend school and are thriving in education. Staff help children to complete homework and provide them with additional opportunities to learn and develop.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s health needs are promoted. Staff ensure that children attend routine health appointments and maintain a healthy daily routine. The manager advocated for one child to have more regular health reviews to ensure that the child’s specific health needs are fully met.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are provided with a wide range of exciting and fun activities. Regular activities take place that nurture the children’s interests, such as swimming and horse riding. Children have experienced day trips out to several different places, including museums, play centres, the seaside, parks and an indoor skydiving centre.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s achievements are celebrated and recorded. Each child has a colourful online memory book full of photos of shared activities and important life events, which they can take with them and cherish when they move on from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff regularly seek children’s views and respond to any requests promptly. There are clear rules and boundaries in place, and expectations are managed in an age- appropriate way.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is large and spacious. Children’s bedrooms are well furnished and personalised. Communal areas are well maintained and provide comfortable and homely spaces for the children to eat together, relax and play. The home is full of drawings completed by the children and photos of them having fun times.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no safeguarding incidents. However, the manager ensures that there is a strong safeguarding culture in the home. Staff attend training regularly to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. Staff share new research and development information at their monthly team meetings and discuss how it can be used to improve practice in the home for the benefit of the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risk and behaviour management plans are clear and informative. They are reviewed and updated regularly, providing staff with relevant guidance about what to do should any risks arise. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 3 The manager is enthusiastic, caring and child centred. He has high aspirations for the home and instils a culture of learning and development. The manager is committed to providing the children with a high level of care. He is incredibly organised and has excellent oversight of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff benefit from regular supervision sessions with the manager, which are thorough, reflective and child centred.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff enjoy working in the home and feel fully supported by their manager. One staff member said they felt proud to work in the home. The staff team is stable, and it knows the needs and vulnerabilities of the children well. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care & Support Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 3, 125-129 Witton Street, Northwich CW9 5DY

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Inspector

Zillah Brooks, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 6 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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