Children's Home run by Care Acre Limited in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2663781 1 Registered provider: Care Acre Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to three children. The statement of purpose states that the function of the home is to provide 24-hour individualised care and support for children aged between 10 and 17 years who experience social and emotional difficulties because of early-life trauma, complex or challenging behaviour, neglect and/or family breakdown or disruption.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager in the home since 31 December 2024.

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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 January 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

At the last full inspection, inspectors identified significant concerns in relation to how children are kept safe and a lack of effective and transparent oversight by leaders. As a result, a notice restricting accommodation was issued. This means that no new children can be admitted to the home while this notice is in place. Inspection report for children’s home: 2663781 2 On 27 February 2025, an assurance inspection took place. During this inspection, the inspector found that leaders had complied with the notice restricting accommodation and had met regulations 12 and 13. Inspection report for children’s home: 2663781 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/01/2025 Full Inadequate 26/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/09/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2663781 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home continues to make steady progress in creating a more welcoming and homely environment for children. The lounge has been redesigned to promote comfort and relaxation, and there are plans to combine the staff offices into one area, allowing more communal space for children’s use. In response to children’s feedback, the outdoor pod is being transformed into a sensory room. Improvements in children’s bedrooms have also been noted, with cleaner and more personalised spaces.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care planning for children has improved. This is now thorough and child focused, with clear aims around building independence, developing life skills, and preparing for adulthood. Children are making meaningful progress in areas such as money and medication management, healthy relationships and increasing confidence in personal safety. The use of tools like the newly developed independence passport and online training supports this development in an engaging and accessible way, helping children to take an active role in their progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s voices are consistently reflected across care planning and daily practice. Regular engagement with the external clinical psychologist provides children with further opportunities to express themselves and receive targeted support. The psychologist contributes to staff development and direct work with children, helping to deepen understanding of emotional needs. Activities such as the ‘brick wall task’ have enabled reflective conversations that support children’s emotional growth and resilience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are monitored and managed effectively. Staff support them in attending routine health appointments, and preventative health measures, such as immunisations and sexual health screenings, are in place. Staff provide consistent support with follow-up care when needed and ensure that all appointments are clearly recorded. Improvements have been noted in areas such as sleep routines and engagement with mental health services, reflecting positive developments in children’s overall well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is tailored to children’s individual needs through a balanced mix of formal and informal learning opportunities. Where permanent school placements are still being arranged, alternative provisions offer structure and continuity. One child continues to attend college regularly, demonstrating a strong and consistent commitment to their education. Staff recognise the importance of education in promoting long-term outcomes and personal development, and they work proactively to support each child’s engagement, progress, and confidence in their learning journey.

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

Staff respond promptly and effectively to children’s needs, following the strategies outlined in their support plans. The involvement of the responsible individual, along with Inspection report for children’s home: 2663781 5 collaboration with multi-agency partners, ensures that children’s needs are met across various aspects of their social and emotional development.

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

Children’s care plans recognise their capacity to engage in certain activities, and tailored strategies have been developed to mitigate associated risks. Staff work closely with children to ensure that these strategies are appropriate and address specific concerns. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed to reflect emerging risks, allowing for timely adjustments that keep children safe and supported.

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

The manager maintains a detailed chronology of incidents and actions taken, ensuring that decisions are informed by discussions with children, network meetings and statutory reviews. Updates to care plans incorporate children’s views, ensuring that the plans remain child centred and responsive to their needs.

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

Staff follow protocols for one child who has occasionally left the home without staff support. Prompt action is taken when needed, with on-call arrangements used effectively. Managers ensure that return home interviews are requested and followed up with the child’s allocated social worker.

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

Risk assessments are consistently updated to reflect new concerns, with children actively involved in the process. For example, when the ‘time on your own’ protocol was paused, the child played a role in revising the risk assessment, and a discussion was held to explain the reasoning. The focus of this discussion was on rebuilding trust and supporting the child’s progress towards greater independence.

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

Risk assessments are agreed upon with the child’s allocated social worker, ensuring a balance between age-appropriate freedoms and safeguards, particularly regarding digital well-being and social media use. Staff also provide training on online safety, mobile phone expectations, and healthy sleep habits, empowering children to make safer, healthier choices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The newly appointed manager and responsible individual have made significant efforts to meet the standards from the last full inspection. Combined with the dedication of the staff, this has led to substantial improvements in the children’s overall health, well-being, and safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been appropriately recruited. She has applied to register with Ofsted and is awaiting her interview. She has enrolled in the relevant qualifications and demonstrates a clear understanding of the required time frames for completion.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager feels well supported and receives regular supervision. She has a clear grasp of staff performance and tracks progress against the development plan. Initiatives such as rearranging the children’s spaces, planting flowers, and installing new lighting reflect the children’s views and wishes. These positive changes are enhancing the home environment and strengthening relationships between staff and children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2663781 6 To further improve the quality of care, the manager introduced monthly progress reports for children, prepared by key workers and shared with allocated social workers. These reports focus on the care provided, highlighting progress and achievements with an emphasis on continuous development and support. Key priorities include fostering independence and improving relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager also introduced a monthly audit tool with a colour-coded system to track progress on identified actions. This tool incorporates actions from previous months and integrates findings from other monitoring systems, enhancing oversight and driving continuous improvements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision sessions are carried out in a timely manner, focusing on staff well-being and professional development, ensuring a supportive environment. Additionally, staff are appropriately trained to meet the children’s needs, further contributing to the home’s positive progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are compliant with the notice restricting accommodation that will end on 14 April 2025. All requirements raised at the previous inspection have been met. No new requirements or recommendations have been identified. Inspection report for children’s home: 2663781 7

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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: 2663781 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 36 Magdalen Road, Oxford OX4 1RB

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Inspector

Kelly Monniot, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2663781 9 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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