Children's Home run by Oaktree Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2766766 1 Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Ltd 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 company. It provides care for one child who may have learning difficulties or experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 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: 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: 2766766 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A kind and nurturing staff team has supported the child currently living in the home in making positive progress. The child was encouraged to visit the home and spend time getting to know the staff, who thoughtfully welcomed them. The child said, ‘Out of all the places I have been, this is the best home I have lived in.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys trusting relationships with staff who know them well. Staff offer caring and supportive care to the child, who is comfortable spending time with them. Staff speak about the child with care and affection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child in spending time with people who are important to them. Staff promote time with the child’s family and ensure that they can visit their hometown. This supports the child’s sense of belonging and identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is encouraged to maintain good physical and emotional health, and staff ensure that their health needs are met. Staff support the child in attending routine health appointments and accessing appropriate health services. Staff encourage the child to develop healthy habits that they can maintain once they leave the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is encouraged and supported to develop interests and hobbies outside of the home in line with their wishes and career goals. The child has clear routines and expectations in place that are realistic and aspirational.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When barriers to attending education are identified, the registered manager works effectively with external agencies to find a solution that works best for the child. As a result, the child is now attending a suitable education provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the child moved into the home, the risks they present have significantly reduced. Staff have updated the child’s risk assessment and independence plan accordingly to reflect these changes. The registered manager has also sought approval from the local authority to implement the change in plan. However, when delays in obtaining approval have prevented the child from gaining more independence, the registered manager has not challenged and then escalated this with the local authority.

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

The child’s needs are well known and understood by staff. Plans are clear and detailed and have guidance for staff to follow. The child is consistently supported and encouraged to express their views and wishes about the care they receive.

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

Risk assessments are detailed and updated to accurately reflect any new or emerging risks. Assessments provide clear strategies for staff to use to help them manage and Inspection report for children’s home: 2766766 3 reduce risks, and they help the child understand how to stay safe and make positive choices.

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

There has only been one incident of the child going missing from the home. On this occasion, staff immediately followed the child’s missing-from-home assessment and supported the child’s safe return. Records of the incident are detailed and include staff and manager reflections around what worked well. Staff carried out direct work with the child to understand their experiences and used this information to help prevent further missing-from-home incidents from occurring.

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

There has been one incident requiring physical intervention, which is only used as a last resort. The registered manager quickly identified any areas for improvement in staff practice during this incident and promptly addressed them with the staff team. The child was encouraged to express their views and learn how to manage conflicts more positively with others.

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

Consequences are rarely used, and they are proportionate. Staff always seek the child's views and help them understand the reasons for any consequences imposed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She knows the child very well and is aspirational about their future. She leads by example to create a nurturing and safe environment for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they enjoy working in the home and feel well supported by the registered manager. Staff development is a priority for the registered manager, who builds on their skills as a team to promote best practices and maintain consistency. Staff say that they have many opportunities to discuss and reflect on their care of the child during regular team meetings and supervision sessions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a wide range of training to meet the child’s individual needs. The registered manager is proactive in sourcing relevant training and encourages staff to regularly access training to develop their knowledge and understanding of the child’s needs and identified risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is visible in the home and has systems in place to review and monitor practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager advocates on behalf of the child and quickly identifies any barriers that may hinder the child’s progress. However, the registered manager could be more challenging of the local authority and escalate issues more rapidly beyond the local authority social worker to ensure that the child has access to the same opportunities as their peers. Inspection report for children’s home: 2766766 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they challenge the local authority when necessary to promote the child’s independence in line with their age and understanding. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8)

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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: 2766766 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ground Floor, Seneca House, Links Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 2FF

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Inspector

Justina Henry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2766766 6 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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