Children's Home run by O’Connell Care Group in Worcestershire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2744065 1

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O’Connell Care Group

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. They chose not to speak with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post for seven weeks. She has submitted her application to register with Ofsted. A new responsible individual has been appointed and Ofsted is in the process of reviewing their suitability.

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This monitoring visit

On 7 and 8 May 2025, a full inspection of the home identified significant shortfalls in the leadership and management, and safeguarding practice. As a result, Ofsted imposed a restriction on the admission of new children to the home. Three compliance notices were issued under regulation 12, the protection of children standard, regulation 13, the leadership and management standard, and regulation 14, the care planning standard.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out to assess the provider’s adherence to the restriction of accommodation and the progress made by managers in meeting the steps in the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

Leadership and management arrangements have been strengthened through the appointment of a new manager and a new responsible individual. Staff report that they feel more supported by their new managers.

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This monitoring visit

Monitoring and oversight of children’s care and experiences are strengthened. Leaders have reviewed monitoring systems to ensure that they are more effective in identifying and addressing poor staff practice. Systems are more streamlined, and some new checks are in place. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2744065 2 Staff training and development is prioritised. Staff have completed a variety of training courses to help them meet children’s needs and promote their welfare. In addition, fortnightly learning workshops are taking place with staff. Staff value the workshops, particularly the opportunity for open discussion and reflection, which were not previously happening.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have undertaken additional safeguarding training, supported by reflective practice and safeguarding quizzes to embed their learning. Staff demonstrate an increased confidence in recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns to protect children.

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This monitoring visit

However, prior to this training taking place, a serious incident occurred. The incident was not well managed. The child did not feel listened to during a car journey, and staff were unable to prevent the child’s behaviour escalating. This compromised the safety of the child and the staff. The incident could have been avoided if staff had been more attuned to the child’s needs. This poor staff practice was quickly addressed, and reflective learning took place. No further incidents have occurred, which indicates that the learning has improved practice. Nonetheless, the management of incidents remains an area for continued oversight and development.

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This monitoring visit

The individual risks that the child faces are identified and assessed. Risk assessments contain guidance for staff to follow to keep the child safe. For example, when the child stays overnight at their friend’s house, staff maintain contact with the friend’s parent and complete frequent welfare checks. This arrangement has reduced the risk of the child going missing, which has increased their safety. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of risks and how to manage them.

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This monitoring visit

The approach to care planning and the admission of new children remains a weakness. Current processes and procedures require further development, to ensure that it is the manager who decides if a new child moves in. There is also a lack of consideration of the views of children already living in the home, which could affect dynamics and children’s well-being. The manager has a plan to address this.

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This monitoring visit

The steps in the compliance notices for regulation 12 and regulation 13 are met. The restriction on admissions and the compliance notice under regulation 14 have been reissued.

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This monitoring visit

Other requirements raised at the last inspection were not reviewed and will be considered at the next full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2744065 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/05/2025 Full Inadequate 11/06/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2744065 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

*The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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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

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that before a new child moves into the home, all known risks are thoroughly assessed. This includes assessing how a child will live safely with children already accommodated, taking into account children’s views.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, the skills and abilities of staff must be considered during care planning in order to promote the safety and welfare of children.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 31 August 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; 20 July 2025 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2744065 5 there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must— keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b)) 20 July 2025

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject of a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2744065 6

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Inspector

Amy Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2744065 7 regulates 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 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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