Children's home run by Esland North Limited in Preston

Inspection report for children’s home: SC480161 1 Registered provider: Oasis Adolescent Services Limited 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 provider. The home provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025.

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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 outstanding

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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: 18 September 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1258975 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/09/2024 Full Good 14/02/2024 Full Good 88/03/2023 Full Good 18/01/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 1258975 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive nurturing care and support, which contributes to them feeling secure and enables them to make good progress. Staff have high aspirations for all children and work with children in a supportive manner to help them achieve positive outcomes. Children say that they regard the home as their home, and they have a real voice in their individual care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Individual care plans reflect the current and ongoing needs of the children and the measures in place to support them. The registered manager is currently reviewing all care plans and is developing a bespoke child friendly care plan to enable children to contribute further to their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise and understand the importance of education for each child and provide appropriate challenge to support children to access appropriate education which meets their needs. One social worker said, ‘Staff have advocated exceptionally well for [Name], and as a result, [Name] has made significant progress in all areas, and particularly with their education.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical and emotional health care is supported and promoted well. They access community-based medical facilities as required, and staff speak with them and encourage them to lead healthy lifestyles. Children access a range of activities, which further supports them to engage in good physical health, including mixed martial arts, football, swimming and bike rides.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Clear arrangements are in place and supported for young people to spend time with family and friends. One parent said, ‘Staff support family time really well. They are courteous and respectful, and they have an excellent relationship with my child. I have seen the huge progress [Name] has made during their time living at the home. I cannot speak highly enough of the support that they give.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has recently undergone major refurbishment and redecoration. The children have been consulted with regard to their choice for their bedrooms and the communal areas of the home. One child said, ‘It’s really comfortable here. I think it feels like my home.’

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

Individual risk assessments are in place which identify risks and the measures to be put in place to help to reduce these. Staff speak with children in relation to risks and the actions that they can take to further support their own safety and well-being. The recently appointed registered manager has further reviewed risk management plans to make them more accessible and user friendly for staff.

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

Since the last inspection, there has been one incident of a child going missing. Records are in place in relation to this. Children are supported to have independent Inspection report for children’s home: 1258975 4 return home interviews to enable them to share any worries or concerns in relation to the reason for their incident of going missing from the home. However, there is a shortfall in the recording of the procedures followed. The registered manager has already identified this and has planned further training and discussion to be held in the next staff meeting to support staff knowledge and understanding of the missing- from-home protocol and procedure.

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

Children understand how to raise a concern or complaint. When this happens, the registered manager ensures that the child is listened to, and their complaint addressed. Staff work in partnership with other agencies tasked with safeguarding, making sure appropriate referrals are made. This independent oversight further supports children to feel safe.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted and encouraged. All staff have undertaken training in relation to supporting children’s behaviour. Appropriate de-escalation techniques are also used to diffuse situations and to prevent further risk of harm to the child or others. There has been one incident of physical intervention, which was recorded clearly and reviewed by the registered manager.

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

Children say that they feel safe and well-cared for. One child said, ‘I am very happy here and don’t get as upset or angry as I used to do. Staff spend time with me explaining things, and this has helped me to understand how to manage my feelings better and not get so upset or angry.’

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

Staff make sure that children receive encouragement and praise, recognising individual achievements. This contributes to children feeling valued and cared for. Consequences for negative behaviour are minimal and enable children to reflect and learn from negative behaviour.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Since the last inspection, there has been a change of registered manager, with the new manager being in post since May 2025. She manages this home and another home run by the organisation. She has a background of working with children in residential care and demonstrates an excellent understanding of her role and responsibility as a registered manager. She has a clear vision for the home and supports children to achieve their full potential. She is supported by a deputy manager, who shares the vision for the ongoing development of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Recent changes in the home have included the full refurbishment of the home to make it warm, welcoming and safe for the children. In addition, the registered manager has reviewed children’s documentation and ensured that risk assessments have been fully updated to reflect the measures to take to safeguard children. She has commenced the review of care plans to further underpin each child’s unique care needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There have been some changes within the staff team since the last inspection. The registered manager recognises the impact that this may have for the children and Inspection report for children’s home: 1258975 5 staff and has provided excellent support to help them to manage change. Children confirm that they feel happy, settled and comfortable with the changes made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular formal supervision, which enables them to reflect on their practice and provides them with ongoing support to further develop their skills and practice. The registered manager has introduced a more comprehensive supervision format which provides staff with clear aims and objectives in relation to development of their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings further underpin the staff knowledge and practice, with additional research and informal training provided to support them within their role. Additional guidance and training are provided by an external therapist, who supports staff to recognise and understand children’s previous life experience and how these impact on them. Staff value and appreciate this support, which further contributes them to care for children with compassion and sensitivity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

External professionals speak extremely positively about the effective multi-agency working, which is promoted through regular and effective communication between the home and other professionals. They say that care provided has contributed to the ongoing development and positive outcomes for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager ensures that robust monitoring systems are in place and makes use of external monitoring systems to help to further develop the service. Where shortfalls are identified, these are addressed in a timely manner to further promote the safety and well-being of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Recruitment and selection of staff is in accordance with safer recruitment practice to ensure that the organisation has taken appropriate steps to safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has introduced additional information and research-based practice to further enhance the skills of the staff team and to ensure that their practice remains current.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No shortfalls were raised during this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1258975 6

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 1258975 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oasis Adolescent Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hobart House, Oakwater Avenue, Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle SK8 3SR

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Inspector

Sarah Oldham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1258975 8 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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