Children's Home run by Oak Childcare Plus Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for children’s home: 2674059 1 Registered provider: Oak Childcare Plus Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in February 2023. It provides care for up to three children who have been affected by adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and complex behaviours. The home is privately owned and forms part of a small social care organisation that offers care and support.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 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 requires improvement to be good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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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: 2674059 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/08/2024 Full Good 05/09/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2674059 3

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improvement to be good

Three children currently live in the home. All were seen and spoken to during the inspection.

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improvement to be good

Children have made some progress since the last inspection. However, weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements and management oversight continue to impact on the quality of care. These shortfalls have had a negative effect on children’s overall experiences of living in the home.

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improvement to be good

Children expressed mixed views about the care they receive. All were able to identify staff members they trust and feel supported by. However, managers and staff do not consistently take appropriate action in response to concerns raised by children. This undermines some children’s confidence in the complaints process and affects the quality of their relationships with staff.

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improvement to be good

The condition of the home requires improvement. The environment feels dark and cold, with areas that are poorly decorated and carpets that are worn throughout. Children’s bedrooms are not adequately furnished, and there is insufficient storage for their belongings. Staff do not provide consistent support to help children maintain clean and tidy personal spaces. In response to behavioural challenges, staff have locked windows and doors, restricting children’s freedom of movement. This practice is not in keeping with the home’s stated ethos and does not promote a nurturing or homely environment.

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improvement to be good

Staff are proactive in supporting children’s education. They work closely with education providers to ensure that arrangements meet individual needs. When children face challenges, staff advocate on their behalf to ensure continued access to learning. For children with bespoke education plans, staff use creative approaches to support home learning. All children are enrolled in formal education and have made some progress.

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improvement to be good

Children’s health needs are well understood and met. They are supported to attend health appointments, and staff seek advice from relevant professionals when necessary. Medication is stored securely, and medication administration is recorded accurately. This effective system has ensured that there have been no medication errors.

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improvement to be good

Staff support children to maintain relationships with their families, even when this involves travelling long distances. One parent praised the staff’s flexible approach in facilitating family activities. Children also enjoy spending time with friends in the community, which helps them to build social connections and develop independence in managing their free time. Inspection report for children’s home: 2674059 4 Equality, diversity and inclusion are promoted within the home. Children are encouraged to express their identities and to respect each other’s differences. They regularly participate in activities of their choice, such as cheerleading, horse riding and gymnastics. Staff respond to changing interests by sourcing local clubs, which supports children’s self-expression and builds their confidence.

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improvement to be good

Gaps in safeguarding practice have compromised children’s safety and welfare. Although physical interventions have been minimal since the last inspection and are generally used as a last resort, in one incident, staff failed to intervene promptly. As a result, the child was not safeguarded appropriately and was placed at risk of significant harm.

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improvement to be good

Incident reports are inconsistently recorded and often lack essential detail. Staff’s responses are not always therapeutic and, in some cases, include stigmatising language. When children raise concerns, staff do not consistently demonstrate professional curiosity, resulting in poor responses to allegations. These practices can negatively affect children’s self-esteem and contribute to a reluctance to seek help.

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improvement to be good

Risk assessments are not consistently followed, placing children at continued risk of harm. Following an incident of self-injurious behaviour, staff did not conduct a room search or remove items used to inflict injury. Furthermore, staff’s responses during such incidents lack compassion and reassurance. These missed opportunities to connect with children and provide emotional support hinder the development of trusting relationships.

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improvement to be good

Boundaries are not always clearly communicated to children, and restrictions are not reviewed in a timely manner. For example, a mobile phone plan was not adhered to or updated following a safeguarding concern. Consequences imposed by staff are sometimes punitive and disproportionate to the behaviour, which risks negatively impacting children’s emotional well-being.

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improvement to be good

Despite these shortfalls, one child told the inspector that they feel safe living in the home. At times, staff use their knowledge of children’s interests to offer comfort and reassurance. Staff also employ creative approaches to engage children in discussions about sensitive topics, using these opportunities to enhance their understanding of associated risks and strategies to reduce them.

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improvement to be good

Collaborative working with external agencies has contributed to a reduction in incidents of children going missing from the home. Children have individualised free- time plans that reflect their needs and are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain relevant and effective. Inspection report for children’s home: 2674059 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager is suitably qualified and demonstrates a commitment to improving outcomes for children. Their calm and patient approach is well received by the children, and they spend time together regularly. The manager recognises the importance of positive reinforcement and has introduced praise books to promote self-esteem. Children enjoy reading these books, which provide them with a sense of fulfilment and joy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

However, the manager does not consistently demonstrate the authority or confidence required to challenge poor staff practice. As a result, concerns are not sufficiently addressed, and children are not always treated fairly or respectfully. Staff supervision is inconsistent and lacks a focus on practice development, limiting opportunities for staff to reflect on incidents and improve their responses.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Monitoring and review systems are ineffective and have failed to identify and address key shortfalls. Paper-based records are disorganised, making it difficult to locate important documents. Managers report that steps are being taken to implement an electronic recording system to improve organisation and oversight. They also acknowledge the areas for improvement identified during the inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Despite these weaknesses, the manager and staff have developed positive working relationships with a range of external agencies. Feedback from professionals highlights effective partnership working and advocacy for children. Parents report that the manager maintains regular communication, which helps them feel involved and informed about any changes or developments. Inspection report for children’s home: 2674059 6

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the planned redecoration of the home is carried out and staff help children to keep their bedrooms clean and tidy. 29 September

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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 the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b)) 29 September Inspection report for children’s home: 2674059 7 This specifically refers to ensuring that records of incidents are clear, detailed and demonstrate management oversight that includes challenging poor practice, reflection and learning.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to ensuring that effective quality assurance and monitoring systems are in place, used regularly and recorded. 29 September

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Requirement Due date

No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child.

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Requirement Due date

The following measures may not be used to discipline any child—

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Requirement Due date

any punishment involving the consumption or deprivation of food or drink;

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Requirement Due date

any restriction, other than one imposed by a court or in accordance with regulation 22 (contact and access to communications), on—

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Requirement Due date

a child’s contact with parents, relatives or friends;

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Requirement Due date

visits to the child by the child’s parents, relatives or friends;

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Requirement Due date

a child’s communications with any persons listed in regulation 22(1) (contact and access to communications); or 29 September Inspection report for children’s home: 2674059 8 a child’s access to any internet-based or telephone helpline providing counselling for children;

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Requirement Due date

the use or withholding of medication, or medical or dental treatment;

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Requirement Due date

imposing a financial penalty, other than a requirement for the payment of a reasonable sum (which may be by instalments) by way of reparation;

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Requirement Due date

withholding any aids or equipment needed by a disabled child;

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Requirement Due date

any measure involving a child imposing any measure against another child; or

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any measure involving punishing a group of children for the behaviour of an individual child. (Regulation 19 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff using consequences that are proportionate and not excessive.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that —

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Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home; is necessary and proportionate;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to children’s bedroom doors and windows not being locked by staff. 29 September Inspection report for children’s home: 2674059 9 The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that staff have regular supervision reviewing their performance and practice, with appropriate challenge of poor practice where necessary. 29 September

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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: 2674059 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oak Childcare Plus Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 3, Oak House, Kingswood Business Park, Holyhead Road, Albrighton WV7 3AU

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Inspector

Latoya Morgan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2674059 11 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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