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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2744065 1 Registered provider: O’Connell Care Group

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Full inspection 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.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She registered with Ofsted in August 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 good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 7 and 8 May 2025, a full inspection of the home identified significant shortfalls in the leadership and management, and safeguarding practice. The home was judged as inadequate. 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. Inspection report for children’s home: 2744065 2 On 22 July 2025, a monitoring visit was carried out at the home to assess the provider’s adherence to the restriction of accommodation notice and the progress made by managers in meeting the steps in the compliance notices.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

The steps in the compliance notices for regulations 12 and 13 were met. The steps in the compliance notice for regulation 14 were not met. The compliance notice and the restriction of accommodation notice were reissued. Inspection report for children’s home: 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: 2744065 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has lived at the home for 16 months, and they contributed to this inspection. They were seen to share warm relationships with staff and appeared relaxed and chatty in their company. No children have moved in or out of the home for over six months. This has supported the child’s sense of security and provides stability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s experiences are positive. They are making steady progress as they prepare to move on from the home in line with their plan. Independence is well supported; the child manages their own budget, cooks their own meals, does their own laundry, and has begun food shopping. As a result, the child is developing important life skills in readiness for semi-independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is valued and promoted. Staff have supported the child to overcome barriers to learning, and they encourage academic achievement. The child is excited to start college and pursue a qualification in hairdressing and beauty.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are listened to and acted on. For example, when the child expressed dislike for the purple sofas in the lounge, the manager responded by adding cushions and throws. The child said this made the lounge feel more homely, showing that their views are valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Positive relationships are encouraged. The child spends lots of time with people who are important to them, which supports their emotional well-being and sense of identity. The child’s friend stays at the home for sleepovers, and the child spends time away from the home with their friends. As a result, the child is growing in confidence and has developed a wider social circle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is clean, bright and welcoming. Its rural location offers privacy and space, with a large garden. Personal touches, such as photographs and fresh flowers, help to create a homely feel. The child’s bedroom is personalised and reflects their tastes, supporting a sense of belonging.

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

Children’s safety is prioritised. Staff understand the risks that the child faces, and clear plans help them to provide safe care. Consequently, children are safeguarded from harm.

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

The child’s safety has improved over the past six months, with no missing-from-home incidents occurring. The child attributed this to staff listening to them and responding to their needs. The child said, ‘They started talking to me, listening to me, and letting me stay overnight at my friends, so I didn’t have to go missing.’ This reflects a child-centred Inspection report for children’s home: 2744065 5 approach. Staff adapted their practice to support the child’s autonomy, resulting in them feeling safer, more settled and heard.

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

Incidents at the home are rare, which reflects an increased awareness of the child’s emotional triggers. When the child becomes upset or frustrated, staff respond with reassurance and are implementing boundaries more consistently. This attuned approach helps the child feel more secure.

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

The child is supported to keep themselves safe through regular important discussions. Staff approach the discussions with genuine curiosity and sensitivity, creating a safe and supportive space for emotional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is described by staff as ‘inspirational’. She has high aspirations for children and is committed to improving the quality and safety of their care. In a short space of time, she has worked hard to drive changes, contributing to a more stable and child- focused environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leadership of the home is good. The manager has a clear vision for the home and has an excellent understanding of the home’s strengths and development areas. Clear plans support continual improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s approach to care planning and new admissions is strengthened. While not yet tested in practice, the manager is confident that the new policies and procedures in place will help to make sure the needs of new children will be met. Children already living in the home will be asked for their views, and new children will be supported to understand what life in the home will be like through an electronic app. This creative and innovative approach aims to reduce any anxieties they may have so they feel confident and prepared to move in.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have good oversight of the home. A range of monitoring tools and regular audits support this. In addition, the child’s ‘Journey Chronology’ tracks the child’s progress and experiences, which helps leaders to understand and respond to the child’s changing needs effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is aware of the need to strengthen the quality of care review process. The most recent review did not include the views of children about their experiences. This omission represents a missed opportunity to ensure children’s voices are central to shaping the home’s improvement journey.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training and development remain a top priority. There is continued focus on reflection and learning to help staff continually improve their practice to benefit children. The manager regularly checks that staff knowledge is being embedded. The introduction of a reflective learning diary is also helping staff reflect and take more accountability for their practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2744065 6 Leaders have positive relationships with external professionals, which helps support the child’s progress. The child’s social worker said, ‘The manager is responsive. Communication is good; she keeps me updated.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The steps in the compliance notice for regulation 14 are met and the restriction of accommodation notice is lifted. No requirements have been made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2744065 7

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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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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the Regulation 45 review includes feedback and opinions of the children about the home, its facilities and the quality of the care they receive. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.2) Inspection report for children’s home: 2744065 8

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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: 2744065 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: O’Connell Care Group

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Inspector

Amy Richards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2744065 10 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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