Children's home run by Mirage Adolescent Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2836278 1 Registered provider: Mirage Adolescent Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates : 4 and 5 November 2025

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2836278 2

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outstanding

Children benefit from highly personalised care and support that reflects their individual needs. The level of care they receive enables them to flourish and thrive. Children consistently report that they are treated with dignity and respect and that their views and opinions are valued. When it is not possible to act on their individual wishes, staff take time to explain the reasons why. This helps children to understand decisions and supports them to make positive, informed choices.

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outstanding

Children are fully involved and consulted regarding their care plans. This helps them to understand their care journey. The home’s care plans are written in a child- friendly format, which further enhances children’s understanding of their progress and achievements.

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outstanding

Children report that they have formed positive and trusting relationships with the staff team. One child said, ‘I really like it here. I refer to the staff and the other child here as my extended family.’

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outstanding

Staff are proactive in supporting children to achieve well in education. As a result, children attend school full time and maintain excellent attendance. Staff work in close partnership with education providers to ensure that children receive consistent encouragement and support, both at home and in school. One education professional commented, ‘The partnership and links we have are excellent and, as a result, the young person receives consistency and encouragement from both school and home.’

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are clearly identified and met through engagement with community health professionals. Staff understand that emotional well-being is as important as physical health and have established strong links with a clinical psychologist who visits the home monthly. Together, they develop individualised emotional health support plans for each child. This approach ensures that staff feel confident and well prepared to provide high-quality care.

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outstanding

Children are encouraged and supported to take part in a range of activities that help them to develop their individual hobbies and interests. This includes cricket, attending the gym, football and using community resources. In addition, the home has a range of games, which children use on a regular basis.

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outstanding

Children moving into or leaving the home receive exceptional support. The manager has created a comprehensive transition plan that is tailored to each child’s individual needs. This ensures that children move in a structured and supportive way. Introductions are carefully arranged so that children who are already living at the home can meet and welcome the new children. When children move on, they are sensitively supported to take special memories and keepsakes from their time at the Inspection report for children’s home: 2836278 3 home. One young person who previously lived at the home said, ‘I’m truly grateful for the beautiful days we shared and wonderful moments spent together.’

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outstanding

The home provides a warm, welcoming and homely environment. Children are fully involved in planning the décor for their bedrooms, which are spacious and well equipped. However, not all children have a lockable space for personal items. Therefore, a recommendation has been made in relation to this.

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outstanding

Safeguarding children is a central principle embedded throughout staff practice. Children have comprehensive risk management plans that are tailored to their individual needs. These plans are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that safeguarding strategies remain effective and responsive, helping children to feel increasingly safe and confident in their environment. Risk management plans are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and reflect changes in risk levels.

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outstanding

When children go missing from the home, staff follow the agreed missing-from- home protocols without delay. They take all reasonable steps to locate the child and ensure their safe return. Children are offered the opportunity to speak with an independent person following missing incidents, allowing them to express any worries or concerns and to help prevent future occurrences.

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outstanding

Children are supported well to understand and manage their emotions and feelings. The staff provide stability, consistency and clear boundaries, which help children to feel secure and confident. As a result, children respond positively to the established boundaries and expectations. This consistent approach creates a safe, predictable and nurturing environment for children to thrive.

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outstanding

Staff demonstrate strong de-escalation skills and use their positive relationships with children to help them manage conflict and regulate their emotions safely. Consequently, the need for physical intervention is minimal.

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outstanding

The home has a strong culture of ensuring that children’s voices are heard and valued. Children confirm this, with one saying, ‘Staff always listen to my point of view and if it is something that can happen, they will help to make sure it does. If it is something that isn’t possible, they explain why not.’

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outstanding

The manager ensures that the home is a safe and secure place for children to live. All health and safety regulations are followed, and children are fully aware of the procedure to follow in the event of a fire.

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outstanding

The recruitment and selection of staff is in line with safer recruitment processes, which contributes to children’s safety. Inspection report for children’s home: 2836278 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced manager who has high aspirations for the children in his care. He is supported by an experienced deputy who shares the same ethos, as do the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff report that the support and guidance they receive from the manager enhances their practice and confidence. They demonstrate a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, which contributes to the consistently positive outcomes achieved for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager ensures that the latest research and developments in childcare practice are embedded in the home’s approach, enabling staff to provide support in line with current best practice. He also invites external professionals to staff meetings to share their expertise, further strengthening the team’s skills and understanding of effective multi-disciplinary working.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision that allows them to reflect on their practice, identify further training opportunities and review the ongoing progress and outcomes for the children in their care. Staff say that they feel highly valued and that their views and opinions are actively listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has successfully developed effective partnerships with other professionals and family members. One professional commented, ‘The manager and staff team are excellent at communicating with me and share a joint vision of supporting [child’s name] to achieve the desired outcomes. As a result, [child’s name] has thrived in this placement.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2836278 5

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Recommendation

 Children should be provided with appropriate furniture, such as a lockable cabinet or drawers, to securely store personal items, including any personal information. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.19) Inspection report for children’s home: 2836278 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Mirage Adolescent Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Portfolio Place, 498 Broadway, Oldham OL9 9PY

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Mr Muswar Hussain

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Inspector

Sarah Oldham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2836278 7 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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