Children's Home run by Oaktree Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808157 1 Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Limited

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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 company. It is registered to provide care for one child who has social and emotional difficulties and/or special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. The inspector spoke with the child.

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Information about this children’s home

The provider and manager registered with Ofsted in November 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808157 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The child feels safe and cared for at the home. They have strong, trusting relationships with most staff, who know the child’s history, personality and interests well. The bond with the manager is particularly positive and supportive.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have regular discussions with the child about important things in their life. Discussions are sensitive and help prepare the child for upcoming key events. The manager and staff listen to the child’s views and act on them.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is spacious, modern and well decorated. There are photos of the child and their loved ones in the communal areas. The setting is homely, and the child is relaxed in their environment.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the risks to the child. Risk assessments are clear, and they provide clear guidance to staff on key areas, providing strategies for staff to follow. Staff manage risks well and incidents have recently significantly reduced.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s relationship with external agencies is improving. Staff actively support the child to engage positively and have helped them build better connections with agencies they previously found challenging.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work proactively to reduce risks when the child goes missing from care. They act quickly to maintain contact with the child and search to ensure a safe return. Missing-from-care episodes remain at a similar frequency but are now lower risk due to staff’s consistent efforts. Staff have sensitive conversations to help the child understand the dangers when they are missing from the home and the impact this has on their current health and safety and on their future plans. The child has retained this learning and is making increasingly positive choices.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection. Given this, the recommendation in relation to physical intervention records has been restated. Staff are all trained to hold children safely in the event that this is required.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a high staff turnover during the inspection period. However, the manager has involved the child in the recruitment process and uses interview questions the child has created, helping the child feel valued. The child has positive relationships with new staff.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is present in the home and ensures that staff are well supported. The manager tests new staff knowledge regularly to identify their individual areas for development. Team meetings are held regularly. They include reflection on serious Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808157 3 incidents, and the manager ensures that all staff are familiar with the relevant policies and the child’s individual plans.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff complete all the training assigned to them by the manager. However, there is no specific training in areas that would support staff to understand the child’s specialist needs. A recommendation has been made in relation to this.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and senior staff are qualified. Other staff are enrolled on their qualifications and within the required timescale to complete them.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are recruited safely. Managers and leaders make thorough assessments of suitability before employing staff. However, risk assessments and plans for additional monitoring are not in place for those staff who would benefit from them. A recommendation has been made in relation to this. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808157 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/05/2025 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808157 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate specialist training to meet the needs of the children they care for. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)  The registered person should maintain good employment practice. They should ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that all records of restraint provide a detailed description of the actual restraint used in order to effectively review the method of restraint used. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808157 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ground Floor, Seneca House, Links Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool FY4 2FF

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Inspector

Sarah Huntbatch, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2808157 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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