Children's home run by OAK NEST CHILDREN’S HOMES LTD

Inspection report for children's home: 2822820 1 Registered provider: OAK NEST CHILDREN’S HOMES LTD 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 4 children with learning disabilities and/or children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in July 2025. This is the home’s first inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2822820 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home was registered, one child has left the home, and another child has moved in. This child experienced a well-planned transition led by staff they already knew from a previous home they lived in. This helped the child to settle in and build on existing positive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child follows a consistent daily routine. They receive regular tuition and are making progress with their learning. The child’s tutor speaks positively about the staff’s support for these sessions. The professional network is looking for a suitable school for the child so they can enjoy learning with others. The child also enjoys regular community and indoor activities with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has complex health needs and is nonverbal. Staff support them to attend all their routine health appointments so they are fully included as much as they can be in their own healthcare.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager has purchased an electronic communication aid. This is helping the child to develop their communication and express their wishes and feelings. Staff support the child to choose their weekly meals; this includes foods from a range of cultures. This supports the child’s meaningful involvement with decisions about the care they receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a detailed home care plan that supports staff to meet the child’s needs. Staff want the child to understand the details of their care plan, and they communicate this information to the child in ways they can understand.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to see their family through weekly activities such as bowling, swimming and museum visits. They also arranged a family Christmas dinner; the child’s father describes this meal as ‘so special’ and says that the child is the happiest they have been in a long time. Staff provide the child’s father with daily updates so that the family are connected to their child’s day-to-day experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to develop independence skills. During the inspection, the inspector saw the child put their dishes in the dishwasher independently and help staff to prepare dinner. These are meaningful achievements for the child. Staff also support the child to learn about grocery shopping and using public transport.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a clean, calm environment. Personal photos are displayed in shared spaces and the child’s bedroom, which is personalised to reflect their interests.

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

Proactive risk management and multi-agency working keep the child safe. The child’s risk assessment considers any risks to the child, both in the home and in the community. The Inspection report for children's home: 2822820 3 child does not go missing from the home, which would be very concerning, as they are well supervised. The child’s plan for supervision is frequently reviewed to make sure this remains proportionate and not unnecessarily restrictive to the child.

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

The manager has suitable oversight of the child’s medication. Staff do not make medication errors, and records of medication are clear and accurate.

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

Staff have regular key-work sessions with the child. Topics include helping them to understand mental capacity and fire safety. These are important learning opportunities for the child that help them understand themself better and potential dangers around them.

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

Since moving into the home, the child has been involved in one incident; this was suitably managed. However, the child who previously lived here experienced a significant incident that resulted in a physical restraint. The child repeatedly expressed that they did not wish to see a family member; however, these views were not properly considered, leading to periods of significant emotional distress for the child. This incident highlighted a recurring issue of insufficient challenge to the child’s placing authority regarding their response to the child’s wishes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is invested in the progress of the child and in the development of the staff team. The staff are experienced and passionate about giving the child positive experiences. They feel well supported and have suitable safeguarding knowledge for their roles. Staff appreciate the importance that leaders place on staff wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a learning culture in the home. Team meetings are child focused and used to share information and have reflective discussions. All staff, including the manager, have completed relevant training specific to the child’s needs. The induction of new staff is thorough and provides structured support to help them settle into their roles well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager carries out regular monitoring of staff practice, the child’s progress and other areas of the home to help them have good oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child’s social worker and independent reviewing officer are confident that staff can support the child and know how to communicate with them well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recruitment is generally well managed but there are some gaps in employment checks for staff who have come from overseas. The registered manager acknowledged this area needs development and is committed to strengthening the recruitment process.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision takes place regularly; staff find it encouraging and beneficial for their development. However, the responsible individual’s supervision of the registered manager does not currently consider the manager’s personal welfare. Inspection report for children's home: 2822820 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should maintain good employment practices, ensuring overseas checks are completed where required and that full employment histories date back to dates of education. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The responsible individual should ensure that supervision arrangements for the registered manager are supportive in nature and consider their personal wellbeing. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3)  The registered person should ensure that they effectively challenge placing authorities when they are not providing the suitable input to meet children’s needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8) Inspection report for children's home: 2822820 5

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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: 2822820 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: OAK NEST CHILDREN’S HOMES LTD

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 25 Bisenden Road, Croydon CR0 6UN

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Inspector

Chelsea Agyeman, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2822820 7 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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