Children's Home run by Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care & Support Limited in Wirral

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 1 Registered provider: Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care & Support Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It provides care for up to 4 children who experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2026.

p.1

Inspection date: 29 January 2026

Date of last inspection: 22 September 2025

p.1

Inspection date: 29 January 2026

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 29 January 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

p.1

Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: 2781986 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child is provided with a high level of loving, nurturing and consistent care. Staff have helped the child to settle into the home and form a sense of belonging and security. The quality of relationships between staff and the child are overwhelmingly positive. Staff talk about the child with warmth, love and pride.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child is making progress in all areas of their life. They regularly attend school and are thriving in education. Staff work collaboratively with the school to ensure the best outcomes are achieved. The child is provided with additional opportunities to learn and develop outside of formal education.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child’s health and emotional well-being are actively promoted. Staff ensure that the child attends all health appointments and maintains a healthy daily routine. The manager advocated for the child to have additional reviews to ensure that the child’s specific health needs are fully understood and managed appropriately.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child’s achievements are celebrated and rewarded. They have a colourful memory book full of photos of fun activities and important life events. Staff encourage positive behaviour and the child is routinely rewarded.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Appropriate and clear routines and boundaries are in place, providing a consistent and stable environment. Staff use creative ways to help the child understand and manage their feelings and behaviours.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child lives in a large and spacious home. Their bedroom is well furnished and personalised. The home is full of sensory toys to meet the needs of the child. Communal areas are warm, comfortable and homely. However, the garden needs maintenance and repair to ensure it is safe for the child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no safeguarding incidents. However, the manager ensures that there is a strong safeguarding culture in the home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the child’s individual risks and vulnerabilities well. Risk and behaviour management plans are clear, informative and updated regularly.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff benefit from regular training opportunities including bespoke training to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to meet the complex needs of the child in their care. Team meetings and supervision sessions take place regularly and provide staff with opportunities to reflect on their practice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 3 The manager is caring and child centred. She is committed to providing the child with a high level of care. The manager has high expectations for herself, the child and the staff.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager has good oversight of the home and is fully involved in the child’s life. She has effective monitoring systems in place, which helps to promote the safety and well-being of the child in the home.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

All the requirements from the previous inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/09/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

p.5

Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that the garden is well maintained and free from hazards. 1 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care & Support Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care and Support Limited Suite 3, 125 to 129 Witton Street, Northwich CW9 5DY

p.6

Inspector

Zillah Brooks, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2781986 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7