Children's home run by Omega Care Group Limited

Inspection report for the children’s home: 2780216 1 Registered provider: Omega Care Group Limited

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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 owned by a private provider. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living at the home. Both children spoke with the inspector about their experiences of 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: 18 February 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for the children’s home: 2780216 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/02/2025 Full Good Inspection report for the children’s home: 2780216 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say, ‘This is an amazing home’, and spending time with staff is like being with family. Staff provide consistent and unconditional care to children, ensuring that they feel supported and cherished.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise children’s educational needs. They help children to overcome any barriers to education with sensitivity and positivity. When children cannot attend formal education, they encourage them to engage in alternative activities. Children are making consistent progress in their academic achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with valuable experiences outside of the home. They ensure that activities are both fun and enable children to take age-appropriate risks. For example, one child has learnt how to use technology safely and responsibly whilst living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff empower children to explore their individual identities. They celebrate and reinforce this by supporting children to develop various interests. One child is now learning Chinese and joined a local church and associated groups.

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

Staff know how to keep children safe. Incidents rarely occur at the home and when they do, staff act promptly and effectively to ensure the child is safe. Staff acted immediately when a child did not return home on time, locating them quickly. The child said that this response helped them feel cared for and valued by staff.

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

Children’s risk plans are clear and updated regularly. Staff consult with children about what should be in their plans. Staff use strategies that are child led and effective in helping children learn how to keep themselves safe.

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

Staff form trusted relationship with children quickly. When children are worried or scared, they speak to staff without hesitation. Staff speak with children about their worries in a non-judgement way and help them communicate their feelings safely. Staff support children to talk about mental health in a positive and nurturing way.

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

Staff engage in training tailored to the children’s individual risks. Staff apply their learning in practice to ensure it continues to respond to the children’s vulnerabilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a dedicated and experienced registered manager. She leads a team that places children’s voices at the front and centre of their care. Children say they know the manager will advocate for them and ‘fight their corner’. Children live in an Inspection report for the children’s home: 2780216 4 environment where managers and staff ensure that there are no limits placed on children’s achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers hold their staff in high regard. Staff go to work with enthusiasm and a strong commitment to the children they care for. One member of staff said, ‘My job doesn’t feel like work’. Senior managers check on staff wellbeing and actively show their appreciation to staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is dual registered with another children’s home owned by the provider. The deputy manager and senior staff support her to maintain full oversight of staff practice. Areas for development in staff practice are promptly identified, and staff are supported to enhance their skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers ensure that children are well supported when they move in and out of the home. One child was very fearful of moving into the home. Staff supported them patiently, taking their previous experiences into account. Children settle well into the home and quickly develop strong sense of belonging. However, the manager failed to inform a social worker when a child moved in. This is a missed opportunity to share information and ensure children live together safely and happily. Inspection report for the children’s home: 2780216 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any relevant persons, including social worker, for children already living at the home, are consulted with prior to a child moving into the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 18, paragraph 3.30)

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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 the children’s home: 2780216 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Omega Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 40-42 Kemble Street, Prescot L34 5SQ

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Inspector

Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for the children’s home: 2780216 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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