Children's Home run by Sankofa Specialist Care Ltd in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2643338 1 Registered provider: Sankofa Specialist Care Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider. It offers care for two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2643338 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/05/2024 Full Good 20/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/12/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/08/2022 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2643338 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spoke with both children as part of this inspection.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home, and one child has moved in. When decisions are made about children moving, there is robust multi-agency working and effective, appropriate challenge from leaders and managers to ensure that decisions are in the best interests of the child.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children appear comfortable living at the home, and staff speak fondly and positively about them. Both children were observed to have positive relationships with staff, seeking them out for advice, engaging in supportive conversations and having fun. During the inspection, one child engaged in arts and crafts and was eager to present their work to the staff and inspector. The child responded well to praise and encouragement and was proud to display their work.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who require specialist healthcare and advice receive appropriate services and support. Staff encourage children to engage with health professionals so that they receive advice that helps them make informed decisions and take ownership of their health.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s educational needs are promoted daily. One child, who is new to the home, is currently awaiting a school place; however, staff support them with an education plan in the home. During the inspection, this child was observed undertaking history research with staff support. Additionally, leaders and managers have appropriately challenged decisions about children’s education when they have not been in their best interests. As a result, one child successfully reintegrated into school. This effective challenge has ensured that the child now experiences educational success.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children’s independence by engaging them in specific tasks inside and outside the home. One child is being supported to liaise with healthcare professionals and understand basic first aid, which encourages them to learn new information about factors affecting their life. One child’s social worker said, ‘The staff have supported [name of child] to learn new skills, such as budgeting, travelling independently, as well as learning practical skills around the home.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Significant discussions take place with children on a range of topics. These are thoughtfully and sensitively recorded with a clear child-centred focus. This not only demonstrates the empathetic approach staff take to children’s care and support but also reflects how children can rely on trusted adults. Inspection report for children’s home: 2643338 4

p.3

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

Risk assessments are carried out promptly when children move into the home. They clearly identify children’s individual risks and vulnerabilities. The manager ensures that risk assessments are reviewed regularly and updated in response to circumstances or emerging needs.

p.4

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

Children who display self-harming behaviours are supported sensitively. Staff provide reassurance, care and appropriate support, ensuring that children receive medical advice and treatment when required. Consequently, one child’s self-harming behaviour has significantly reduced. The child’s family member said, ‘[Name of child] has been at her happiest living there.’

p.4

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

Staff are required to carry out daily checks to ensure that the home environment remains safe for children. However, on one occasion, these checks were not carried out in a timely manner. During a tour of the home, the manager and the inspector retrieved items from one child’s bedroom that presented a potential ligature risk. A requirement has been raised in response to this shortfall.

p.4

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

When children go missing from home, staff take appropriate action to search for them and locate them in line with their individual risk management plans. Staff report missing children to the police and other relevant professionals when they cannot establish their whereabouts.

p.4

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

Physical intervention is rarely used, and staff generally adopt a supportive and de-escalatory approach to managing children’s behaviour. However, on one occasion, poor decision-making by staff contributed to a situation escalating. This resulted in the child becoming distressed, and staff held the child briefly to prevent potential harm to themselves, other children and staff. A requirement has been raised in response to this shortfall.

p.4

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

Managers take a proactive approach to carrying out debriefs following serious incidents. This enables the manager and staff team to engage in open and transparent discussions about how situations could be managed differently in the future. During one debrief, a member of staff provided a critical self-evaluation of their practice, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining good standards of care for children with complex trauma needs.

p.4

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

There has been one allegation made since the last inspection this was reported to HMCI and the child’s placing authority without delay, and leaders and managers took appropriate action to investigate the concerns promptly. When there are delays in resolving complaints, the operations manager takes effective action by challenging the timescales with the child’s placing authority. Inspection report for children’s home: 2643338 5

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A suitably qualified and experienced manager leads the home. He is also registered to manage another home in the organisation. Since his appointment, he has focused on staff development to ensure that there are clear expectations about the care provided to children. This focused approach has had a positive impact on staff morale and retention and has contributed to positive outcomes for children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are positive about the support they receive from leaders and managers. They speak about their experiences of a positive working environment, effective communication among the team and a shared work ethic.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and deputy manager are both aware of the procedures in place for the regular monitoring and review of the home. Together, they have a joint understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development, as well as how staff need to be supported to provide effective care to children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager encourages children’s participation and feedback, ensuring that their views are sought and that they feel heard. Recently, both children chose to keep the Christmas tree up in the home as a permanent fixture. They told the inspector how they plan to decorate the tree for special occasions in the coming months.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is currently being redecorated. Despite this ongoing work, the home remains clean and comfortable and provides ample space for children to relax and study.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding procedures, including how to respond to concerns about children’s safety and how to use the whistleblowing process. They express confidence that leaders and managers will take their concerns seriously and address them appropriately.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision takes place regularly, and sessions include discussions about additional learning opportunities to help staff enhance their knowledge and skills. One member of staff spoke about a recent safeguarding quiz they had participated in that helped them reflect on their existing knowledge and identify areas where further learning would be beneficial. Inspection report for children’s home: 2643338 6

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

p.6

Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

p.6

Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

p.6

Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(ii)(v))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff are confident in their decision-making when implementing routines and boundaries and can diffuse a situation effectively to prevent it from escalating. 27 February 2026

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; 27 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2643338 7 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(b))

p.7

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff carry out daily checks in a timely manner, in line with the home’s day- to-day arrangements, to reduce the risk of harm to children.

p.7

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: 2643338 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sankofa Specialist Care Ltd

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 449 Brook Lane, Birmingham B13 0BT

p.8

Inspector

Michelle Greenhalgh, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2643338 9 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.

p.8

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 . 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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9