Children's home run by Optimum Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2834281 1 Registered provider: Optimum Childcare 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 operated by a private organisation and is registered to care for 2 children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

This is the first inspection since the home registered in June 2025.

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Information about this children's home

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

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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: none Inspection report for children's home: 2834281 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home registered, one child has moved into the home. The manager carefully considered the child's needs alongside the skills and experience of the team. As a result, the child was able to remain in the area they identify with, which has supported their sense of stability and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the child's health needs and ensure that children are registered with all relevant services. Referrals to specialist services, such as counselling, are put in place when required to support the child's emotional wellbeing and explore their lived experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not currently attending formal education The manager has arranged home tuition for the child while an appropriate school is identified. The manager and staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the educational barriers for the child. They are working proactively alongside education professionals and the placing authority to address these challenges and support the child's engagement in their learning. An education professional stated, 'The manager and staff’s willingness to continue offering educational opportunities in a way that feels safe and manageable for [child's name] is a key strength.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively support and encourage family time, helping the child to maintain meaningful connections with important people in their lives. This consistent support helps to promote and sustain the child's sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has many opportunities to express their wishes and feelings and knows how to raise any issues. When they have raised concerns, the manager and responsible individual have appropriately addressed these. As a result, the child feels listened to and is actively engaged in decisions that shape their daily life. The manager ensures that the home is beautifully maintained and decorated.

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

The child is kept safe by staff who are attuned to their needs and know the child's strengths and vulnerabilities well. Staff regularly speak to the child about important issues, such as staying safe, managing relationships and emotional wellbeing. The social worker said, 'They are doing an incredible job. [Name of child] is feeling a sense of security and stability.'

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

Incidents of unwanted behaviour are infrequent. Risk management and behaviour support plans are personalised to the child. They are comprehensive, easily accessible and guide staff practice. Plans are regularly reviewed and updated by the manager to address any emerging patterns or new risks. Inspection report for children's home: 2834281 3 When an allegation was raised about a staff member's practice, the responsible individual responded appropriately. Information was shared with relevant professionals, including the local safeguarding designated officer. However, the child did not receive a response in an acceptable time frame and it was not presented in a child-friendly manner.

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

Staff are clear and nurturing when supporting the child to understand rules and boundaries. Staff provide consistent advice, guidance and support, which helps the child to make safe choices. Consequences are rarely used. Instead, staff encourage positive behaviour through rewards and incentives. This helps the child to develop better ways of expressing themselves.

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

Staff ensure that the child is supported to take prescribed medication as advised by medical professionals. However, recording at the start of a new batch of medication is not clear, which could affect clarity and oversight.

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

Safer recruitment practices are in place. However, specific dates of applicants' employment histories are not consistently recorded. This limits the manager's ability to explore gaps in employment and fully assess the applicant's suitability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been recent changes in management. There is an interim manager in post who plans to progress their application to Ofsted to formally assess their suitability for the role. The responsible individual has provided oversight during this period. This has provided reassurance to staff, supported continuity of practice and ensured that the child continued to benefit from stable and consistent care. One member of staff stated, 'I have felt well supported and guided in my role.'

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have been recruited from a variety of backgrounds, with some staff having experience and being qualified in childcare. New members of staff complete an induction before being enrolled to attain a recognised childcare qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular supervision sessions, which encourage reflection on their practice and promote learning. However, appraisals are overdue for some staff. This limits the manager's opportunity to formally evaluate staff performance and professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to a wide range of training, which is aligned to the child's needs. However, some newer members of staff have not yet completed all the mandatory training required. This means that some staff may not be fully confident in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place monthly and provide staff with opportunities to share information, discuss the child's needs and reflect on practice. This helps to ensure that the child receives consistent and well-coordinated care. Inspection report for children's home: 2834281 4

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(g)(ii)(h)) 27 March 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2834281 5 In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that they have systems in place so that all staff receive appraisals to evaluate their performance, practice and professional development.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, leaders and managers must ensure that there is close monitoring of staff training needs.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that medication records are consistently completed accurately to provide a clear audit trail. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,' page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that applicants provide a full employment history with clear, specific dates so that any gaps in employment can be appropriately explored. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,' page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that complaint responses are shared without delay and are written in a child-centred and age-appropriate way that children can understand and clearly explain the outcomes and actions taken. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,' page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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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: 2834281 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Optimum Childcare Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 10 The Crescent, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 8AX

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Inspector

Shauna Morley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2834281 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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