Children's home run by Onextra Care Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2616383 1 Registered provider: Onextra Care Limited 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 company. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home, and both children spoke to the inspector.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2616383 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/05/2024 Full Good 27/09/2023 Full Good 20/07/2022 Full Good 01/12/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2616383 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Six children have lived at the home since the last inspection. Children's moves into the home are well planned. Children are provided the opportunity to visit and meet staff before they move into the home. The manager and staff researched one child's individual needs prior to them moving in, which gave staff the knowledge to support the child effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand and support the children's health needs well. The manager and staff work closely with health professionals to ensure that the children have access to specialist services when needed. Staff provide a high level of support, and one child in particular was helped to feel safe and cared for during a recent hospital admission.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Management and staff value education and support children to engage in educational activity. There is effective multi-agency working with education professionals to promote positive outcomes for children. The manager advocates appropriately for children, which has resulted in a reduction in education-related incidents for one child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff understand the importance of family time. Children are supported to maintain relationships that are important to them in a safe and planned way. Staff travel a considerable distance to support one child to see their family and friends, helping them to maintain meaningful relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's bedrooms are highly personalised. Children contribute to decisions about decorating communal areas of the home, including choosing decor. However, some areas of the home require improvement. This includes repairing damage to an external door and fence, removing unused nails from walls and improving the standards of cleaning in parts of the home.

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

Children are making progress and have developed positive relationships with staff and managers. Staff are knowledgeable about the children's needs and vulnerabilities. They support children in a therapeutic and nurturing manner and promote positive choices through the use of incentives and rewards.

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

Regular team meetings are held, and the in-house therapist regularly attends these. During the meetings, staff explore different theories and approaches to support the children and embed learning. This supports staff to develop a consistent and informed approach to care.

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

There has been a significant reduction in missing-from-home incidents since the last inspection. When missing-from-home incidents occur, staff act promptly and follow policies and procedures effectively. Staff have the skills to support children effectively Inspection report for children's home: 2616383 4 during periods of dysregulation, allowing children space to self-regulate. As a result, physical intervention has not been required.

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

The registered manager and staff work effectively with wider agencies. There has been positive feedback from professionals about the quality and effectiveness of multi-agency working, communication and the staff team's advocacy for the children.

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

The front door of the home is consistently unlocked. On one occasion, this resulted in one child's friend entering the home without staff knowledge. This lapse in security places children and staff at potential risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced in residential childcare and is working towards the relevant qualification. He is supported by a stable and committed staff team. The use of agency staff is minimal.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment practices are in place. The registered manager ensures that relevant checks are completed for new members of staff before they start working at the home. The manager ensures that staff have the knowledge and skills to meet the children's needs, including those with complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New members of staff complete an induction programme before they are enrolled to undertake a recognised childcare qualification. Staff have access to a wide range of training and demonstrate the skills needed to meet children's needs, including when new needs emerge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they feel well supported by the manager and are encouraged to develop within the organisation. Regular team meetings provide opportunities for discussion, reflection and shared learning. Staff receive regular supervision, which promotes reflective practice and supports their ongoing professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Incidents are not always reported in line with policies and procedures. The registered manager has not informed the regulatory bodies of relevant incidents, which limits external oversight and reduces the scrutiny of the provider's decision-making. Inspection report for children's home: 2616383 5

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 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)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person and staff must ensure that the home is secure to ensure the safety of children and staff. 2 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c)) 2 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child; and 2 May 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2616383 6 enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the home is maintained to a high standard, that any damage is repaired promptly and that the environment remains clean and well presented, to meet the needs of children.

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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: 2616383 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Onextra Care Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Suite D, 6th Floor, 1 Wellington Road North, Stockport SK4 1AF

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Inspector

Sonja Vega, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2616383 8 regulates 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 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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Inspector

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