Children's home run by Oak House Children's Home Limited in Redbridge

Inspection report for children's home: SC467847 1 SC467847 Registered provider: Oak House Children's Home 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

This privately owned home provides care for up to 5 children who experience social and/or emotional difficulties. The provider has another children's home in the area and there are close links between the two homes.

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Information about this children's home

The home was registered with Ofsted in August 2013 and currently does not have a registered manager.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, there were no children living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

Inspection dates: 24 and 25 February 2026

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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 requires improvement to be 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: SC467847 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/08/2024 Full Good 12/09/2023 Full Good 19/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/10/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC467847 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take time to get to know children and understand each child's individual needs. Leaders and managers listen to children; they respond well when children share concerns and address any issues that they raise. Consequently, children feel that their views are important. Children's voices are well captured and recorded in their care plans and other documents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff offer good support to help children engage in education, and collaborate well with local authorities to promote children's learning. This helps children to make good progress and grow in confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children's physical and emotional health needs and ensure that these are met. All children are registered with local health services and staff support them to attend health appointments whenever this is required. The support that staff provide to meet children's health needs is key to their overall progress and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff encourage and support children to develop their independent living skills through meaningful one-to-one and structured key-work sessions. Children can share their views about how they want to be supported, which helps them to make progress safely and at a speed that is right for them. Other professionals speak positively about the thoughtful support that children receive in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children well when they move into or out of the home. Staff build and maintain positive relationships with children before they move in, and when they leave. Other professionals also state that children's transitions are well managed. This approach helps children to feel prepared, reassured and supported.

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

Staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and follow clear protocols to keep the children safe. Staff understand children's vulnerabilities and associated risks. These are managed and reviewed regularly with children's families and the professionals involved in the children's care. This collaborative approach helps to keep the children safe from harm.

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

When children go missing, staff act promptly. They look for the children, visit known locations and contact children's family and friends to establish the children's whereabouts. Staff encourage children to return home and keep relevant professionals well informed. Staff talk to children when they return home. They seek to understand the reasons why the child went missing and what happened while they were away from the home. Staff share any information promptly to ensure that children are safeguarded, and managers also offer children ongoing support. Inspection report for children's home: SC467847 4 Managers and staff assess children's risks well. When incidents happen, they are well managed, recorded and reported promptly to the relevant professionals. Managers complete reflective supervision with staff following incidents. They focus on communication, professional boundaries and supporting children's emotional regulation.

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

Managers have created a culture of learning and development that helps and protects children.

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

Staff are trained in how to provide trauma-informed care and understand its importance when working with children who have experienced trauma. This approach is embedded in daily practice and consistently strengthens and improves the quality of care that children receive. Leaders and managers have good oversight of any incidents and ensure that any learning is reflected in improvements in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home does not have a registered manager, and senior leaders are actively recruiting. There are currently no children living in the home and the home is undergoing renovations. The responsible individual and a deputy manager are maintaining oversight of the home during this period. However, the ongoing absence of a registered manager means that there is no consistent oversight or accountable leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers ensure that staff complete a range of training. This ensures that children receive consistent care from staff who are equipped to meet their individual needs with confidence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff receive regular supervision. These sessions are reflective and focus on the children's needs and the progress that they make. Staff development is also well considered, helping to improve practice and ensure that staff feel supported in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers respond well to staff concerns, allegations and complaints raised by the children and their families. This helps to ensure that children are safe and well cared for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers hold regular team meetings where they focus on children's needs and staff wellbeing. Staff input is valued and used to inform daily practice. Staff speak positively about the responsible individual and feel supported and listened to. Inspection report for children's home: SC467847 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 registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home if there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation (27) (1)(a)) 4 May 2026

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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: SC467847 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Oak House Childrens Home Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: A B C Care Solutions, 249 Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG1 4TG

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Inspectors

Stella Namakula, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Becky Fisher, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children's home: SC467847 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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