Children's home run by Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care & Support Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2744072 1 Registered provider: Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care & Support Limited

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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 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and have learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home. The children did not speak with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2026.

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Inspection date: 11 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 11 March 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2744072 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The children receive consistent care from a staff team that has worked diligently to build positive relationships with them. Staff know the children well and have adapted their practice to respond effectively to the children’s individual needs.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a change in the management since the last inspection. The new manager is child centred and knows the children well. She is ambitious and has made a positive difference to the quality of care provided.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has implemented several improvements in staff recording, staff development and streamlining documents. She has clear oversight of the day-to-day practice and has identified further areas for improvement.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has strengthened children’s risk assessments. They now provide clear guidance for staff to ensure that children’s safety and well-being are consistently promoted.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding practice is effective, and children’s safety and wellbeing are placed at the centre of decision-making. Concerns are addressed promptly and robustly. Records are clear and reflective, supporting continuous improvement.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff manage incidents effectively, using de-escalation strategies tailored to each child’s behaviour support plan. Staff use key-work sessions and direct discussions to help children understand the impact of their behaviour. In addition, staff use incentives to encourage and reinforce positive behaviour.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a stable staff team that shares the manager’s aspirations for children. Staff say the manager has a positive impact on the environment and on their day-to-day practice and the support they receive. As a result, children benefit from consistent care.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff access a wide range of training that helps them understand children’s individual needs. The manager has implemented systems that give her clear oversight of the staff’s skills and training needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff benefit from regular reflective supervision sessions that support their practice and identify further development. Regular collaborative team meetings also support team reflection and promote consistency in staff’s approaches and responses.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has oversight of how staff support children’s behaviours. However, on one occasion, there was a delay in speaking with a staff member following the use of restraint. This fell outside regulatory timescales. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2744072 3 The manager has developed positive relationships with professionals. She advocates strongly for children and escalates concerns when responses from other agencies are not satisfactory. This ensures that children receive the right support and their needs are met.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager carries out a six-monthly review of the home and includes feedback from children, parents and professionals. However, she has not gathered staff’s views, which limits a full evaluation of the quality of care.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met. Two requirements were raised at this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2744072 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/04/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2744072 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

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all staff members involved in the use of restraint are spoken to directly about the measure within 48 hours. 10 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must carry out a review of the quality of care every six months, incorporating feedback from children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. This 10 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2744072 6 should focus on the impact care is having on the outcomes and improvements for children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2744072 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Acorns to Oaks Children’s Care & Support Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 3, 125 to 129 Witton Street, Northwich CW9 5DY

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Inspector

Jennifer Quest, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2744072 8 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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