Children's Home run by Voices Homes Ltd in Oldham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2836276 1 Registered provider: Voices Homes Ltd

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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 owned and operated by a small private provider. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 12 November 2025

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

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: 2836276 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

Staff’s response to safeguarding concerns is a strength of the team. When the child has been missing, staff have responded effectively. Their actions are thorough and focus on locating the child in a timely manner to support their return to the home. Staff work hard to develop positive relationships with the child’s family and friends. This approach has supported effective communication when concerns are raised about the child and has enabled staff to respond appropriately.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager works closely with professionals involved in the child’s care. This has supported a reduction of restrictions under a deprivation of liberty order to reflect the child’s progress. Staff are flexible and adapt their approach to respond to any emerging risk. This ensures that the child remains supported, in line with court- directed measures.

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Findings from the inspection

The provider has invested in an online recording system that the manager and staff team have adapted to meet the needs of the home. As a result, there is clear evidence of the manager’s oversight, which is well recorded. The manager provides detailed analysis following all incidents. When areas of development are identified in staff practice, clear action plans are created and regularly reviewed.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, all staff working at the home have completed training to support children subject to deprivation of liberty orders. As a result, staff are better able to promote the child’s rights and wellbeing.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a strong and positive culture in the staff team. Staff members say they feel well supported by the manager and deputy manager and that their work is valued. Staff benefit from regular, reflective supervision that encourages them to reflect on their practice and promotes their professional development.

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Findings from the inspection

When physical intervention is required to promote the safety of the child, this is used proportionately and only as a last resort. The manager maintains good oversight of these incidents, which are generally well recorded. However, records do not consistently specify the type of hold used or its duration. On one occasion, although the child was spoken to about the hold, this was by a staff member involved in the restraint. This practice limits the child’s opportunity to raise concerns or make a complaint.

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Findings from the inspection

The provider has reviewed its staff recruitment policy and has identified areas for improvement. No new staff have been recruited since the last inspection; therefore, new procedures have not yet been implemented. The requirement is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2836276 3 During the inspection, fire doors were observed to be propped open. This practice increases the potential risk to the child in the event of a fire. The manager addressed this during the inspection and plans to review this with staff members.

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Findings from the inspection

Most of the requirements made at the last inspection have been met. Two additional requirements have been made during this inspection, and 2 have been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2836276 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/11/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2836276 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that fire doors are not obstructively held open using door wedges or props. 28 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(iv)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that records of restraint include sufficient detail on the type of hold used and the length of time the child was held. In addition, the registered person must ensure that following the use of restraint, the child is spoken to by a suitably experienced person not involved in the hold, to support fully independent consideration of their views and feelings about the measure used. 28 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— 28 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2836276 6 undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33 (4)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff, including the registered manager, complete mandatory training and that evidence to support completion is received and accessible.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification, and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should try, as far as possible, to verify references and determine why the employment ended, especially if the person has worked with children or vulnerable adults. The registered manager must also be able to access employee records so that during an inspection, these records can be seen.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 28 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2836276 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suite 212 Oakland House, 21 Hope Carr Road, Leigh, Wigan WN7 3ET

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Inspector

Carrie Mayes, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2836276 8 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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