Children's Home run by Oxfordshire County Council in Oxfordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2830769 1 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Registered provider: Oxfordshire County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides care for up to 2 children who experience emotional and social difficulties. The home provides short-term care for children aged between 12 and 17 years.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in June 2025.

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Inspection date: 23 March 2026

Date of last inspection: 17 December 2025

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Inspection date: 23 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 23 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: 2830769 2 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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. Although the home is making progress towards meeting the requirements set at the full inspection, these improvements have not been fully embedded into staff practice, therefore the requirements have been restated.

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Findings from the inspection

The children’s matching assessment, combined with the risk assessment, is completed prior to admission to ensure that the child’s individual needs are fully understood. The manager has carefully considered the skills and experience of the staff team. Where any gaps in knowledge have been identified, relevant training has been arranged in advance of the child’s arrival. To support a positive and smooth transition for the child, the manager is implementing a gradual and structured introduction to the home.

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Findings from the inspection

A child who has recently moved on to an alternative arrangement had begun forming positive relationships with staff, supported through meaningful key-work sessions. House meeting records demonstrate that the child’s voice influenced their activities during the day.

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Findings from the inspection

Most staff have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures, including the actions required when a child goes missing from the home. Where staff show uncertainty about specific aspects of safeguarding practice, appropriate investigations are carried out, with clear oversight from senior managers and relevant external agencies. These staff are receiving targeted support through performance improvement plans and supervisions, ensuring their practice develops to the required standard.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and managers respond promptly and appropriately to online risks. When concerns emerged regarding a child’s online activity, they acted swiftly and informed the police without delay. To further enhance staff’s knowledge and confidence in supporting children at risk of child sexual exploitation, managers have arranged targeted specialist training.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has established strong oversight of risk management, planning and the day-to-day practice of staff, ensuring that professional standards remain consistent to the required standard. However, some staff have expressed that this level of oversight feels like micromanagement. Furthermore, the manager is aware that this level of oversight has contributed to conflict within the staff team and recognises that, if it continues, it may adversely affect children’s development, their engagement with staff and, ultimately, their safety and stability. The manager intends to address these concerns during the forthcoming team awayday and follow them up in team meetings and individual supervisions. Management also acknowledge that such close oversight has been necessary to ensure consistent practice and to maintain compliance with care plans and risk assessments. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2830769 3

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Findings from the inspection

Work around diversity and identity is not yet fully embedded in daily practice, limiting the consistency with which staff recognise and respond to individuals’ diverse needs. Managers acknowledge this shortfall and have begun to address it through team discussions and planned training.

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Findings from the inspection

Management communication and planning with social work teams require improvement, particularly during transitions when children move on to alternative arrangements. These shortfalls mean that information is not always shared in a timely or coordinated way, which can affect the quality and continuity of support for children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2830769 4 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/12/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2830769 5 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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 work as a team where appropriate;

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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

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to 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

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and 20 June 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2830769 6 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, senior management and the registered person must ensure that the needs of the children who come to stay at the home are fully assessed to understand whether the staff have the skills and experience to care for them. This should be considered before a new child comes to stay.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered manager must be provided with support to ensure that there is consistency of oversight across the service, staff supervision, challenge to partner agencies and addressing concerns about staff practice.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; 20 June 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2830769 7 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

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)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust; 20 June 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2830769 8 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x)) 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

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)) 20 June 2026

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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) (3)(d)) 20 June 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2830769 9 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oxfordshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND

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Inspector

Shaheda Dhandia, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2830769 10 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspector

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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