Children's Home run by Sankofa Specialist Care Ltd in Oldham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 1 Registered provider: Sankofa Specialist Care 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 registered with Ofsted in November 2023 and is operated by a private provider. It offers 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.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been appointed and will be applying to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 18 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 18 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: 2764124 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 child has formed trusting and positive relationships with staff. They speak warmly about the home and are comfortable turning to staff for reassurance and support when things become difficult. This demonstrates that the child feels emotionally secure and confident that staff will respond with care.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have a thorough understanding of the child’s needs. They provide steady routines, calming sensory input and clear, consistent boundaries. This creates a predictable environment that helps the child feel settled and better able to manage day-to-day life.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s education is well supported, with regular communication between the home and school. Staff remain involved, stay informed about the child’s progress and challenges, and support the child in maintaining good school attendance. As a result, the child is encouraged to stay engaged with learning.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s health needs are well managed; staff ensure that medication is administered safely and on time. They also encourage the child to develop independence in hygiene and self-care, helping them build skills that will benefit them as they grow.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff take time to listen to the child’s views and hold regular key-work sessions to understand how the child is feeling and coping. They adjust their approach based on the child’s preferred communication method at the time, although there can sometimes be limits to their understanding due to the child’s individual needs. Even so, staff remain patient and responsive.

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Findings from the inspection

The child feels safe in the home and is supported by routines that help reduce anxiety. They have experienced fewer incidents at the home than in previous placements, indicating that the environment is more stable and better suited to their needs. The child also enjoys positive experiences during family time, which further supports their emotional wellbeing.

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Findings from the inspection

During this period, one child moved out of the home, and another child moved in. The manager agreed the placement details and requested specific documentation to ensure that staff could meet the child’s needs. However, some documentation was unavailable at the point the child moved into the home and was only obtained afterwards. This delay affects the staff’s ability to meet all the child’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are generally well informed about the risks associated with the child, and they keep risk assessments updated as situations change. However, some risk assessments and plans for the child contain gaps or outdated information, which Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 3 means not all documentation reflects the child’s current needs. These compromises safeguarding practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff act quickly when safeguarding concerns arise. They seek medical attention without delay and follow advice from external professionals when required. This demonstrates a responsible and proactive approach that helps ensure that the child’s wellbeing is prioritised.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff manage challenging behaviour using various planned strategies, including physical intervention when necessary. These strategies help keep the child and others safe during high-risk situations. However, the recording of physical interventions is not always clear or timely, which reduces the quality of oversight and limits learning and improvement.

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Findings from the inspection

Some debriefs following incidents and managerial reviews have been carried out late and do not always explore incidents with enough curiosity. This limits opportunities to fully understand what happened and identify areas for improvement. However, more recently, there has been stronger oversight, showing that improvements are being made in this area.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support the child effectively during serious incidents, taking appropriate steps to manage each incident and escalating concerns to the appropriate professionals when required. This careful and coordinated approach helps ensure that the child receives the right support at the right time.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers are using monitoring and audit systems more effectively, which is helping to drive positive change. Although these processes are improving, the quality of documentation is still developing following previous management failings. Continued focus on accuracy and consistency is required to strengthen the progress already made.

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Findings from the inspection

Serious concerns and allegations are dealt with promptly. Leaders ensure that referrals to relevant agencies are made without delay. When necessary, staff are suspended while investigations are carried out pending the outcome of the investigation. This supports safeguarding practice and transparency.

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Findings from the inspection

Staffing levels are suitable to meet the child’s needs. However, recent staff departures have meant that remaining staff have been relied on to work additional hours. While this has helped maintain stability for the child and their care, it highlights the importance of the ongoing recruitment of new staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Training for staff has improved, giving them a stronger understanding of the child’s needs and how to support them effectively. However, some specialist training remains outstanding, which means that staff are not fully equipped to manage all aspects of the child’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The previous manager did not maintain the standards required for the role. Despite receiving support, the necessary improvements were not achieved. Leaders have Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 4 taken appropriate action to address the concerns. This demonstrates the provider’s commitment to responding proactively to performance issues when necessary. The new interim manager has begun strengthening systems. With support from the responsible individual, they have improved recording processes, strengthened oversight and helped staff develop their understanding. These steps are contributing to greater stability and clearer direction. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/04/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 6

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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.

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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

that staff-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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(i)(v)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, risk assessments must be up to date and clearly outline the actions for staff to take to keep the child safe. 30 May 2026

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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

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’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child; 30 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 7 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

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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. (Regulations 13 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)(e)(f)(g))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must ensure that all plans relating to children are up to date and completed within timescales to ensure continuity of care for the child.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority; 30 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 8 that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulations 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff have a full understanding of a child’s needs before they move into the home and are able to help the child de-escalate their behaviours. Furthermore, ensure that staff have appropriate moving-out plans that promote a positive experience for the child.

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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

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. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(ii)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(xi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, staff must understand children’s individual requirements and be able to meet their social and emotional needs. Specifically, staff should be familiar with the plans for each child and apply the strategies for de-escalation as required. 30 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

The measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. 30 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 9 The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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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; and

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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. (Regulations 35 (1)(b) (2) (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the recording of physical interventions must be completed in full within the required timescales. Additionally, staff must be spoken to within 48 hours and children within 5 days following any incident of physical intervention, and the details should be recorded.

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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

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”).

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (3) (4)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the review of the quality of care report is submitted to Ofsted within the required time frame. 30 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 10

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff are up to date with their training, specifically in relation to self-injurious and sexualised behaviour. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sankofa Specialist Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 449 Brook Lane, Birmingham B13 0BT

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Inspector

Paul McKay-Smith, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2764124 12 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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