Children's Home run by Omega Care Group Limited in Halton

Inspection report children's home: 2806703 1 Registered provider: Omega Care Group 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

The home is privately owned and offers care for up to 1 child who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, there was 1 child living at the home. The child was spoken to as part of the inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2806703 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/04/2025 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2806703 3

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Summary of findings

The child is making exceptional progress when considering their starting point. Staff have built meaningful, trusting relationships with the child and created an environment where they feel safe and secure. Due to the high levels of support and guidance, there has been a significant and sustained reduction in risks and the child’s education and health needs are being met to a high standard. There is highly effective leadership and management of the home, supported by a committed and skilled staff team who work consistently to promote the child’s wellbeing and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff know the child exceptionally well. They have a playful, warm and genuine relationship with the child. Staff have an excellent understanding of the child’s needs and carry out direct work in a fun way. For example, engaging the child in role playing conversations to develop their social skills. Staff provide regular praise and recognition of the child's progress, which helps promote their self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A key strength of staff practice is ensuring that the child’s voice remains central to all that they do. Staff take the time to listen to the child and ensure that they act upon their wishes and feelings when appropriate. For example, arranging additional time with the child’s family for important birthdays or organising special celebratory meals. This ensures that the child feels heard and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager and staff have been strong advocates for the child’s education. They supported the child’s return to full-time school provision after a significant period without access to education. Staff actively promote the child’s learning within the home by encouraging activities such as educational apps and creative writing, which has contributed to positive educational progress. An education professional highlighted that the child’s excellent attendance is a direct result of the staff’s tenacity, consistency, and high-quality communication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff promote a strong sense of belonging and community for the child. For example, the management team and staff attended a meal to mark the child’s time at the home, creating a meaningful and memorable experience. The provider also organises regular social events, such as football matches and Halloween parties, which offer the child valuable opportunities to socialise, build friendships, and feel part of a wider community

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff ensure that the child has access to specialist support to meet their physical and mental health needs. For example, the child has access to weekly therapy sessions through the provider. The child’s therapist said that the staff team are thoughtful, work systemically, and are always receptive to feedback. Inspection report children's home: 2806703 4 Staff recognise and value the importance of the child's identity. They actively support time with the child's family and regularly reflect on how best to maintain the child’s connection to their hometown. This thoughtful approach is helping to reduce the risk of the child going missing from the home.

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

There has been a significant and sustained reduction in risks for the child since living at the home. The manager and staff have a thorough understanding of the child's individual risks and behaviours and how best to support them. They work exceptionally hard to balance safeguarding the child with ensuring that that they gain valuable life skills and experiences.

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

Staff work collaboratively with other agencies to safeguard the child. This includes challenging professionals when appropriate to ensure that everyone is doing what they can to keep the child safe. For example, staff work closely with the child’s school to implement a plan of support to maintain the child’s attendance. Staff remain local to the school to provide additional support when needed.

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

There are clear routines in place for the child which helps promote a consistency of care. Staff have meaningful conversations with the child about their risks to help them understand how to keep safe. They do this in a child focused way, reassuring them that they are loved and matter.

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

The manager and staff are highly reflective in their practice following incidents, using these experiences to learn and enhance outcomes for the child. Staff complete dynamic risk assessments, with the results clearly informing plans that are regularly reviewed and updated. This ensure that staff practice remains focused on the child’s progress and supports the continuous development and improvement of the homes overall approach.

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

When the child goes missing from home, staff take swift and effective action to locate them and ensure their safe return. They are tenacious in their efforts, travelling to multiple locations and continuing searches into the early hours when necessary. This determined approach helps ensure the child is found quickly and returned home safe and well.

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

When staff use physical intervention to support the child, it is proportionate, necessary, and in accordance with their plans. The interventions by staff are successful in de- escalating incidents and keeping the child safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is exceptionally child-focused and demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving the best outcomes for the child. She has developed an excellent relationship with the child, showing genuine warmth, care and regard. The manager has a thorough Inspection report children's home: 2806703 5 understanding of the child’s individual needs and ensures that staff share this understanding and respond in a consistent, effective and appropriate way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a strong advocate for the child. She challenges other professionals effectively and escalates concerns when she believes decisions are not in the child’s best interests or when improvements to their care are needed. She listens to the child and ensures their views are heard, valued, and meaningfully considered in decisions about their day-to-day care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a skilled and experienced staff team in place who have high aspirations for the child. Staff speak positively about the manager and the support that they receive from her. The quality of supervision staff is excellent. It is reflective of the child’s needs, evaluates staff practice, supports professional development, and provides staff with meaningful opportunities to raise and discuss any issues.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is strongly focused on developing staff knowledge and skills, placing particular emphasis on reflective practice. She incorporates relevant research and theory into day-to-day work, helping staff deepen their understanding of the child’s experiences and the impact these have on their life. This enables staff to respond to the child’s needs in an empathetic, supportive, and well-informed way. Inspection report children's home: 2806703 6

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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 children's home: 2806703 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Omega Care Group Ltd

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 40-42 Kemble Street, Prescot L34 5SQ

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Inspector

Hayley Smith, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2806703 8 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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