Children's Home run by Begin to Blossom Ltd in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2823987 1 Registered provider: Begin to Blossom Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home. The inspector spoke with one child during the inspection.

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This monitoring visit

An assurance inspection was completed on 17 March 2026. Ofsted identified serious and widespread concerns at that inspection. Significant failures in safeguarding practice and in the leadership and management of the home had negatively affected the care and experiences of children. Following the inspection, Ofsted issued 2 compliance notices under regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place to review the progress made against the steps in compliance notices issued under regulations 12 and 13. Ofsted found that the provider had taken sufficient action to meet all the compliance notice steps. The other requirements set at the inspection were not reviewed and are therefore restated.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have taken steps to update the children’s risk assessments and care plans. Current and emerging risks are now appropriately identified, and there are clear actions for staff to follow. Consequently, staff are clearer on what actions they need to follow to manage and reduce risks for children. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2823987 2 There have been no children missing from home since the last inspection. Staff have strengthened their response when children stay away from home on an unauthorised basis. When one child stays away from the home, staff complete regular welfare checks and maintain contact with the child and their family. Additionally, the manager has reviewed the risks and the child’s views to inform changes to their care plan. This has resulted in the child having no further unauthorised absences.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a reduction of incidents in the home. There has been one incident since the last inspection where one child self-pierced. Staff responded through supporting the child to seek medical advice and followed this up through educational work. One social worker said, ‘It has taken a while for [Name of child] to settle as they didn’t trust adults at all, but the reduction in incidents is a massive difference for them.’

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have taken steps to review the recruitment policy and implemented additional measures to improve safer recruitment procedures. There have been no new staff members employed to work at the home; however, shortfalls identified in staff recruitment files have been addressed and additional information sought. This helps ensure that the adults caring for children are safe to do so.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and the manager have implemented training for staff to address the shortfalls in practice. Since the last inspection, staff have attended workshops that have included learning from previous incidents and shortfalls in practice, through using scenarios and training from outside agencies. Furthermore, the manager has reviewed this through using reflective sessions with the staff team. This helps staff to reflect on their practice and develop their skills in how to respond to children.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have reflected on shortfalls from the previous inspection and have been proactive in implementing learning. The manager has worked well with the responsible individual and the deputy manager to support additional oversight and monitoring of the home. This has been effective in reflecting on shortfalls and strengthening staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2823987 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/10/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2823987 4

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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 with the given timescales.

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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. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)) 10 May 2026

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff strive to ensure that children’s health needs are met. 10 May 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2823987 5 In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that each child has an updated care plan from the placing authority which outlines their current care planning arrangements. 10 May 2026

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under The Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2823987 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Begin to Blossom Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: C/O Hilton Jones Hollinwood Business Centre, Albert Street, Oldham OL8 3QL

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Inspector

Natalie Clark, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2823987 7 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 looked-after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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