Children's Home run by Oaktree Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2813801 1 Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home, and they spent time with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2813801 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/07/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2813801 3

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Summary of findings

Children receive good quality care from staff and make measurable individual progress. Since the last inspection, there have been changes to the staff team. However, managers have remained in post and developed positive relationships with children. As a result, these changes have had minimal impact on children’s care.

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Summary of findings

Staff understand children’s needs and respond effectively when incidents occur. The management team have good oversight of the home. However, supervision of staff is not always conducted at the required frequency. This reduces opportunities for managers to review practice, support professional development and strengthen accountability.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress from their individual starting points. Staff provide care that is responsive to children’s individual needs. For some children, progress has been gradual and there are periods when they have experienced setbacks. Staff adapt their support to help children overcome barriers and encourage positive engagement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has recently moved to the home. Managers and staff used their knowledge of the child’s needs and experiences to support the move and help them settle. The child has settled well and is developing positive relationships with staff. Since moving to the home, there has been a reduction in the child’s involvement in incidents and their overall engagement with those involved in their care has improved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves to the home are generally well planned. One child’s move was particularly complex. The child was missing before the move and arrived at the home during the early hours of the morning after being located by the police. Staff were available to welcome and support the child on arrival. This helped the child to feel safe and provided a positive introduction to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to attend education. When children struggle in their engagement, staff work closely with education professionals to review arrangements and identify strategies that better meet children’s needs. For one child, this approach has supported them to successfully complete their examinations and secure a place at college.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s wishes and feelings are regularly sought. Staff support children to contribute to decisions about their lives and respond appropriately when their views change. Staff advocated for one child with their plans to move to independence. When the child expressed concerns about the move, staff listened carefully, provided reassurance and offered practical support. Inspection report for children’s home: 2813801 4 Children are supported to maintain relationships with the people who are important to them. Staff understand the value of these connections and promote meaningful family time in line with children's plans. For one child, positive and consistent time with a parent has led to plans for them to return home. Staff are supporting the child and their family to prepare for this move and are working closely with professionals to ensure that the transition is well planned and meets the child's needs.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities for each child. Detailed risk assessments provide clear guidance on how to recognise and respond to concerns. Staff follow these strategies consistently and identify and respond to emerging risks promptly. When concerns arise, staff work effectively with relevant professionals to safeguard children through a coordinated multi-agency response.

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

There has been a significant reduction in incidents of children being reported missing from the home. When children do go missing, staff respond promptly and follow children's individual risk assessments. Staff maintain effective communication with relevant professionals and take appropriate action to support children's safe return. This helps to reduce risks for children and promotes their safety and well-being.

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

Allegations and complaints are responded to appropriately. There is clear management and senior leadership oversight, which ensures that concerns are investigated effectively. Leaders and managers have followed a learning approach, using the outcomes to identify lessons that improve practice.

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

Staff are skilled in the use of de-escalation techniques. As a result, physical intervention is rarely required and is used only when necessary to protect children or others from harm. Following incidents of restraint, children and staff have opportunities to reflect on what happened. However, records of these discussions do not always clearly demonstrate when they took place.

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

Incidents are generally well managed, with leaders and managers providing oversight and ensuring that appropriate action is taken by staff. However, not all significant incidents have been notified to the regulator in a timely manner. This limits the regulator’s oversight of safeguarding matters.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced registered manager who is supported by a deputy manager. Together, they provide consistent leadership for the staff team and maintain oversight of the care provided to children. Their knowledge of the children supports informed decision-making and continuity in the care provided by staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the support they receive from managers. They describe managers as ‘approachable’ and available for advice and guidance when needed. This supports staff to feel confident in their roles. Inspection report for children’s home: 2813801 5 The management team know children well and have a clear understanding of their individual needs and experiences. Managers work hard to promote children’s needs and advocate on their behalf when necessary to ensure that children’s needs remain central to planning and decision-making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been significant changes to the staff team since the last inspection. More recently, staffing has stabilised and the team now benefits from a blend of experienced and newer staff. Although children have experienced some disruption because of these changes, children say that the impact on their care has been limited due to the management team remaining in the home. The increase in stability in the team is supporting improved consistency in the care provided by staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete training that reflects the individual needs and risks of the children living at the home. Leaders identify additional learning needs and ensure that staff develop the skills and knowledge required to respond to children’s changing needs effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive supervision that is reflective and focused on both their practice and the needs of children. Supervision provides opportunities for staff to reflect on incidents and identify areas for development. However, supervision does not consistently take place at the frequency expected by the provider. This reduces opportunities for regular professional reflection, support and effective management oversight of staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2813801 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 registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff receive regular supervision. 17 September 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, clear and accurate recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4’)  The registered person should ensure that there is a system in place so that all serious events are notified to the regulator without delay. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.13)

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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 for children’s home: 2813801 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oaktree Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Ground Floor, Seneca House, Links Point, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 2FF

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jacqueline Titterington

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Inspector

Carrie Mayes, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2813801 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 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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