Children's Home run by Oakfield Psychological Services in Trafford

Inspection report for children's home: 2807410 1 Registered provider: Oakfield Psychological Services 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 provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home, and they spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children's home

This is the home's first inspection since registration.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025 but is in the process of submitting her voluntary cancellation form.

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Information about this children's home

The new manager has applied to register.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2807410 2

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Summary of findings

The child has settled well into the home and is making progress. They have developed trusting relationships with staff who provide nurturing care and understand the child's complex emotional and health needs. There is effective multi-agency working, and the child is now attending school regularly and is supported to have positive family time.

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Summary of findings

Safeguarding practice in the home is strong, and the staff are managing the child's risks appropriately and keeping the child safe. The new management team maintains effective oversight of the day-to-day running of the home. Managers support staff through regular supervision and training, helping them to meet the child's needs consistently. A small number of maintenance issues require attention to help maintain a homely and welcoming environment for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The planning for the child's move into the home was robust. The manager and staff visited the child several times before they moved in. This helped the child to build trusting relationships with key staff and reduced their anxieties. As a result, the child has settled well, and their needs are being met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported by a nurturing, caring and child-centred staff team. Staff speak about the child with genuine warmth and affection. They implement well-planned routines that provide predictability and consistency. This helps the child to feel safe and secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager has high expectations for the child's education. Before moving into the home, the child had not attended school for several months. Through the support and encouragement from staff, the child now attends school regularly. Staff understand the gaps in the child's learning and provide additional support with English and mathematics during the summer holidays. This support is helping the child to develop confidence and make progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of the child's complex health needs. The manager has ensured that staff receive specialist training to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to meet those needs safely and effectively. Staff also work closely with other relevant specialist health professionals to ensure that the child receives consistent support to manage their long-term health conditions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to have regular quality time with their family. The child's family members = visit the home each week, and staff support them to have quality time together out in the community. This helps the child to maintain strong family bonds and share positive experiences with people who are important to them. Inspection report for children's home: 2807410 3 Staff encourage the child to take part in a wide range of activities both in the home and in the community. These include picnics, feeding the ducks at the park, water play and arts and crafts. This helps the child to be more active and supports their emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff place the child's views at the centre of day-to-day care and decision-making. They regularly consult with the child about activities, meal choices and incentives designed to develop age-appropriate life skills and positive routines. As a result, the child feels respected, valued and listened to.

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

The child said that they feel safe in the home and are developing positive relationships with staff. The child's safety is consistently at the centre of staff's practice. Staff regularly speak with the child about important issues, including staying safe, managing emotions and what to do if they have any concerns. The child has not raised any complaints.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the child's vulnerabilities and behaviours that may place them at risk. To support the staff in managing these risks, there are robust risk assessments and positive behaviour support plans in place. As staff get to know the child better and identify emerging concerns, the manager reviews and updates these plans to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

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

Staff promote positive behaviour through the use of star charts and incentives. They also help the child to understand and manage their feelings by talking regularly about frustrations, worries and anxieties. The in-house therapist provides oversight of the therapeutic model of care and works closely with the manager to identify patterns in behaviour and develop strategies that help the child manage their emotions safely.

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

The manager responds effectively to allegations. When concerns have been raised, the manager has acted swiftly to prioritise the child's safety. This has included removing staff from duties while investigations take place and ensuring that all relevant professionals are informed promptly.

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

Staff provide the child with a warm, welcoming and comfortable home environment. Age-appropriate toys and games are readily available, and the child enjoys spending time playing with staff. The manager continues to invest in improvements to the home, including plans to develop a sensory room. However, some minor repairs remain outstanding. As a result, these issues detract from the otherwise homely and nurturing environment that staff have worked hard to create.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a change in management since the home was registered. The previous registered manager has moved to another home in the company. The new manager is Inspection report for children's home: 2807410 4 experienced, child focused and aspirational. She is currently progressing her application to become the registered manager of this home while also managing another home within the organisation. She is supported in her role by an experienced deputy manager. Together, they provide effective leadership and promote consistency in the day-to day running of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team maintains effective oversight of practice through robust monitoring and review systems. When managers identify shortfalls, they take prompt action to address them through targeted support, reflective discussions and additional training. This helps ensure that staff provide the child with good-quality care and support on a daily basis.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A stable and committed staff team provides the child with consistency and stability. Staff know the child's needs, vulnerabilities and strengths well and share a commitment to achieving positive outcomes. Staff said that they feel well supported by the management team, which contributes to a positive and stable working environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a strong advocate for the development of the staff team. She ensures that staff have access to a comprehensive training programme and has prioritised specialist training to equip staff with the knowledge and skills required to meet the child's complex health needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff receive regular supervision within appropriate timescales. These sessions provide opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice, discuss challenges and identify any additional learning and development needs. This helps staff build confidence and maintain good standards of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good sharing of information between the team, including in-depth handovers and monthly team meetings. This gives an opportunity for the staff to discuss current issues and share good practice. This ensures that the whole team is consistent in its approach to supporting the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff understand the aims and objectives set out in the home's statement of purpose. The manager ensures that this is kept updated when there have been staff changes. However, this has not been shared with the regulator. Inspection report for children's home: 2807410 5

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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 compile in relation to the children's home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that the home's statement of purpose is sent to Ofsted when it has been updated and changes in staffing occur. 19 October 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is maintained and that any hazards identified are quickly repaired, such as the damage to the tiles in the child's bathroom, and marks on the wall are cleaned or repainted. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,' page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2807410 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Oakfield Psychological Services

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 10 Ambassador Place, Stockport Road, Altrincham WA15 8DB

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Inspector

Simon Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2807410 7 regulates 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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Inspector

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