Oak Tree Meadows

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Oak Tree Meadows 1 Oak Tree Meadows

p.1

Registered provider: Oak Tree Meadows Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

provider

This supported accommodation service is owned and operated by a private provider. It offers accommodation for up to 6 looked-after children and care leavers in a shared group-living home.

p.1

provider

At the time of monitoring visit there were 2 looked after children aged 16 to 17 being accommodated.

p.1

provider

The service manager role is vacant. The service has recently appointed a new nominated individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

p.1

provider

The organisation was registered with Ofsted in December 2025.

p.1

This monitoring visit

A full inspection of the provider was carried out from 20 to 24 July 2026. Significant shortfalls and regulatory breaches relating to children’s safety and leadership and management were identified. These failures placed children at risk of harm. Ofsted issued a notice to restrict the accommodation. Three compliance notices were issued to improve the safety and support that children receive and the leadership and management of the service.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 3 September 2026, Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit. The purpose of this visit was to assess the provider’s progress in meeting the steps identified in the compliance notices and to review the notice restricting the accommodation.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The provider has complied with the restriction notice. No children have moved into the premises since it was issued. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Oak Tree Meadows 2 The provider has recruited a new proposed nominated individual since the full inspection. The proposed nominated individual has been in post for a month. A deputy manager has also been recruited, but they have not commenced working for the organisation yet. Both the nominated individual and deputy manager have experience of managing and working in supported accommodation.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The provider has reviewed their recruitment records to ensure they are following safer recruitment processes. For one member of staff who had been dismissed from a previous employer, the provider has now verified the information provided. There is a recruitment matrix in place to collate and monitor the process.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The provider has developed a system that enables leaders and managers to monitor and audit the service delivery and quality of practice effectively. This includes ensuring that children’s risks and support plans are up to date and reflect children’s current and emerging risks. All children’s files are audited fortnightly. The audit reviews children’s files as well as health and safety tasks. Any issues identified by managers are shared with staff to complete, with clear timescales for actions identified. Following this, the leaders and managers re-audit to check that actions have been progressed.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children’s risk assessments and support plans are kept up to date, and they include the manager’s comments and signature. Children’s plans reflect information from referral forms and local authority care plans. In addition, the independent living skills booklets are also incorporated into the support plans. The support plans inform staff on the direct-work sessions to complete with children.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children’s views are captured in their support plans and through direct-work sessions. Children’s views are also ascertained through house meetings and questionnaires. The referral and admissions policy considers children’s participation in their support plan during placement planning meetings.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff have accessed training that is relevant to children’s needs and risks. Staff’s learning from training is discussed and reflected in team meetings and supervision. The organisation’s safeguarding and complaints policies have been discussed in team meetings to ensure staff have a good understanding of how they are used in practice.

p.2

This monitoring visit

All staff have received supervision since the last inspection, with dates set for the next supervision sessions. Staff report that since the new proposed nominated individual started, they have received clear direction on service delivery and how children should be supported by the service.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff have shown better understanding of children’s risks. Incident reports and records of direct-work sessions demonstrate that staff have been able to recognise risks, which have been escalated appropriately both internally and externally. Debriefs and direct work have been undertaken with children to support their Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Oak Tree Meadows 3 understanding of risks and how to keep themselves safe. Staff alert managers of incidents through their electronic system; these are reviewed daily and records are signed by managers.

p.2

This monitoring visit

When children’s needs or risks increase, managers and leaders raise their concerns with the placing authority to review the support offered. For one child, this included requesting waking night support for a short period of time to support the child after an incident occurred.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Although it is reported that the proposed nominated individual and service manager will have responsibility for decision-making about admissions, this is not reflected in the relevant policy. A template to assess the suitability of children’s needs and risks before being admitted to the service has now been created.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Overall, the accommodation is homely and nurturing. The hallway had a noticeboard, which could deter it from being welcoming. This was acknowledged by the provider and was removed during the visit.

p.3

This monitoring visit

Based on the improvements made by the provider, Ofsted has lifted the notice restricting the accommodation. The provider has also taken appropriate action to address the concerns in the compliance notices that were issued. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Oak Tree Meadows 4

p.3

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to follow up information received by Ofsted and/or to ensure that the supported accommodation provider was complying with regulation.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Oak Tree Meadows 5

p.4

Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Oak Tree Meadows Ltd

p.5

Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 263a Nottingham Road, Nottingham, NG7 7DA

p.5

Inspectors

Shelley Chowdhury, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Oak Tree Meadows 6 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.

p.5

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6