The ‘exceptional’ children’s home where children’s voices are ‘heard and valued’ and troubled kids ‘excel’

A kids’ home in Oldham has been praised for allowing youngsters in care to ‘flourish and thrive’ after an inspection by a government watchdog.

The home run by a small private provider, Mirage Adolescent Services Ltd, was inspected by Ofsted for the first time in November. 

In the recently published inspection report, social care inspector Sarah Oldham praised the ‘highly personalised care’ and how kids were treated with ‘dignity and respect’. 

Oldham said: “The level of care they receive enables them to flourish and thrive.

"Children consistently report that they are treated with dignity and respect and that their views and opinions are valued.

“Children are fully involved and consulted regarding their care plans.

"This helps them to understand their care journey.

"[And] Children report that they have formed positive and trusting relationships with the staff team.”

One child described the home to inspectors as their ‘extended family’, with staff helping youngsters to understand and manage emotions, as well as setting clear boundaries that ‘help them feel safe’. 

Another young person who previously lived at the home told the inspector: “I’m truly grateful for the beautiful days we shared and wonderful moments spent together.”  

Many kids in care struggle with regular school attendance and academic achievements, with one in five youngsters in care persistently absent from education.

But Oldham noted that kids at the home, run by Mr Farooq Ahmed, had excellent school attendance and were encouraged to achieve well in education by staff. 

The home provides a ‘warm, welcoming and homely environment’, according to the inspector, and staff ‘create a safe, predictable and nurturing’ atmosphere.

Children are fully involved in planning the décor for their bedrooms, which are ‘spacious and well equipped’. 

The only critique Oldham had for Mr Ahmed, who manages the children’s home, was that not all kids had a lockable space for personal items.

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