Fire at kids’ home prompts Ofsted inspection

A children’s home in Oldham has come under scrutiny from a government watchdog after a child’s room went up in flames.

A fire started in one of the rooms of a home run by Brooks and Brooks Recruitment Ltd, leaving scorched furniture, though no one was harmed. 

An inspection by education and care inspectors Ofsted visited the home, which looks after three kids. The visit was prompted by ‘emerging risks associated with fire safety and concerns about the poor state of children’s bedrooms’, the report states. 

Manager Jade Andrews and staff were praised for ‘responding promptly’ and working with the children afterwards, expressly banning lighters, incense sticks and drug paraphernalia from the house. 

But assessor Cheryl Field also noted: “One child’s bedroom still has burn marks to furniture that require addressing, and another child requires ongoing support and encouragement from staff to help to keep their bedroom clean and tidy.” 

Some of the kids have been referred to substance misuse agencies and the youngster’s rooms have been searched to prevent future risk of fire. 
Another incident took place at the home shortly after the fire, which saw another child at the home admitted to hospital for an operation. 

Field wrote: “Separate to this fire setting incident, another child was admitted to hospital for an operation following an incident. Staff supported the child well during the duration of their stay in hospital. 

“The manager has taken steps to ensure that the child’s bedroom is free from risks and staff are closely monitoring the child’s behaviour and emotional well-being.” 

The home was rated ‘good’ overall at its previous inspection in the summer of 2025. Field celebrated how children ‘felt safe’ and were ‘actively involved’ in shaping their lives, such as having a say in menu planning. 

“Children mostly have positive relationships with each other,” Field wrote at the time. “They try to understand each other’s struggles and so there is not a bullying culture in the home.” 

But she also said that leaders and managers ‘required improvement’ after management failed to follow their own guidance after a child made a ‘serious allegation’. 

Brooks and Brooks Recruitment Ltd were contacted for comment.