Children's Home run by Good Foundations Limited in Wirral

Inspection report for children’s home: SC486165 1 SC486165 Registered provider: Good Foundations Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This private children’s home provides care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties. There were four children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2020.

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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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC486165 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/03/2023 Full Outstanding 20/04/2021 Full Good 02/03/2020 Full Good 05/12/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC486165 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Four children live in the home. Children are happy and have made progress. The home is spacious and presented to a high standard. One child said, ‘I love my room.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are cared for by a stable and experienced staff team. This supports children to build positive, trusting relationships with the adults who care for them. Staff are passionate about their work and create a positive environment that is calming for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their education. However, some children have poor attendance at school or arrive late. Children have a weekly timetable of activities and learning opportunities when they are not in school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff gain children’s views, wishes and feelings using a variety of tools. This ensures that children feel listened too. Children said that they know how to complain.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop and maintain relationships with those important to them. Family members are welcomed into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are generally well managed, and they are supported to attend appointments. Children eat a range of healthy foods.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to take part in activities of their choice outside the home. This has included holidays, trips to the cinema and go-karting.

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

Staff know the children well. They understand their risks and vulnerabilities. They spend time with children and, as a result, they develop strong and trusting relationships with them. Children said that they can talk to staff if they have a problem.

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

Each child has a risk management plan that helps staff to identify and manage their vulnerabilities. This includes clear actions for staff to follow when children go missing from home. Staff demonstrate that they understand and closely follow risk assessments.

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

Staff support children through engaging them in meaningful direct work. They treat children with dignity and respect. Staff address children’s risks and vulnerabilities and support them to make more positive choices. Inspection report for children’s home: SC486165 4 Behaviour support plans help staff to understand children’s behaviour and support positive change. Children are praised and receive incentives for doing well. Consequences are proportionate and fair.

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

Safer recruitment practice is followed and new staff working in the home receive an appropriate induction.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is on maternity leave. There is a committed interim manager in place. The interim manager is supported by an experienced deputy manager. Managers work together to ensure that children are provided with good- quality care in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said that they are supported in their roles and enjoy working in the home. Managers communicate with staff effectively and talk about children with empathy and warmth.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to understand and meet the children’s individual needs. For example, staff have completed training around self-harm, child exploitation and substance misuse. As a result, staff have a good knowledge and skill base to safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager communicates well with parents and professionals involved in the children’s care. One professional said, ‘The home is the best I work with in terms of communication.’ This means that concerns are escalated clearly and efficiently.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and appraisals. Team meetings include time for staff to reflect and learn from safeguarding incide nts.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Effective monitoring and auditing systems are in place. Managers advocate and challenge on behalf of children. This ensures that children have access to the services they need. Inspection report for children’s home: SC486165 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are in full-time education while they are of compulsory school age, unless their personal education plan contained within the care plan or other relevant plan states otherwise. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.14)

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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: SC486165 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Good Foundations Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Tower Quays, Tower Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside CH41 1BP

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Inspector

Cathy Trengove, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC486165 7 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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