Children's Home run by Phoenix Care & Education Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727794 1 Registered provider: Phoenix Care & Education Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It provides care for up to four children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Inspection date: 25 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 6 September 2023

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Inspection date: 25 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 25 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727794 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children trust the manager and staff team and have developed positive and trusted relationships with them. Staff place children at the centre of their practice. When children struggle to manage their feelings, staff seek additional specialist support. If children decline this support that has been put in place, staff use alternatives, such as completing life-story work. This supports children to understand and make sense of their experiences.

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Findings from the inspection

Most children are attending school and are thriving in their educational placements. However, one child has been recently excluded from school. The manager and staff have put in place alternative educational activities. Staff ensure that the child continues to have a structured routine, and they sit with the child to complete schoolwork. The manager has escalated their concerns about the lack of educational placement for the child to ensure that a formal plan to support the child’s learning from a qualified professional is put into place.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff have a detailed knowledge of who is important to the children. Children’s friends and families are welcomed into the home. Children regularly have friends to stay overnight. The manager and staff have positive relationships with children’s friends and families. They ensure that necessary checks are completed so that arrangements are safe. This supports children to feel a sense of permanence and belonging at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand their roles and responsibilities in ensuring that children are safe. If a child goes missing from the home, staff follow the child’s individual risk assessment and act quickly, carrying out local area searches and visiting any known addresses of the child’s family and friends. Additionally, staff will continue to try to make contact with the child when they are away from the home. This means that children have not been missing from the home for prolonged periods.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff team have strong relationships with professionals, such as school staff, social workers and independent reviewing officers. Social workers are provided with detailed weekly reports so that they understand the progress the children are making.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has clear monitoring processes in place. Children’s plans are reviewed each month. This means that the manager has a clear overview of children’s progress and can identify any additional support that is required for each child.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager and deputy manager have addressed the previous requirements and recommendations. Staff training has been provided Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727794 3 specifically in relation to children going missing from the home. There is now a consistent and proactive response to this. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727794 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727794 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Phoenix Care & Education Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 22-24 Balfour Road, Bootle L20 4NZ

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Inspector

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2727794 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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