Children's Home run by Barnardo Services Limited in Liverpool

Inspection report for children’s home: 2541467 1 Registered provider: Barnardo’s

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a registered charity. Staff provide care for up to four children who may be experiencing social and emotional issues. The home operates under a contract arrangement with the local authority in which it is situated.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of inspection there were four children living in this home. The inspector spoke to all four children during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 15 February 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2541467 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/02/2024 Full Good 05/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/04/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2541467 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are happy living in this home. Two children said they would like to remain in the home for as long as possible. One child said, ‘The staff are really nice, and they [staff] are there for you and really care about you.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a warm and welcoming environment, which enables children to feel relaxed and comfortable. Children have been supported to personalise their bedrooms. Shared spaces are homely and inviting. On returning home from school, children are visibly happy to see staff and keen to share details about their day.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children trust the adults who care for them and feel confident that staff will always act in their best interests. Children said they know they can approach staff to discuss their concerns or worries. As a result, they feel valued and supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are engaged in education. Staff actively encourage children to pursue their aspirations and develop lifelong goals. Staff support children to develop a belief in their ability to achieve their dreams.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's views are valued and respected. They have been involved in key initiatives such as staff recruitment and the ‘young inspectors’ programme. These opportunities help children develop confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to lead healthier lives. For example, one child who previously lacked an understanding of basic nutrition has been supported to plan their own meals. Staff support children to develop essential life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote positive family relationships for children. Staff work collaboratively with another children’s home to make sure one child and their siblings can see each other regularly. Staff make sure these interactions are meaningful and enjoyable. Another child has been supported to build and maintain a strong relationship with their relatives over a long distance. Children are being supported to understand their identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are highly effective advocates for children, promoting their rights and ensuring their voices are heard. This approach has led to tangible benefits, such as securing the right medical treatment for one child and additional educational support for another. Staff understand children’s individual needs well and make sure they are being met.

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

Staff have a thorough understanding of how to keep children safe. They are confident in describing the steps they would take to protect children from harm in a range of safeguarding scenarios. A strong safeguarding culture is embedded within the team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2541467 4 Children are actively involved in their own safety planning. Staff listen to children’s views about how best to support them and keep them safe. This collaborative approach to safeguarding enables staff to meet the individual needs of children.

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

Incidents of children going missing from the home are rare. When children do stay out longer than agreed, staff take swift and appropriate action to locate them and ensure their safe return. Staff take time to understand the reasons behind such incidents, helping to reduce the likelihood of children going missing again.

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

Staff show professional curiosity about emerging risks to children. For instance, when one child faced challenges related to substance use, staff adopted a proactive and non- judgemental approach to understand their experiences. Staff also effectively use community resources to support the children. Staff help children to develop personal strategies for staying safe.

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

Staff have not had to physically hold children to keep them safe. Staff understand children’s behaviours and employ consistent de-escalation strategies, which successfully prevent crises. On one occasion, the police were called to support staff in managing a situation, but this was a proportionate and last-resort response to ensure everyone’s safety. Children trust staff to keep them safe.

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

Staff carry out regular, targeted work with children on important topics. Managers have good oversight of this work. As a result, children are supported to make sense of their life experiences, build emotional resilience, and develop key life skills.

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

Children are encouraged to take age-appropriate risks. Children enjoy a safe level of independence, including travel and spending time with friends.

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

Staff understand the risks associated with children’s online activities. They provide supervision and guidance to ensure children can use the internet and technology safely while enjoying its benefits.

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

Generally, appropriate checks are completed before any adult comes to work at this home. On one occasion a gap in an employee’s work history had not been thoroughly explored. Leaders and managers cannot be assured of a candidate’s suitability without a full history.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager provides strong and effective leadership, fostering a culture of high aspirations and positivity within the home. This ethos is evident throughout the staff team, who are equally dedicated and motivated to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff consistently express positive views about the management of the home. They report feeling well-supported. Staff particularly value the accessibility of leaders and managers, who are always available to provide advice and guidance. Inspection report for children’s home: 2541467 5 The manager is held in high regard by external professionals and has developed effective working relationships with a range of agencies. One social worker said, ‘The care provided has really changed [name of the child] into the [name of the child] he wants to be.’ Professionals unanimously praise the home’s exceptional communication and describe the care provided as nurturing and child centred.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers ensure that children experience a well-planned and supportive move into the home. Referrals are carefully considered to ensure children’s needs are understood and can be met. Children experience stability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular and reflective supervision, which supports them to deliver high-quality care. This process enables staff to continually improve their practice and meet the needs of the children effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has completed a quality-of-care review; however, this was not sent to the regulator. This limits the effectiveness of external oversight. Inspection report for children’s home: 2541467 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (3)(d)) 9 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality-of-care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality-of-care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality-of-care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1) (4)(a)) 9 March 2025

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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: 2541467 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Barnardo House, Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford, ESSEX IG6 1QG

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Inspector

Nicola Shaw, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2541467 8 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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