Children's Home run by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council in Knowsley

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1242116 1 Registered provider: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. No children were living in the home at the time of this inspection. The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2025.

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This monitoring visit

On 24 February 2020, Ofsted imposed a condition on this home under section 13 of the Care Standards Act 2000. The condition is that the registered person must inform Ofsted of their intention to accommodate children in the home at least three months before any child moves in. This was due to there being challenges in recruiting enough staff, and no children were living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

On 6 December 2024, the provider informed Ofsted of their intention to reopen the home. A monitoring visit took place on 7 January 2025 to consider removal of the condition.

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This monitoring visit

The home has undergone a full refurbishment. The children’s bedrooms are newly decorated in neutral colours and have new furniture. The layout downstairs has been rearranged and now provides more space for children to relax in. However, the home was registered for four children but only has three bedrooms. As part of lifting this condition, the registration has also been changed so that the home is only registered to care for up to three children. Leaders were in agreement with this change.

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This monitoring visit

The communal areas have also been fully decorated and have new carpets and furniture. The outdoor space includes a patio and an area of grass for children to play. There are plans to continue to improve this area over the warmer months. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1242116 2 The provider has recruited a new manager who was interviewed during the visit and is now registered. A new staff team has been recruited to care for the children in the home. The management team has overseen the recruitment to ensure that there is a balance of experienced staff and those new to the area of residential work. All members of staff have completed an induction that includes training to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to support the needs of the children in their care.

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This monitoring visit

Following this monitoring visit, a case review was held on 20 January 2025, where it was agreed that the condition could be removed. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1242116 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 07/05/2019 Full Good 12/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/02/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1242116 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1242116 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Children’s Regulatory Services, 1st Floor Nutgrove Villa, Huyton Municipal Building, c/o Postroom, Archway Road, Huyton, Merseyside L36 9YU

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Inspector

Sarah Probert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 1242116 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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Inspector

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Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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