Children's home run by Good Foundations Limited in Wirral

Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 1 SC067771 Registered provider: Good Foundations Limited

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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 privately owned and provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home. All children were present during the inspection and spoke to the inspector about their experience of living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/08/2023 Full Good 09/08/2022 Full Good 22/06/2021 Full Good 02/07/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children make exceptional progress from their starting points. Children receive care and support from a committed, knowledgeable, skilled and motivated staff team. Managers and staff know the children exceptionally well, invest time in them, protect them and promote their welfare.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A key strength of the home is the staff’s ability to build genuinely warm and caring relationships with children. Listening to the children is an overarching principle in the day-to-day running of the home. The staff genuinely care about the children and have high aspirations for their outcomes. All children speak very positively of their relationships with the staff and about their experiences of living at the home. When children were asked about anything they would change to improve living in the home, they all said ‘absolutely nothing’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Transition planning is detailed and individualised for each child. Managers and staff are aware of the levels of anxiety for new children moving into the home and carefully consider the additional anxieties for children already living in the home. This anxiety is reduced due to the extensive planning and the individualised approach for each child. When children move on from the home, the staff continue to provide support and guidance as a good parent would. Children appreciate this ongoing level of support. All the children are in education or training, and they achieve excellent attendance and outcomes. One child achieved outstanding exam results and is taking part in an introduction to university course and another child successfully completed a painting and decorating qualification. Staff consistently promote the importance of education and support the children’s learning in the home. This is remarkable progress for most of the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

children, who have had a previous negative experience of education. The staff proactively seek advice from health professionals to support each child to meet their health needs. When children are hesitant to avoid health appointments, staff think creatively and complete direct work sessions to help children understand the importance of addressing their own health needs. This approach has ensured that all outstanding health appointments are now addressed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff understand the importance of family time and friendships for children. They proactively work with families and professionals to re-establish and promote family time for children. Friends from school and college are welcomed into the home. For some children, this approach has enabled them to increase their time with their families to include overnights, and for other children, new friendships have developed. This is promotes children’s self-esteem, confidence and understanding of their family dynamics. Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 4 Research-informed practice is consistently considered and used in day-to-day practice. This ensures that children’s progress and experiences are prioritised, and care practices are making an exceptional difference to the lives of children.

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

Safeguarding is seen as a priority at all levels of the organisation, with clear leadership and accountability structures. There is a holistic approach to each child’s well-being. Staff work with safeguarding professionals to ensure that children are safe and action is taken to minimise risks. This collaboration strengthens both early intervention strategies and longer-term care solutions. Effective safeguarding practices consider the child’s home environment, school life, and any previous experiences of trauma. This approach ensures that risks are understood, and appropriate responses are actioned.

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

Immediate action is taken when children raise a complaint or report a concern that means they may be at risk of harm. The manager and staff promptly report any concerns about children’s welfare to the appropriate safeguarding agencies. They work collaboratively with social workers, the police and the local authority designated officer to understand and manage risk and protect children. Throughout the child protection process, children are updated and detailed records are kept.

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

Comprehensive risk assessments identify potential and known risks for each child. These assessments are dynamic, regularly updated and involve multidisciplinary teams including social workers, healthcare professionals and educational staff. Risks such as neglect, abuse, exploitation and self-injurious behaviours are considered, and clear action plans are in place for early intervention.

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

Proactive strategies are in place to detect early signs of exploitation and radicalisation. Staff undergo regular safeguarding and risk management training. This includes recognising early warning signs of exploitation, bullying and radicalisation, as well as understanding the nuances of mental health issues, such as self-injurious behaviours. Additionally, child-focused training emphasises the importance of creating an empathetic environment where children feel safe to be able to report their concerns.

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

Staff establish clear, consistent boundaries that promote security for children. These boundaries are enforced in a positive, non-punitive way, ensuring children understand the reasons behind rules and the importance of respect for others. Rather than focusing solely on punitive measures, outstanding practice emphasises positive reinforcement, helping children feel valued and understood. This approach builds trust and contributes to each child’s sense of security.

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

Staff are trained in de-escalation techniques to ensure that they manage situations calmly without the need for physical intervention. This minimises the likelihood of confrontational situations, promoting a calm environment for all children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is enthusiastic and ambitious for each child in the home. This vision is shared by the deputy managers and the staff team. The registered manager and staff team ensure that every child has access to the necessary resources and support to achieve their full potential. There is a strong emphasis on individualised care, where each child’s unique needs and circumstances are considered when planning their development. This focus on high standards ensures that children are consistently supported to achieve positive outcomes in a supportive, structured environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A robust system of supervision and appraisal is in place to ensure staff are supported in their roles. Regular one-to-one sessions allow managers to offer guidance, address any concerns and identify opportunities for professional growth. In addition, safer recruitment processes are consistently followed and there is a high-quality induction process for new staff, along with continuous training programmes that are tailored to meet the specific needs of both staff and children. These programmes ensure that all staff are equipped with the skills necessary to provide the highest standard of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. Regular evaluations and reflective practices allow the management team to assess the effectiveness of care practices and consider developmental approaches. When weaknesses are identified, decisive and effective action is taken to rectify them. The registered manager demonstrates a strong commitment to improving the quality of care, continually striving to enhance the home’s overall performance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The management team takes an active role in challenging external services when responses are ineffective. This includes advocating for children’s needs when responses from other agencies, such as healthcare or educational services, are not meeting expectations. Managers will escalate concerns to ensure that children receive the appropriate support, and they collaborate with external services to develop solutions. This proactive approach demonstrates the management team’s commitment to ensuring that children receive comprehensive care that addresses all areas of their development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers actively promote values of tolerance, equality and diversity across all aspects of the home. Policies and practices are in place to ensure that children are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background, ethnicity, religion or personal circumstances. Staff are regularly trained in these values, and the home’s ethos is grounded in providing equal opportunities for all children. The commitment to equality and diversity is evident in the way children are supported and encouraged to celebrate their own identities and the identities of others.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers and the staff team place a great emphasis on the participation of children in decision-making processes. Children’s views are actively sought in discussions about their care or in the planning of activities. Regular consultations are held, and children are encouraged to share their views, which are taken seriously. This approach not only Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 6 empowers children but also ensures that their needs and preferences are at the centre of their care and development journey.

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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: SC067771 7

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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

Michelle Edge, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 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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