Children's Home run by Exceptional Care Limited in St Helens

Inspection report for children’s home: 1247212 1 Registered provider: Exceptional Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private provider and offers care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. Three children can live in the main part of the house, and one child can live in the attached apartment.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, four children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since September 2024 and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: 21 November 2023

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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: 1247212 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/11/2023 Full Good 28/02/2023 Full Good 19/01/2022 Full Good 18/02/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 1247212 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, three children have moved out of the home and two children have moved in. Some of these moves have been unplanned or quicker than expected. Nevertheless, the staff have responded appropriately to minimise any negative effects on the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say that they enjoy living in the home, and they have all made good progress since they moved in. They get on well with each other and have strong relationships with the staff, based on mutual respect, trust and warmth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a large, detached property surrounded by farmland. It is decorated and maintained to a high standard, and the staff ensure that the children are involved in decisions about the decor. Children’s bedrooms are personalised, clean and well furnished.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children attend school and are doing well. However, one child is not currently attending. The staff worked hard to prepare the child for a return to school but this has been affected by change in their care planning. The staff and the child’s local authority are continuing to support the child ahead of their exams in the summer.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s relationships with their families have improved since living at the home. For some children, this has resulted in increased and unsupervised visits. The staff have developed positive relationships with families to benefit the children and support these important connections. Additionally, children have many opportunities to maintain and establish friendships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s talents and interests are encouraged and celebrated. Children’s artwork and trophies they have been awarded are displayed in the living room. Staff ensure that the children know they are proud of them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have regular conversations with children about their care. Children participate in their own reviews and receive support to voice any concerns or complaints that they have. The staff use innovative approaches to support children in understanding their emotions. Their genuine curiosity and playfulness have a significant effect on children and their development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well met. The staff ensure that children receive any outstanding or required treatment to support their physical well-being. Additionally, the staff receive support from the organisation’s therapist to promote children’s emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support older children in preparing for the next stage of their lives by following a detailed independence plan. The children work well with this process, which means they Inspection report for children’s home: 1247212 4 are learning important skills, including budgeting, cooking, using transport, and preparing for employment.

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

The children are supported by staff who know them well and understand their individual risks. Staff are guided by robust plans that are regularly reviewed. Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding children and follow procedures correctly. As a result, significant risks have reduced for children since living in the home.

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

It is rare for children to leave the home and not return. However, when they have, the staff have worked closely with others to ensure the children’s safe return, and children have been welcomed back by nurturing and responsive staff.

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

Several new members of staff have joined the team since the last inspection. While recruitment files include the required checks, the manager has not identified or explored the gaps in some staff members’ employment histories. This means that the manager cannot be assured of the staff’s suitability to work at the home.

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

Any concerns relating to staff practice are swiftly and appropriately addressed by the manager and shared with the relevant professionals to ensure that children are safe.

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

Staff support the children to manage their behaviour. Incidents are rare, as staff are skilled in de-escalating situations, using the training they have received.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff say that they feel supported by the manager and that the team is now more stable following several changes to the management of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager leads a committed and motivated team of staff who have high aspirations for the children and work with them and others to help them reach their full potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff receive a thorough induction to the home, which they say has provided them with the knowledge and confidence to support the children well. Additionally, supervision sessions benefit the staff by providing opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is confident in raising any concerns and, when appropriate, escalating them in the children’s best interests to ensure that they receive high-quality care from other professionals involved in their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are regular, and discussions are child focused. Actions are reviewed to ensure accountability and to assess their impact. The manager has good systems in place to ensure that she has a thorough oversight of staff practice and the children’s progress and experiences. Inspection report for children’s home: 1247212 5

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Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The 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.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to the registered person ensuring that all staff have a full employment history, together with a satisfactory explanation of any gaps in employment, in writing. 18 April 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: 1247212 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Exceptional Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Malthouse Business Centre, 48 Southport Road, Ormskirk L39 1QR

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Inspector

Kerri Lynch, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1247212 7 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

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