Children's Home run by Cheshire West and Chester Council in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for children’s home: 2547847 1 Registered provider: Cheshire West and Chester local authority

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a local authority (LA). It is registered to provide care for up to two children, who may be experiencing social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in the home at the time of this inspection. No children have moved in or out of the home since the last inspection. Both children were seen and spoken to during this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2021.

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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: 27 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: 2547847 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/02/2024 Full Good 21/02/2023 Full Good 26/07/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2547847 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm and welcoming, with personal touches that reflect the children’s achievements and interests throughout. However, some repairs have not been completed within a reasonable timeframe. The manager has escalated this with the local authority, and most maintenance issues are now resolved. As a result, children feel comfortable and relaxed in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children trust staff. Staff get to know children well and understand their needs. Children build positive, supportive relationships with the adults caring for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are being met. When they have specific needs, such as sexual or mental health support, staff ensure they receive the specialist help that they need. Children eat a balanced, healthy diet and learn about nutritious cooking. Children are healthy and happy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education remains a particular challenge for both children. However, staff tirelessly advocate in their best interests. Support and planning related to their education are consistently child focused.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff regularly talk to children about important topics. They show a genuine interest in children’s lives and experiences, prompting discussions that help children develop the skills and understanding they need to progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are having fun while learning important social skills. Both have made significant progress in their social development; one child recently went on a trip with the Scouts, while the other enjoyed a sleepover with a friend. Staff actively support children in building positive relationships with their peers.

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

There have been few incidents since the last inspection. The home provides a calm and settled environment where children feel safe.

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

Children enjoy a consistent approach to behaviour support. Each child has a detailed behaviour support plan, offering clear guidance for staff. Staff know how to support children’s behaviour positively. Social workers said that staff offer sensitive and compassionate care. Children receive nurturing, trauma-informed support.

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

Staff have had to hold children to keep them safe. This intervention has only been used as a last resort. On each occasion staff have completed important restorative work with the child to help them understand what happened and why. This approach helps to maintain children’s positive relationships with staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2547847 4 Staff use rewards and incentives effectively to promote socially acceptable behaviour and recognise children’s achievements.

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

Children rarely go missing from home. When children don’t come home on time, staff know what to do, including making sure that relevant professionals are kept informed. Children are always spoken to by an independent person when they come home to try to understand what has happened. Children’s risk of going missing has reduced.

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

Allegations are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Children are kept informed throughout the process. Children feel listened to and valued.

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

Before adults come to work in the home thorough background checks are completed to make sure that children are only cared for by safe and suitable adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team is led by a qualified and experienced manager. She encourages children to have high aspirations for their future. One social worker said, ‘[The manager] really champions what’s best for [the child].’ The virtual school said, ‘[The manager] isn’t afraid to challenge plans that aren’t in the children’s best interests.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers use systems that are effective to monitor care. They typically identify areas for improvement and take decisive action to improve the quality of care provided to children. The manager has strong oversight of staff practice, offering constructive feedback to support development. Children’s voices are heard and valued by staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported by leaders and managers. Staff said support is always available when needed. Feedback from professionals consistently highlights the manager’s dedication, noting that she goes above and beyond and prioritises the best interests of the children in her care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager keeps the premises risk assessment under regular review to ensure that the location of the home remains suitable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, useful training in relation to the needs of the children they are looking after. Staff develop a better understanding of children’s complex needs and have the skills to provide good quality care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2547847 5

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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: 2547847 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cheshire West & Chester Council, The Portal, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 0BA

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Inspector

Nicola Shaw, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2547847 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 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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