Children's Home run by Astar Care Group Limited in Wirral

Inspection report for children's home: 2785342 1 Registered provider: Astar Care Group 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

The home is owned by a private organisation. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in November 2024.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. The child spoke to the inspector about their experiences 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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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2785342 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have been welcomed into the home since it was registered. One child has recently moved out due to becoming an adult. Moves into and out of the home are well planned. The young person who recently moved out of the home said, ‘They [staff] have helped me with everything and more.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child said that they are happy living in the home, and they have built trusting relationships. The child lives in a homely, safe and loving environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s education and employment opportunities. One child has been out of school for a long period of time. They are supported by a tutor in the home, which has enabled the child to build their confidence and develop their social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff support children to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. Family members are welcomed into the home and staff are in regular communication. One parent said, ‘There is nothing they could do better.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and children spend time together enjoying positive activities. One child went on holiday abroad. This helps children to have positive memories and build their social skills and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff hold important conversation with children. Direct work undertaken with children is meaningful and responsive to the children’s needs. However, detailed conversations in relation to online safety have not been carried out. This limits the child’s knowledge and understanding of risks.

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

Children are effectively safeguarded. Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are understood by staff. The child’s risk plans are clear and detailed. They provide information for staff on how to help children if there are incidents.

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

Safeguarding incidents are dealt with effectively by staff and managers. However, one serious incident has not been notified, which limits the regulator’s oversight of practice in the home.

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

Staff understand the child’s healthcare needs. When children require additional professional support, this is prioritised. However, the manager has not ensured that they have up-to-date information on the child’s outstanding immunisations. Inspection report for children's home: 2785342 3 Children are supported and encouraged to take age-appropriate risks to help develop their confidence and independence skills. Staff support older child to have driving lessons and spend time out in the community.

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

Staff implement clear boundaries, structure and routine. Children receive a high level of nurture, which creates a space for children to feel emotionally safe.

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

The home is a welcoming and homely environment. However, the home’s external emergency lighting assessment has not been undertaken in line with the home’s policy.

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

Safer recruitment processes are in place to ensure that only adults who are safe to work with children are employed in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably skilled, child centred, caring and motivated. She also manages another home nearby. The manager is supported by a deputy manager. Together, they have clear oversight of the home to ensure that the children receive the best possible care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers ensure that staff receive an appropriate induction and regular, reflective supervisions. However, the manager is not having regular supervision in line with the home’s statement of purpose. This does not help the manager to have formal opportunities for reflection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly, providing opportunities for staff to reflect on the children’s care. This improves consistency in staff’s practice. Staff benefit from regular training opportunities. However, not all training identified to meet the child’s needs has been undertaken by staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Collaboration with multiple agencies is a notable strength in the home. Professionals speak highly of the manager and staff. One social worker said, ‘The communication is outstanding, and they helped [Name of child] with a new outlook and direction.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are proud to work in the home. They work well together and are committed to improving outcomes for the children. Staff speak highly of the managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have effective internal and external monitoring systems in place. Children’s records are maintained to a high standard. This ensures that there is continuous improvement in the care being delivered by the team. Inspection report for children's home: 2785342 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are helped to manage their own safety inside and outside of the home. Staff should help children to understand how to protect themselves and feel supported and protected when online and using electronic devices. (Guide to Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 43, paragraph 9.9)  The registered person should ensure that when a child requires additional health support in relation to their immunisations, they should work with the child's placing authority to ensure that the child's health needs are met. (Guide to Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 34, paragraph 7.10)  The registered person must ensure that they comply with relevant health and safety legislation, including fire safety. ('Guide to Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that they work in partnership with all those who

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Recommendations

play a role in protecting and caring for the child. Specifically, information should be shared with Ofsted when concerns have been identified on social media and considered serious. ('Guide to Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 11, paragraph 2.3)  The registered person should ensure that they have systems in place so that the manager receives supervision of their practice on a regular basis in line with the home’s statement of purpose. ('Guide to Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand and can meet the needs of each child, in line with their responsibilities. The registered person themselves will need to have a high level of understanding of the needs of the children in their care. (Guide to Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 52,

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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: 2785342 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Astar Care Group Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 5a Warbreck Avenue, Liverpool L9 4RL

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Alexander Dingle

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Inspector

Michelle Snape, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2785342 6 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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