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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1242116 1 Registered provider: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

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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 local authority children’s home provides care for up to three children experiencing social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home, and both were spoken to.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2025.

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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: 3 December 2019

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: declined in effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1242116 2

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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: 1242116 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home reopened in January 2025, after a long period of being closed, two children who are siblings have moved in. The manager ensured that the children’s move was managed sensitively, with consideration of the children’s needs, wishes and feelings. The children have settled in well and see this as their home. A teacher said moves for one child ‘had been difficult, so to move [name of child] again was a worry. But it’s gone really well, we are surprised how quickly [name of child] settled, it’s a credit to the staff.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities in the home and local area. Staff help children to access local clubs and plan day trips. Staff have supported one child to design a sensory garden outside and encourage them to continue caring for the garden.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s health needs and ensure that children with additional health needs access the right support. Medication for health conditions is carefully administered in accordance with the guidelines provided by health professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children’s identity. Staff support children’s relationships with their families and involve them when the children move in. Children are helped to explore their individual learning needs and diagnosis. They can talk openly to staff about the impact that this has on their lives and develop positive self-awareness. Children are developing a positive sense of self.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children attend full-time education and have excellent school attendance. Staff promote additional learning through natural learning opportunities. They work closely with other professionals to support children’s education. Education professionals say that staff work well with them, attend all meetings and provide detailed reports when required. Children are enthusiastic about their education and new learning opportunities.

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

Children have quickly formed strong relationships with staff. Staff spend time with children and have an excellent understanding of their needs, wishes and feelings. Children talk openly about their daily lives without fear of being judged.

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

The manager ensures that safer recruitment principles are followed so that staff are safe and suitable to care for the children. Staff are supported through induction, which is reviewed over a six-month period. When concerns are raised about staff, the manager refers them to the appropriate agencies.

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

Individual risk assessments provide clear guidance for staff to follow and include warning signs to help reduce risk. Risk management plans are reviewed regularly to identify progress or emerging patterns. Staff also support children to understand potential risks. Inspection report for children’s home: 1242116 4 Staff promote positive behaviour through rewards and praise. Staff talk sensitively with them when incidents occur, to help them understand the expectations and consistently provide positive praise. Children understand the rules and expectations.

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

Although children do not go missing from home, staff understand what actions to take to help minimise and prevent the risk of this happening. The missing-from-home assessment is reviewed regularly and is clear.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team is led by an experienced and inspirational manager who has a clear vision. Children are kept at the centre of all practice. Staff are invested in this vision and focus on providing high standards of care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions, which they find helpful and supportive. They can discuss the care that they are providing to children, identify strengths and explore areas for improvement. Staff value this time. Discussions are reflective, child focused and consider staff’s ongoing development. The staff and manager are committed to improving practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff have created a warm and nurturing home. It feels like a family home, personalised to the children who live here. The manager ensures that the home is well maintained and free of damage. The children say that they like living here and that it is a ‘nice home.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff value the time that they spend together in team meetings. They reflect on the children’s needs and progress. Staff work well together to find solutions to improve the children’s lives. Staff challenge each other and reach a mutual agreement on decisions. Staff enjoy spending time here and are enthusiastic about their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has systems in place to ensure that the quality of care being provided is child-focused and supports staff progress. They value the oversight of the independent person and use the recommendations to improve practice. The manager talks to staff about areas of improvement and effectively challenges staff to improve the care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There were no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1242116 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: 1242116 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, 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: 1242116 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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