Children's Home run by Still Adventures Ltd in Sefton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2787363 1 Registered provider: Still Adventures Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a multi-build setting operated by a private provider. The setting operates across three properties, caring for up to three children who may require support with emotional or social difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The setting and manager were registered with Ofsted in February 2025.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in three of the homes. They were all spoken to.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2787363 2

p.1

Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2787363 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide good care to children who have previously experienced instability in their lives. Children’s transitions into the home have been thoughtfully considered, and staff have stuck with children during difficult times.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have provided children with positive experiences and consistency. This has built up children’s trust in the adults caring for them. One professional said, [‘It is] incredible care, and the only placement [name of the child] feels settled… been here over a year which is remarkable.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have missed out significantly on education because of past experiences and challenges in identifying provisions that can meet their needs. The organisation has begun a program of learning and skills development to bring education to the children. Staff with teaching skills and qualifications are utilised to provide planned sessions for all the children. Staff look at creative ways to engage children to learn by utilising their interests. One child has been supported to meet regularly with a specialist music provider. This is building their confidence and self-esteem through their love of music.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported with specific physical and mental health needs. The manager advocates strongly for children that require specialist intervention and health support. Staff know children’s needs and how to support them in times of crisis or because of health conditions. Children have access to a therapist, and this is a positive intervention. One child said, ‘This has really helped me, and I wish that I had this before.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to see their families. Staff ensure that distance is not a barrier to children having time with people important to them. Staff support family time to ensure children are safe when it becomes too difficult for them to manage. Staff are supporting children to have healthier relationships with their families.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to access the community and build relationships outside of the staff team. One older child is a positive role model for a younger child in a separate home who struggles to build positive peer relationships.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to express themselves and share their thoughts and feelings. Staff challenge children’s perceptions and views when they are concerning or harmful. Children are involved in their care because staff ensure that weekly catch ups take place. Staff approach meaningful discussions with children with sensitivity and care. Children are supported to explore their past experiences with staff in a planned and careful way.

p.3

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

Children have effective safety plans in place. Staff understand and follow plans at times when risks or concerns for children’s welfare increases. Plans are reviewed regularly and Inspection report for children’s home: 2787363 4 written in a way that helps staff understand what is expected of them. Incidents are responded to effectively by staff and managers. Information is communicated to the relevant professionals without delay. This ensures questions around how staff intervene to keep children safe can be fully explored.

p.3

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

The location of the homes is rural. This has had a positive impact on outcomes for children in terms of reduced access to inner city risk. One child has almost completely stopped using cannabis and another child no longer vapes. Children choose not to attempt to go missing from care. This is in part because of the safe and secure care they receive.

p.4

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

When children have made allegations, these have been managed effectively. The manager ensures that concerns are thoroughly investigated and works effectively with professionals to safeguard children. Issues with staff practice in the reporting of concerns has been identified. The manager addressed this effectively as an area for development for the staff team.

p.4

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

Restraint has been used during incidents where higher levels of intervention are required to keep children safe. The use of restraint has been proportionate to the risk. Incidents are reviewed and when there are concerns relating to how staff intervene, this is shared with professionals for review. Children and staff are provided with opportunities to reflect and discuss incidents of restraint. This practice fosters a culture of learning about the understanding of children’s behaviours. Safe practice is a priority for the manager, and all staff are trained in physical intervention and de-escalation techniques.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The homes are led by an experienced manager. The manager is focused on good outcomes and improving the lives of children. The manager is engaged in the development of the service and improving the leadership structure across the three homes. The homes all have deputies in place and the manager is developing their skills and experience to be more accountable for the individual settings. Time for this development is sometimes affected due to all managers being required to cover shifts and shortfalls in staff. Vacancies in the staff team are being actively recruited for.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Record-keeping by the manager is not always effective. The transition from paper-based to electronic systems has created issues in how oversight and reflection is captured. This was significant in the case of a restraint where staff used an intervention they had not been trained in. Although professionals were satisfied the intervention was required to keep the child safe, the manager has not effectively recorded all required aspects of the incident.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager does not have final oversight of safe recruitment checks for new staff. In some cases, checks have been completed by an external agency. This does not assure the person responsible for employee checks that staff are safe to work with children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787363 5 The systems in place for monitoring the quality of care are not effective. The responsible individual for the homes is stepping back from the role and has not been able to provide the support the manager requires to review their practice. The independent visitor who produces monthly analysis of the service is not providing an effective process to support the manager’s development of the homes.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff are happy and feel supported in their roles and with their development. They report that they can approach managers for support or when they have concerns. Opportunities for staff to reflect individually or as groups are regular and effective. Staff have access to training to meet the needs of the children they care for. However, there are some staff who have yet to complete required courses. Specialist training to support a child with acute health needs lacks quality. The manager is pursuing this and challenges delays. Senior staff have undergone training to deliver to the team.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Professionals gave unanimous positive feedback for the homes and the staff. They say that children have made significant progress since moving to the homes. Professionals say that the manager communicates regularly and effectively and that they never feel out of touch with the children’s care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787363 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.6

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h)) 31 August 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2787363 7 The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.6

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)(3)(d)) 31 August 2025

p.7

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

p.7

Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

p.7

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.7

Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

p.7

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

p.7

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

p.7

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that 31 August 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2787363 8 they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

p.8

Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

p.8

Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires;

p.8

Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

p.8

Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a) (4)(a)(b) (5) 31 August 2025

p.8

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: 2787363 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Still Adventures Ltd

p.9

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Philip Pendleton

p.9

Inspectors

Chris Haines, Social Care Inspector Rachael Sprigg, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2787363 10 regulates and inspects to 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.

p.9

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.10