Children's home run by Exceptional Care Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2630446 1 Registered provider: Exceptional Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to two children with social or emotional needs. One child was living in the home at the time of the inspection but was not present when the inspection took place.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024 but has not been working in the home since March 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2630446 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Two children have moved out and two children have moved in since the last inspection. Children who move out of the home are well supported and encouraged to be involved in planning their move. Staff created a memory book for one child, which included photos of their time at the home, and staff wrote individual letters to the child. This helps children experience positive endings and promotes positive self- worth.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s health needs are well met, and staff support their emotional well-being. Children can talk to staff about any worries that they have. Staff respond sensitively and without judgment. Referrals are made to external agencies, such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

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Findings from the inspection

The home is kept clean and tidy. The children’s bedrooms are nicely decorated and newly furnished. However, some areas of the home are not as homely or as welcoming an environment for children as others.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand risks well. Risk assessments are detailed and clear about what action staff should take to reduce risk. They include links to external resources to help staff educate children about risks. Staff understand how to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

When children go missing from home, staff take appropriate action. Missing-from- home plans include clear actions for staff to follow to help reduce and manage risk. Staff keep records of incidents. However, they do not always ensure that records are always accessible about the actions they have taken.

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Findings from the inspection

In the absence of the registered manager, the responsible individual and the deputy manager are supporting the team. Leaders and managers work well with external professionals. They review all relevant and current plans to fully understand the children’s needs and risks. When there are concerns about children’s safety, they challenge professionals and escalate requests for strategy meetings effectively. This ensures that risks for children are carefully considered and actions are taken to keep them safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Emerging patterns of risk are identified. The in-house therapist adds additional oversight of incidents, and lessons learned are shared with staff both individually and in team meetings.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have recruited new staff members to join the team. All staff are permanent and any gaps in the rota are either covered by permanent staff or bank staff who know the children. This ensures that there is a consistent staff team to care for children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2630446 3 All new staff completed training during their induction. Additional training has been provided to meet the children’s needs and develop the staff’s understanding and knowledge. An in-house therapist works with the staff to further develop their learning and improve practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The responsible individual ensures that they review incidents and provide an overall evaluation. There has been one serious incident since the last inspection that was unpreventable. This was reviewed very thoroughly, and leaders identified strategies to prevent it from reoccurring. This evaluation is reflective of the incident, and actions are clear. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2630446 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/04/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/04/2024 Full Inadequate 11/04/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2630446 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry.

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Requirement Due date

securely in the children’s home during the period when the child to whom the case records relate is accommodated there. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that records detailing the actions taken when a child goes missing from home are kept and stored safely. 10 September

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home environment is warm, welcoming and well maintained. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2630446 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

Sarah Probert, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2630446 7 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 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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