Children's home run by Care Assist Children’s Services Limited in West Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC061678 1 SC061678 Registered provider: Care Assist Children’s Services 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

This privately run children’s home offers care for four children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, four children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC061678 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2024 Full Good 19/04/2023 Full Good 01/04/2022 Full Good 07/12/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: SC061678 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The house has a warm, welcoming homely feel. This promotes the children’s sense of safety and belonging. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their individual tastes and interests. Children’s bedrooms are maintained to a good standard, providing children a comfortable and a private space they can take pride in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who are new to the home are supported by staff, who encourage them to take part in daily routines and activities, such as meal planning and cooking. These opportunities help promote children’s independence skills for later life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are receiving education and making progress. One child, who is not attending school, is supported to complete educational activities throughout the day, and they play in a football team, which allows them to spend time with their peers from school. This is also being used to encourage the child to return to school. Another child has achieved a milestone in education, having successfully completed their examinations. They are now attending college and a work placement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have lived at the home for a long time, benefiting from stable and consistent care. When the time comes for them to move on, this is planned carefully with the child, placing authority and other professionals. Staff provide strong emotional and practical support to help ensure that transitions are positive, well-managed and at the right pace for the child. Children maintain regular communication with staff after they have left.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s life stories are thoughtfully captured in a memory book, which documents key moments, such as awards, celebrations, outings and experiences. These books allow children to look back on their time in the home with fondness and pride.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to understand the decisions made about their future in relation to where they live. Staff ensure that children feel informed, involved and listened to. Staff have ensured that one child has an independent advocate to explore alternative options and ensure that the child is supported.

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

Incidents for children are rare. When there have been concerns in relation to children accessing adult materials online, staff responded promptly by implementing measures to prevent recurrence. Staff talk with children to help them understand their curiosity, while teaching them about boundaries and how to stay safe online. This positive and open approach has created a supportive and educational atmosphere, and as a result, no related incidents have occurred since.

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

Children who have been missing from home are encouraged by staff to return. Staff have responded appropriately, in line with children’s agreed safety plans. Staff complete Inspection report for children’s home: SC061678 4 area searches and contact individuals known to children. Children are provided with an opportunity to speak to an independent person when they return.

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

Children new to the home are always welcomed with sensitivity. The needs and feelings of other children in the home are considered throughout. Leaders and managers ensure that relevant information is obtained from families and professionals to consider any specific risks and impact on the children already living in the home. The manager makes sure that staff have the necessary skills to safeguard and care for children.

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

Children are supported to maintain strong relationships with their families. Staff recognise how important these bonds are and warmly welcome family members into the home. Where needed, visits are sensitively supervised to ensure that children’s time with their families is safe.

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

Leaders and managers ensure that staff who are new to the home are recruited safely, so they are suitable to care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have high expectations for children, and they are ambitious about children’s futures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children are settled, and incidents are rare due to the cohesive work of staff in managing behaviour and providing consistent emotional support. Their ability to de-escalate situations calmly and confidently means challenges are handled effectively before they escalate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are used as valuable opportunities to reflect on children’s progress, share observations and ensure consistency across the team. They also provide a space to consider the impact of staff training, including county lines and exploitation, and how this is applied in everyday practice. Discussions help to identify emerging risks and ensure that any concerns are promptly addressed and responded to effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision and appraisal give staff the chance to reflect on their practice, identify learning and develop their skills. This enriches the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has implemented new systems to monitor and review the progress children are making. These have been shared with staff to ensure consistent understanding and effective use in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders, managers and staff have strong relationships with professionals and parents. Professionals and parents speak highly of the care provided to children. One parent said, ‘[Name of child] has come on marvellous since living at the home. Staff go above and beyond to support me.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC061678 5

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: SC061678 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Care Assist Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 21, C/O Fischer Crowne, 21 Cheapside, Merseyside, Liverpool L2 2DY

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Inspector

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC061678 7 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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