Children's home run by Carehome Limited in Liverpool

Inspection report for children’s home: SC044276 1 SC044276 Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates : 13 and 14 August 2025

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC044276 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19 June 2024 Full Good 20 June 2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 8 March 2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25 March 2022 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC044276 3

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outstanding

Children feel loved by the adults who care for them. One child showed the inspector a daily affirmation sticker above her bed. She pointed at the affirmation, ‘I am loved’, and said that this is her favourite. These small but meaningful gestures from caring adults help children build a strong sense of self-worth. Children are reminded each day that they can achieve. They talk excitedly about learning for the first time how to ride a bike, tie their shoelaces, sing and dance in the garden and park and catch a ball. These moments develop into lasting memories for children.

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outstanding

Children receive tailored therapeutic support, delivered in a therapeutic framework that guides every aspect of their care. This structured approach enables children to flourish, reaching key developmental milestones and building emotional resilience. The team regularly participates in reflective consultations facilitated by an independent therapeutic practitioner to ensure that the right levels of support are consistently provided. A team member referred to this model’s impact as ‘revolutionary’.

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outstanding

All the children are in education, and they achieve excellent attendance. Adults hold high aspirations and consistently encourage the children’s learning in the home. Adults think creatively when they are educating children about topics that are relevant to their needs. They use a range of resources to support children’s self- development. Adults consider the environment to support children’s learning, such as engaging in positive self-esteem work on yoga mats in the local park.

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outstanding

The adults are committed to supporting children in achieving their long-term goals, with a strong focus on securing positive outcomes. Moving on from the home can create high levels of anxiety for the children. This anxiety is reduced as agreeable transition plans are in place. The staff continue to support the children after they have left the home. One child successfully moved to live with foster parents. The adults prepared them well for this significant change in their life. They are extremely happy and settled, and they continue to provide the home with updates about the new and exciting experiences they have in their life.

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outstanding

The team maintains positive relationships with significant people in children’s lives. A parent said that one of the adults is like a father figure to her child. A social worker said that the care provided to her child exceeds all expectations. These relationships provide children with consistent support networks that will benefit their future.

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outstanding

Children have clear plans to keep them safe. Adults caring for children have a very good understanding of children’s needs and therapeutic strategies to reduce risk in Inspection report for children’s home: SC044276 4 their lives. Written documents about risks in children’s lives are written in a non- judgemental and empathetic manner.

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outstanding

Safeguarding incidents are rare. When an incident occurs, the adults respond proactively to ensure children’s safety and involve appropriate agencies. They follow safeguarding procedures, and there is good partnership working between the adults caring for the child and other agencies to keep children safe. Children are educated about risks in their lives to support them with risk reduction.

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outstanding

Children rarely experience negative reinforcement in the form of consequences. Positive reinforcement and reflection underpin the children’s care. Children learn about what they could do differently in the future if they are struggling. Adults remain consistent in their approach, and children put their learning into practice, resulting in children managing their emotions.

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outstanding

Children are occasionally physically held for their safety by the adults who care for them. This strategy is used as a last resort and is in line with policies and procedures. The management team helps children and adults to reflect on any incidents, and there is a high level of emotional support provided too.

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outstanding

Children confidently express their views and follow the complaints procedure. Adults listen to children and take their views seriously when they are unhappy. Adults provide a trauma-informed response to children following a complaint. This enables children to feel heard and continue to feel secure in their relationship with the trusted adults at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The management team is aspirational and truly makes a difference to children’s lives. The management team has built a team with a shared vision, which is to ensure that the children in the home feel loved and cared for. One child drew a picture during the inspection of what made her feel safe and settled. It was a picture of herself, a love heart and a chair with a smiley face. She said the deputy manager is like a chair; she makes her feel safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The team receives a high level of support from the management team. One team member said that the registered manager has made them who they are. Another said that the registered manager has believed in them since day one. This nurturing, supportive culture has created an innovative, stable team. This is complemented with a bespoke training offer to ensure that the team has the skills to meet the children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The team passionately advocates for the children in the home. It confidently challenges other agencies to ensure that children have consistent access to the services and systems they need. This proactive approach helps remove barriers and creates opportunities for children to thrive. By championing each child’s rights and well-being, the team plays a vital role in securing positive outcomes and brighter futures. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044276 5 The management team has established robust monitoring and review systems. Regular audits are firmly embedded across the entire team’s practice, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement at every level. This reflective approach enables the team to identify areas for development and consistently uphold a high standard of care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an ongoing plan to continuously ensure that the home’s decor meets the individual needs of each child. Although there has been a lot of progress made in this area, there is a need for the team to continue this journey. It is important that the management team remains current in its approach and avoids any institutionalised approaches to the home environment. Inspection report for children’s home: SC044276 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets children’s needs. The home should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than institutional impression. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: SC044276 7

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Minogue

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Inspectors

Carly Quinn, Social Care Inspector Michelle Edge, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC044276 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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