Children's home run by Gradan Care Limited

Inspection report for the children’s home: 2823253 1 Registered provider: Gradan Care 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

The home is owned by a private provider and can provide care for up to one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This was the first inspection of the home since it was registered with Ofsted on 23 May 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of the inspection. The child spoke to the inspector about their experience of living in the home.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for the children’s home: 2823253 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers ensure that children’s moves into the home are positive. When the child currently living in the home was anxious about moving in, staff supported them with great understanding and patience. The child was able to talk about their worries with staff. As a result, the child has settled into the home and is forming trusting relationships with the people caring for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff ensure that the child’s views and wishes are heard. The child’s voice is central to care reviews, and they have the support of an advocate. When the child expressed to the registered manager that they would like staff to communicate with them in a different way, she responded with curiosity and an open mind. Staff then implemented this feedback, which has strengthened their relationship with the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are skilled in planning and engaging the child in education. The child does not currently attend formal education. Staff have established routines for the child, which include alternative structured education. This involves a combination of online learning and visits to local museums. The child is gaining crucial skills for their future and is motivated to return to a formal education setting.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the child to choose and take part in meaningful activities. The child has recently taken part in a charity bike ride across North Wales, and volunteers at a homeless shelter on a weekly basis. The child’s achievements are celebrated by staff, who talk about them with pride. This supports the child’s social development and promotes their emotional well-being.

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

Care planning by managers is thorough. The manager has a clear understanding of the skills held by both her and her team. She takes a professional and assertive approach to reviewing referrals to ensure that only children whose needs they can meet move into the home. This ensures that the risks for the child are effectively managed by the staff.

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

Staff have a clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. They have undertaken training that is relevant to the child’s needs, as well as additional coaching from managers. They know how to identify risks and the actions they need to take to ensure that the child is safe.

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

Managers and staff have built effective communication links with local professionals. This helps them to understand current risks in the local community. Managers arrange for additional training for staff based on this information. This ensures that staff can support the child to stay safe in their local area. Inspection report for the children’s home: 2823253 3 Staff follow the guidance in the child’s risk plans to ensure the child is safe. The plans clearly communicate strategies of support that staff can use to help the child. However, some strategies limit the opportunities for the child to take age-appropriate risks and develop their skills to keep themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been significant changes in the senior leadership of the home since its registration. This includes the appointment of a new responsible individual who has significant experience in residential childcare. Prior to the child moving into the home, there were concerns raised by some staff that a culture of transparency had not been fully embedded. The new responsible individual and registered manager have taken action to address these issues and there is now a positive safeguarding culture firmly established within the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are dedicated to their caring responsibilities and fulfil their roles with enthusiasm. They value the knowledge and experience of the registered manager, who coaches them effectively. One member of staff said, ‘The way she leads the team is amazing, she is inspiring and an amazing role model.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers create an inclusive environment. They explore ways to encourage staff and the child to share their ideas and take an active role in developing the progress of the home. The child lives in an environment where they can see positive changes happening as a result of sharing their views.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have effective oversight of the home. Managers use information recorded by staff to ensure that they are targeting their strategies of support effectively. Any training needs for staff are quickly identified and addressed. Staff practice is continuously developing to reflect the needs of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a strong culture of therapeutic practice in the home. Managers ensure that staff have a good understanding of how the child’s previous experiences may impact on their current behaviours. Additionally, the provider has commissioned a therapist to work alongside staff and directly with the child. This ensures that their care of the child is trauma informed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervisions and appraisals are well organised between managers. Staff are provided with a reflective space to evaluate their practice. However, staff appraisals do not always include feedback from other professionals living in the home. This limits the opportunities for staff to gain insight into their areas of development from an alternative perspective. Inspection report for the children’s home: 2823253 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff take reasonable precautions and make informed professional judgements based on the individual child’s needs and developmental stage about when to allow a child to take a particular risk or follow a particular course of action. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff appraisals take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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 the children’s home: 2823253 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Gradan Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hanover Buildings, 11-13 Hanover Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L1 3DN United Kingdom

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Inspector

Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for the children’s home: 2823253 6 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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