Children's home run by Jupiter Child Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 1 Registered provider: Jupiter Child Care 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 home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children are not protected their welfare is not promoted and the care and experiences of children are poor.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

While there has been some measurable progress for children, their overall lived experiences are extremely poor. Shortfalls in leadership and management have resulted in some poor safeguarding practices and the lack of management oversight has significantly impacted the quality of care experienced by children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Both children attend education regularly, which promotes their academic progress and personal development. However, managers do not understand children’s targets or attainment expectations. The children’s education, health and care plans and minutes from the most recent education meetings are missing. This does not support children’s learning or demonstrate aspirations for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff do not have all the relevant information required from children’s placing local authorities. The children’s plans include incorrect information about their nationality, as well as their mental health and emotional support needs. Managers have failed to identify these anomalies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children are supported to spend time with their family. However, there are no plans in place to inform staff of the family time arrangements and what is expected from them. Managers have failed to recognise this as unsafe practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff discuss different issues with children. However, these discussions do not always focus on what is important for the individual child. For example, staff do not engage in conversations about emotions and feelings with one child. This is a missed opportunity to provide support to help the child cope with difficult emotions and reduce distressing incidents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children are encouraged to have fun and take part in a variety of activities, such as football and gymnastics club. Since living in the home, the children have made friends locally and enjoy days out with staff.

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

Children are not safeguarded effectively and there are significant shortfalls in staff responding to allegations of harm as appropriate, and swift action is not taken. There are delays in sharing safeguarding information with professionals and the regulator. This does not ensure that children are safeguarded effectively or enable the regulator to have oversight of all concerns relating to the care and support of children.

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

Staff ensure that children receive first aid and appropriate medical attention when they have an accident. However, managers did not follow medical advice when a child was diagnosed with a skin infection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 3 Staff do not consistently support children to recognise and manage their feelings and emotions. Consequently, there are occasions when staff restrain children to ensure that they and others are safe. Staff do not record all incidents when children are restrained as required by regulation. Children do not always have an opportunity to talk to an adult independent of the incident about what happened.

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

Risk and behaviour support plans do not identify all known risks for children. The plans lack guidance for staff about how to support children and keep them safe, especially when travelling in the car. Despite this, staff are consistent in their approach to supporting children travelling safely.

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

Managers are unable to evidence that children and staff have taken part in a fire drill. This does not support the safety of staff and children in the event of a fire.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The leadership and management arrangements for the home are inadequate. The manager left their post before this first full inspection. The day-to-day management arrangements do not ensure that staff are provided with effective leadership and guidance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not understand the impact that the quality of care has had on children’s progress and experiences. They do not have effective systems in place to oversee practice in the home and the care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff are not provided with regular supervision as detailed in the statement of purpose and team meetings do not take place routinely. Staff are not provided with consistent opportunities to reflect on their practice and develop strategies to improve the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Management oversight is ineffective. Recording practices are poor and records do not provide sufficient detail to ensure effective oversight of staff practice. Records are not always written in a child-centred way and do not inform the care for children. Records are not signed by the author.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The assessments for considering new children moving into the home are poor. They do not evidence that all the children’s individual needs are considered alongside the staff skills and experience before children move in. Furthermore, assessments do not accurately reflect the children’s risks and vulnerabilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The independent person does not visit the home consistently as required by regulation. Therefore, opportunities for external scrutiny and evaluation of staff practice are missed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The statement of purpose is misleading as the information about staff skills and experience is not factually correct. The statement of purpose has not been reviewed or updated since the registered manager left the home. Consequently, the regulator does not have accurate information about the staff working at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 4 Due to the serious concerns raised during this inspection, the regulator issued the provider with compliance notices in respect of regulation 12, the protection of children, regulation 13, leadership and management and regulation 36, children’s case records. Ofsted will undertake regular monitoring of the home to ensure that these notices are met within timescales. Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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

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lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(f)(g)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that leaders and managers have oversight of all care and support for children, and that monitoring and review systems are used to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 30 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

*The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children’s plans contain all known risks and vulnerabilities. The plans must be reviewed regularly and detail clear guidance for staff to follow to keep children safe.

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The care planning standard is that children—

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receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home; 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 7 manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed;

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Requirement Due date

that, subject to regulation 22 (contact and access to communications), contact between each child and the child’s parents, relatives and friends, is promoted in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(d)(f))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that pre- admission assessments provide a clear rationale about how the needs of all children have been considered and if members of the staff team have the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to support children.

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The registered person must ensure that there are clear plans in place to support staff in facilitating children’s time with family.

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The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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positive responses to other children and adults.

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

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meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone; 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 8 communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)(ix))

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Specifically, the registered person must ensure that children are regularly supported to manage their feelings and emotions in appropriate ways.

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

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

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are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that delegated authority is held for all children and signed by all individuals who hold parental responsibility along with relevant statutory plans to inform the care for children.

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Requirement Due date

Care and support plans must be accurately completed, regularly reviewed, reflect children’s statutory care plans and contain children’s views and wishes. 30 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out—

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how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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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— 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 9 the name of the child;

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

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

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a description of the measure and its duration;

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

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

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

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

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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”)—

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has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all holds are recorded as required by regulation and that children and staff are spoken with about the measure.

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home and, so far as reasonably practicable, children are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire. (Regulation 25 (1)(d)) 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 10 Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff and children take part in regular fire drills and that this is clearly recorded and accessible.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each permanent appointment of an employee is subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation; and

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The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (1)(b) (4)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all staff receive regular supervision by a person with the appropriate experience and training. 30 November 2025

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The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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A notification made under this regulation—

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the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that there is no delay in informing Ofsted of significant incidents in the home. 30 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 11 When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to—

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HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(b) (4)(a)(b) (7)(a))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that an independent person is appointed to visit the home at least once a month and that the reports are shared with Ofsted.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the statement of purpose accurately details the skills and experience of staff. Additionally, revised copies of the statement of purpose must be shared with Ofsted. 30 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 12

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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: 2849775 13

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Jupiter Child Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 10 Boyes Brow, Liverpool L33 2DZ

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Inspector

Kelly McCurdy, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2849775 14 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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