Children's home run by New Start

Inspection report for children's home: 2832893 1 Registered provider: New Start

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties. This was the first inspection since the home was registered. At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2832893 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

During the inspection, the child living in the home spoke to the inspector.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home since it opened. The move was well planned and managed in a child-sensitive way. The child was able to spend time with staff members, have a sleepover and move their belongings in a measured way before they fully moved in. This has helped the child to adjust to living in their new home and supported them to settle in well.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to maintain their familial bonds. Staff and the manager have formed positive relationships with some of the child’s family members through sharing regular updates and photos. Family members have been able to visit the home, which gives the child a sense of normalcy.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and the manager are keen for the child to have new and exciting experiences. The child has recently enjoyed a caravan holiday. The child has been given the opportunity to take part in activities that interest them and has been able to join clubs in the local community. The provider holds regular events where children living in the provider’s homes are able to come together for activities. This has allowed the child to make new friends in a safe and managed way and aids the child’s social development.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of the child’s education needs. There is effective working with education professionals to try and improve the child’s outcomes. Staff ensure that the child’s achievements are celebrated. Staff support the child with homework and read with them at home, which aids the child’s learning and increases their confidence in education.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to lead a healthy lifestyle. The child had a very limited diet when they first moved into the home. Staff have encouraged the child to gradually try new foods, and they are now eating a variety of healthy meals. However, the manager has not taken steps to identify all health needs for the child in a timely manner.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming, safe and well maintained. The child has been able to personalise their bedroom with family photos, toys and soft furnishings. The child can express their feelings and wishes in a variety of ways.

p.2

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

The child is kept safe by staff who have a good understanding of their needs and vulnerabilities. While there have been no significant incidents involving the child, the manager has ensured that staff remain alert to potential risks. The staff regularly discuss safeguarding scenarios, which avoids complacency in the staff team. Inspection report for children's home: 2832893 3 Staff care for the child using a range of therapeutic techniques. This promotes a calm and non-confrontational culture. The child is given support to understand their emotions and positive praise to build their self-esteem and self-worth.

p.2

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

Medication is managed safely in the home. When accidents happen, the child is supported by staff swiftly, who administer first aid as necessary.

p.3

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

Staff are knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures and know how to escalate concerns, including to external safeguarding agencies. However, safer recruitment practices have not always been followed. In one case, a full employment history has not been provided by a member of staff.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. He has responsibility for another home in the organisation. The manager is supported by an experienced responsible individual. Their practice is child centred and they are aspirational for the child and the service.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child is cared for by a stable staff team and there has been limited use of staff from other homes. This ensures consistency for the child and allows them to form strong bonds with staff. However, the manager has not always ensured that his working hours are fully recorded on the rota. This means that staff are not always fully aware of when the manager is available for support.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has ensured that staff have the skills to meet the needs of the child, including any new needs that emerge. New members of staff complete a thorough induction and probation period before being enrolled to complete a recognised childcare qualification.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff state that they feel supported by the management team. There are regular team meetings, which are used for discussion and to embed learning. Staff receive regular supervision sessions, which allow them to reflect on and develop their practice. Inspection report for children's home: 2832893 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

p.4

Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

p.4

Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.4

Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that they have a full overview of the child’s health needs. When there is conflicting information regarding health needs, all steps must be taken to confirm a diagnosis. 30 October 2025

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.4

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.4

Requirement Due date

The requirements are that— 30 October 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2832893 5 full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(d))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that a full employment history is obtained for all members of staff. Additionally, any gaps in employment must be fully explored and analysed.

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that management presence at the home and their working hours are clearly recorded on the staffing rota. Regulations 35 to 39 detail the records that must be kept in children’s homes. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

p.5

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: 2832893 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: New Start Limited, 179 Townsend Lane, Clubmoor, Liverpool L13 9DY

p.6

Inspector

Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2832893 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7