Children's Home run by Oneness Children’s Care Limited in Liverpool

Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 1 Registered provider: Oneness Children’s Care Limited 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. The home is registered to provide care for one child who may have emotional and social difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home at the time of this inspection. The child was not spoken with during this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post has been vacant since 26 December 2024. A new manager has been appointed and has applied for registration with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has appointed a responsible individual, and we are currently undertaking checks to ensure that this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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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/or widespread failures that mean children are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: 29 January 2025

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/01/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

One child has been living at the home since it was registered. The child has made measurable progress in some areas of their life. Despite this, significant shortfalls in the child’s care records make it difficult to gain a full understanding of the quality of care provided to the child, and the child’s experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Shortfalls in leadership and management have resulted in some poor safeguarding practices. Failings in the management oversight of the quality of care experienced by the child have meant that leaders and managers have not been aware of all aspects of the child’s day-to-day experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Since the last inspection, there has been a high turnover of staff. There have been three interim managers in post and significant changes to the staff team. This impacts on the child’s ability to form trusting relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child has made some progress in their education. They have moved from online tutoring in the home to spending a small number of hours having face-to-face teaching in the community. The child has requested that these hours are increased further. This is significant as the child has been out of formal education for a prolonged period of time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child, who is not from the local area, has made links in the community. They now attend the local Army Cadets group. Through this group they have built a number of positive friendships. The child spends time with these friends at the local skate park, and this is helping them to develop social skills and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff help the child to maintain relationships with their sibling and other family members. They support the child to spend time with their family enjoying activities in the community. This ensures that the child continues to develop these important lifelong relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The home provides the child with a safe and secure environment. However, the communal areas of the home are not personalised to reflect the interests of the child or the staff team. The back yard of the home does not provide a pleasant outside space that the child can enjoy spending time in.

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

The child is not safeguarded effectively by the staff team. Staff do not have access to clear guidance about how to keep the child safe. Risk assessments and behaviour support plans are not reviewed or up to date. The information recorded in these plans is out of date and is not relevant to the child’s current needs. At the time of the inspection, the risk assessment for the child was only accessible to the interim manager, Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 4 who was on annual leave. This means that staff do not have access to the relevant guidance they need to provide safe and effective care to the child.

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

There is a lack of clear and systematic recording. As a result, there are significant gaps in the child’s care records. It is unclear how many times staff have physically held the child. The one record available of physical intervention was comprehensive and demonstrated appropriate practice that safeguarded the child. However, the child was not informed of their right to independent advocacy or offered medical advice following this incident.

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

There is a lack of clarity about how many times the child’s bedroom has been searched. Staff told the inspector that searches take place regularly, but this is not supported by written records. On one occasion, the child told staff that they had a knife. Records state that a room search would be carried out as a result of this information. There is no record of this search taking place. It is therefore unclear if staff acted to safeguard the child and others. The interim manager was unaware of this incident.

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

When allegations are made against staff, the responsible individual acts quickly. There is good information-sharing with local authorities to ensure the child is safeguarded.

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

Serious incidents involving children are not always notified to Ofsted in a timely manner, or in line with regulation. This impacts on the regulator’s oversight of safeguarding practice in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The leadership and management of the home are ineffective. The registered manager post has been vacant for 10 months. There have been three interim managers in place since the registered manager left. There has been no effective transition from one manager to the next. A new permanent manager has been appointed. He has applied for registration with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not established systems for consistent oversight of practice in the home. The acting responsible individual carries out audits and identifies actions to improve performance. She does not ensure that these actions are completed, and as a result, the necessary improvements are not made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Since the last inspection, there has been an improvement in the challenge provided to leaders by the independent visitor. Actions are identified from the monthly visits carried out. These are not always completed by leaders and managers within the required timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff are not receiving supervision at the frequency detailed in the provider’s supervision policy, and the quality of supervision is poor. The lack of regular, good- quality supervision of practice leaves staff, many with little experience of children’s residential care, without the support they require to carry out their roles to a high Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 5 standard. This means that leaders and managers do not have sufficient one-to-one time with staff to formally reflect on practice and to address any areas that require support and improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not assured themselves that all staff have up-to-date training. There is no system in place for oversight of training completed and when refresher training is needed. As a result, it is not clear as to whether staff are able to meet the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The review of the quality of care was not completed within the required timescales. The completed report was not sent to Ofsted, as required by regulation. This lack of timely reflection on practice means that leaders and managers do not have the information they need to understand the child’s experiences and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The statement of purpose for the home has not been updated and sent to Ofsted following changes to the staff team. The statement of purpose does not provide information about the skills and experience of staff. As a result, it is unclear if staff have the required skills and experience to meet the needs of the child. A requirement was made in relation to the statement of purpose at the last inspection. This is restated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Due to the serious concerns raised during this inspection, Ofsted has issued the provider with compliance notices in respect of regulation 12, the protection of children, and regulation 13, leadership and management. Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 6

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

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)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person should ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

robust risk management plans are developed for each child, clearly outlining current risks to the child and strategies to help staff understand and manage identified risks and behaviours; 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 7 all staff are provided with these plans in a timely manner and that they are supported through training and supervision to implement them effectively in practice;

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Requirement Due date

there is a robust system for reviewing incident records;

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Requirement Due date

debriefs are embedded into practice, offering support and reflection for both staff and children;

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Requirement Due date

there are systems that identify lessons learned from incident reviews that improve practice.

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Requirement Due date

Retrospectively review records to identify incidents requiring further review and ensure all necessary follow-up actions are completed.

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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 promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person should ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

all staff have access to high-quality and regular professional supervision that supports their development and improves the care provided to children. Supervision must focus on the impact of care provided on children’s experiences and outcomes, including their safeguarding needs; 30 November 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 8 staff have the appropriate skills and have completed the necessary training to meet the individual needs of the child in their care;

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Requirement Due date

systems are in place for monitor and review of the delivery of care and that actions identified as a result of this monitoring are acted upon to make improvements to practice.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 31 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and 31 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 9 any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review ("the quality of care review report").

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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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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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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, that the registered person should ensure the statement of purpose details the qualifications and experience of each member of staff.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 December 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 10 The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

is enabled to provide feedback to, and raise issues with, a relevant person about the support and services that the child receives;

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Requirement Due date

is given appropriate advocacy support. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(b)(i)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, that after incidents of restraint the child is informed of their right to independent advocacy and medical intervention. 31 December 2025

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is personalised to reflect the interests of the child and the staff team caring for them. The back yard should provide a welcoming and stimulating environment for the child. (‘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: 2744473 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Oneness Children’s Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 31 Keswick Road, Liverpool L18 9UH

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Inspector

Dawn Parton, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2744473 12 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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