Children's home run by Above And Beyond Residential Care Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2837625 1 Registered provider: Above And Beyond Residential Care Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is part of a private organisation and provides care for up to 2 children with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, there were 2 children living in the home. Both were spoken with as part of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Since registration the management arrangements have changed, and a new interim manager is now in post.

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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: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2837625 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive good-quality care in a stable and nurturing environment. Children are supported by skilled, reflective and committed staff who focus on achieving positive outcomes for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since moving into the home, children have made meaningful progress from their starting points. This includes a noticeable reduction in behavioural incidents, improved emotional regulation, increased engagement in education through tutoring, and positive participation in the community, such as attending a youth club for the first time. Children spoke positively about their lived experiences and the care and support they receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Robust health arrangements are in place for children. Detailed health support plans are maintained for children, clearly outlining their needs, appointments and outcomes. Medication records are detailed and well maintained, showing a significant reduction in prescribed medication for children since moving into the home, reflecting improved emotional stability and effective support strategies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Direct work sessions are regular, purposeful and well documented. Children say that these sessions help them to understand risks, make positive choices, become more independent and talk about their hopes for the future. When a risk is identified, such as access to cannabis, staff take immediate action to reduce this risk. Practical activities such as cooking help children build confidence and learn to do things for themselves. Sessions also focus on helping children understand how to be kind, stay calm and make good decisions. This helps children develop good social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is clean and welcoming. Two children currently live in the home, both of whom are subject to deprivation of liberty orders. Although these orders are permissive in nature, doors and windows within the home are kept permanently locked. This practice limits the children’s ability to move freely around the home and does not demonstrate that restrictions are proportionate or applied only when necessary. As a result, the balance between ensuring safety and upholding children’s rights and independence is not being fully maintained.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Placement plans are comprehensive and outline how children’s needs will be met. They promote safety, stability and personal development and include clear evidence of multi- agency involvement. Children’s views, wishes and feelings are captured in plans, demonstrating that they are listened to and involved in decision-making. Records show that children consistently make positive progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s relationships with their families have strengthened considerably, with increased family time and improved relationships with siblings. Feedback from family members is positive. They reported significant improvements in children’s behaviour, Inspection report for children’s home: 2837625 3 emotional stability and family relationships. Family members expressed confidence that their child is safe and well cared for. Communication from staff was described as ‘absolutely amazing’, with ‘detailed and regular updates’, celebrations and prompt sharing of concerns. The manager and staff were praised for their consistency and resilience. Family visits were described as ‘fun’, welcoming and comfortable, and staff were said to ‘always go above and beyond’, evidencing strong partnership working.

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

Children have positive, caring and trusting relationships with staff. Staff know children very well. They invest time in them, promote their wellbeing through shared activities and celebrate their achievements. Children have a strong sense of stability and security.

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

Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. They take the time to talk to children and educate them about potential risks. Staff support children to find alternative strategies to de-escalate situations, reduce risk and improve their ability to keep themselves safe.

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

Risk management plans are detailed and regularly reviewed, and include clear identification of triggers, control measures and staff responsibilities. These plans minimise risks related to behaviour, emotional wellbeing and the environment effectively, ensuring consistent staff responses, reducing harm and maintaining a safe and structured setting. Children are involved where appropriate, supporting their understanding of boundaries and development of self-regulation skills.

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

There has been one incident of a child going missing from the home. Staff followed the home’s missing-from-home policy and were proactive in seeking the safe return of the child. When the child returned, staff greeted them with warmth and care. The child was also given the chance to talk about what happened with someone independent who could listen and support them.

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

When allegations are made by children against staff, managers listen and take children’s concerns seriously. Managers and staff respond swiftly and put arrangements in place so that children are safe and protected. Children are supported to discuss how they feel and any concerns they have. Children are kept updated so they can understand what actions have been agreed and taken.

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

Staffing ratios are sufficient to meet the needs of the children. However, staff rosters do not record the full names of staff or the precise hours worked by managers. Additionally, when changes are made to the staffing arrangements, these are not consistently documented. As a result, the records do not always clearly show which adults were responsible for the care of the children at any given time. Inspection report for children’s home: 2837625 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management of the home has changed since it opened, and the deputy manager has taken on the role of the interim manager. She has applied to register. She is passionate about her role and has clear expectations for children to achieve positive outcomes in their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to extensive training programmes that are supporting their development and knowledge and enabling them to work with children in a meaningful way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said that they enjoy their work and value the support of the interim manager and their team members. Staff are consistent in their approach and are aware of each other’s strengths and areas of development, which ensures that teamwork is effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Relationships with parents, external agencies and professionals are effective and positive. The interim manager collaborates closely with professionals to ensure that children receive the right support. Significant events are shared appropriately with the relevant authorities. One social worker said, ‘Communication is excellent with the staff in the home, in particular the manager.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the interim manager has been in post, staff have access to regular reflective supervision that enables them to reflect on practice and take on board any learning to strengthen their practices. However, the same levels of support are not in place for the interim manager and there is also insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the responsible individual has consistent oversight of the quality of care. This is a missed opportunity to provide the interim manager with appropriate support and guidance in their new role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One child moved into the home in an emergency despite having a known diagnosis. The previous registered manager obtained only limited information about the child prior to their arrival. However, the home’s statement of purpose specifies that emergency admissions are not accepted and that the home is registered to care for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. This decision therefore does not demonstrate that the home is being operated in full accordance with its stated aims and objectives. Inspection report for children’s home: 2837625 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 statement of purpose standard is that 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

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16 (1) (5)) 30 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

The privacy and access standard is that a registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home; is necessary and proportionate;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)) 30 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

The other records standards is that Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; and

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date. 30 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2837625 6 (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (1) (4)(b)) 30 January 2026

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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: 2837625 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Above And Beyond Residential Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: C/O Venture Finance Management – Suite 101 Cotton Exchange, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9LQ

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Inspectors

Michelle Edge, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector Debbie Dawson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2837625 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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