Children's Home run by Theophelian Ltd in Sefton

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2808413 1 Registered provider: Theophelian Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an interim manager in post who has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2808413 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has remained living at the home. The child has positive relationships with the staff and manager. Staff take the child on activities outside of the home and encourage hobbies and interests. When the child struggles in group settings, staff ensure that the child has opportunities to still take part in extra-curricular activities which interest them.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support the child to spend time with their family members. They work alongside other agencies to ensure that the child’s information and life story is delivered to them sensitively.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff ensure that the child’s health needs, including their emotional needs, are met. Staff seek medical attention for the child when required and presently support therapeutic intervention.

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Findings from the inspection

The child attends school full-time. Staff and professionals from school communicate effectively to ensure that they are all aware of any issues that may impact the child’s learning and presentation at school. The child does not have an education and health care plan, nor is their education provision permanent. The manager is aware of this and is ensuring that this is considered by the placing authority as a priority.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents of challenging behaviour at the home have reduced. When incidents do occur, staff manage these well. Staff recognise when the child is struggling with their emotions and de-escalate situations effectively. The use of physical intervention has reduced since the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

A specific behaviour for the child has increased in frequency and is being observed, by staff, more often. The manager and staff are monitoring this and seeking the support of the placing authority and other agencies to ensure that the child receives the correct support to effectively meet their needs. Two members of staff support the child due to some presenting risks and behaviours. When the placing authority have attempted to reduce this, there is appropriate rationale and challenge from the manager as to why this is not safe for the child currently.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s assessments and plans reflect the current needs of the child. Staff understand the child’s risks and vulnerabilities and confidently respond to such risks when they arise.

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Findings from the inspection

The previous manager left their role soon after the home registered. The responsible individual has also left. A new manager and responsible individual have been appointed. The manager understands the child’s needs and is child focused. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2808413 3 Staff say that they enjoy their roles and describe feeling supported by their manager. Both the manager and responsible individual have introduced new systems to ensure that the child’s care is reviewed on a regular basis. However, the quality- of-care review submitted to the regulator, does not include all the information required by regulation.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager ensures that the recruitment of new staff is safe and all relevant checks are completed before they start working at the home. Staff receive regular supervision in line with the companies’ own policies.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have undertaken appropriate training, including outstanding training which was identified as a shortfall at the last inspection. This training ensures that staff have the knowledge to safely care for the child.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. A requirement has been raised at this inspection in relation to the shortfalls identified in the quality-of- care review. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2808413 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2808413 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulation 45) to ensure continuous improvement. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 55 paragraph 10.24)

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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’ Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2808413 6

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Inspector

Nicola Rutherford, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2808413 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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