Children's home run by Good Foundations Limited in Wirral

Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 1 SC067771 Registered provider: Good Foundations 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 and provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. All children were present during the inspection and spoke to the inspector about their experience of living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 18 February 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/02/2025 Full Outstanding 02/08/2023 Full Good 09/08/2022 Full Good 22/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff demonstrate exceptional skill in meeting the complex needs of the children they care for. They are highly motivated and show unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in children’s lives. As a result, children are thriving and achieving remarkable progress across all areas of their development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The manager promotes a culture of high aspiration and achievement. Staff are unwavering in their advocacy for each child and consistently tailor support to meet their individual needs. One notable example is the patient and sensitive approach taken to address a child’s health needs. Through persistent and compassionate support, staff have helped the child to overcome a significant fear, enabling them to access essential treatment. Staff demonstrate perseverance and empathy in all aspects of their work with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff work tirelessly to ensure that children’s plans promote their educational, social and emotional development. One child is not currently able to access formal education. However, staff have acted swiftly and creatively to implement an alternative plan. They are providing the child with essential structure and opportunities for social growth. Another child had disengaged from school and staff have invested time in understanding the child’s needs and identified strategies that work for the child. The child’s school nurse commented, ‘Staff have transformed perceptions of [the child] from being labelled as a “naughty child” to a capable learner.’ All children are making impressive progress in their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff build exceptionally strong and trusting relationships with children’s families. They work in partnership with families to share successes, address challenges and maintain consistent approaches. Families speak highly of the staff team. One parent commented that his child has ‘come on leaps and bounds because of them [staff]. They can’t do enough for [the child].’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences that are fun and enriching. Staff celebrate achievements, take an active interest in children’s lives and consistently encourage them to try new things. These opportunities help children to build confidence, develop self-esteem and form positive relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff go above and beyond to support children’s emotional wellbeing. One member of staff came in on their day off to accompany a child to a significant family event. Staff have also taken a child to visit the airport ahead of their first holiday to prepare them for the journey. Staff are committed to meeting children’s emotional needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

This home is warm, welcoming and full of fun. Children look forward to returning from school and staff greet them with genuine interest in their day. Professionals consistently report that, during visits, they observe children and staff laughing, joking and enjoying Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 4 time together. Children say they value spending time with staff and feel confident to share their thoughts and feelings. Staff model positive relationships, enabling children to develop trust and a strong sense of security.

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

The manager prioritises strong safeguarding arrangements. Staff receive thorough training to identify and respond to potential risks. Consequently, risks remain minimal and there have been very few incidents since the previous inspection. There have been no allegations or complaints, demonstrating that children are consistently well protected and feel secure.

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

Children feel safe and secure. Staff have worked consistently to support each child in developing a better understanding of their own experiences. Staff use creative visual aids and social stories to help one child understand their feelings. Children are now confident in expressing their views and sharing their wishes and feelings.

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

Staff consistently balance children’s need for freedom and privacy with effective risk management. The response to concerns about one child’s internet use was particularly sensitive and exceptionally effective. Staff take time to help children understand potential risks and develop their own strategies for staying safe. As a result, children are empowered to make safe choices.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing from home. Information is shared promptly and appropriately with relevant professionals, ensuring a well- coordinated safeguarding response.

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

Consistent routines and clear boundaries give children a strong sense of stability and security. Staff understand each child’s individual communication style and use child- focused approaches. Children feel heard and valued.

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

Staff actively promote positive behaviour and deliver consistent messages across the team. Staff role model behaviour which demonstrates kindness and respect. Everyday experiences are used as learning opportunities, always in a non-judgemental way. Children feel safe to make mistakes and are confident that staff will support them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is highly experienced and passionate about delivering high- quality care to children. Children, professionals and family members consistently describe the manager as dedicated, hard-working and driven to achieve the best outcomes. One child said, ‘She [the manager] is the most hard-working person I know. She can be doing eight things at once and still get them all done. But she always listens too, she never forgets when I tell her something.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 5 The manager has a clear and ambitious vision for the home. She leads by example with positivity and enthusiasm, ensuring that children receive excellent standards of care. Her approach has created a nurturing and supportive environment for both children and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Partnership working is a significant strength of the manager and the staff team. The manager has established excellent relationships with external professionals, ensuring effective collaboration. Professionals consistently report that the manager fearlessly acts with the child’s best interests at the heart of every decision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers maintain excellent oversight of the service. They have a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. The manager monitors all aspects of practice effectively and sets consistently high expectations for both staff and children. Her drive and commitment have made an exceptional difference to children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have embedded a therapeutic approach to caring for children. Innovative approaches to research and training support staff in their understanding of trauma-informed practice. Their learning is applied effectively in the day-to-day running of the home. Children receive personalised and therapeutic care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have an excellent understanding of the impact of trauma on children’s lives. They remain attentive to individual needs and consistently take these differences into account when planning care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular, reflective supervision. They speak positively about the support provided, with one member of staff describing the home as ‘like a second home.’ High staff morale has contributed to a stable and consistent team, enabling children to build trusting relationships with the people who care for them. Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 6

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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: SC067771 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Good Foundations Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Tower Quays, Tower Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside CH41 1BP

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Inspector

Nicola Shaw, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC067771 8 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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