Children's home run by Halliwell Homes Limited in Staffordshire Moorlands

Inspection report for children’s home: 1229534 1 Registered provider: Halliwell Homes Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It is registered to provide care for up to 8 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 6 children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2023.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1229534 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/03/2025 Full Outstanding 07/11/2023 Full Outstanding 07/06/2022 Full Good 28/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 1229534 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children benefit from the home’s warm and nurturing environment. They have access to a large garden, living area and dining room. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and the home is adorned with children’s artwork and photographs of them having fun with staff. Children are actively involved in the development of the home environment, including the design of memory benches and dedicated areas for planting vegetables and flowers. These contributions promote the children’s sense of ownership and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection, 4 children have moved out of the home, and 3 children have moved in. When children move into the home, their arrivals are thoroughly assessed. Children have opportunities to develop relationships with staff ahead of moving in, and children living in the home design personalised welcome guides. This helps to reassure children who are new to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s moves out of the home are well planned, with children either returning to their families or being placed with long-term foster carers. Children and their carers benefit from ongoing support after their moves. This helps to bolster their long-term outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Therapeutic interventions, such as art and play therapy, are used to help children express their feelings. Staff are sensitive to supporting bereavement and identity, and they make sure children have chances to think about their experiences and remember those who have been lost in a positive way. This supportive approach helps children to develop resilience and a strong sense of who they are.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s views are gathered daily. Children talk to staff about the activities they want to take part in and holidays they would like to plan. This includes roller skating, drama classes, access to martial arts and holidays to London and Wales. Children also benefit from accessing creative support clubs in the home, such as the homework, reading and ‘walkie talkie’ groups. This helps children’s extracurricular development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children attend education each day and are making exceptional progress. The manager challenges professionals when children face barriers to education, and swift action is taken to ensure that children’s learning is prioritised. Staff have high aspirations for children’s futures, and this has helped to build children’s self-esteem. Children have strong ambitions for their future, and their achievements are celebrated through monthly rewards and an annual awards ceremony.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children benefit from nutritious meals from a broad range of different cuisines. Meals are balanced and children have access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Children are able to explore foods that are of cultural importance to them. One child has an individual shopping budget, which supports their independence. This allows them to make Inspection report for children’s home: 1229534 4 choices about their diet for certain days of the week and gain experience preparing meals with the support of staff.

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

Children’s safety is prioritised. The manager and staff have an exceptional understanding about the risks that children face. Risk assessments are thorough and reviewed regularly to ensure that children’s risks and the strategies to manage them are up to date.

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

Children’s individual support plans promote holistic de-escalation strategies that minimise the use of physical intervention. Staff use their close relationships with children to manage difficult situations safely. If a child is held, thorough debriefs are completed with children and staff to consider any learning from the incident.

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

Children benefit from the use of restorative approaches to incidents. This allows children to repair relationships with staff and understand why rules and boundaries are in place.

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

If children raise concerns about the care they receive, investigations are thorough and communication is prioritised to ensure children feel listened to. If complaints are upheld, decisive action is taken.

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

Children benefit from strength-based, child-centred key work sessions focused on their individual needs. This includes work linked to safe relationships, internet use and emotional wellbeing.

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

Staff have completed training linked to children’s individual needs and routinely use research underpinned by the home’s therapeutic model to inform their practice. This includes the implementation of sensory strategies that help children’s emotional wellbeing.

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

Staff also take on additional responsibilities to ensure that children and staff are kept abreast of risks that exist for them. This includes the recent adoption of technology champions who specialise in supporting children’s online safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has worked in the home for some time and is suitably experienced and qualified. She is highly ambitious, leads by example and is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for the children in her care. The manager is supported by a responsible individual and 3 deputy managers who share her enthusiasm. Staff speak highly about the support they receive, particularly with regard to their continuous professional development. Inspection report for children’s home: 1229534 5 Managers work effectively with key stakeholders. Partner agencies spoke candidly about the manager’s and staff’s communication skills and commitment to children. One social worker stated, ‘There is nothing they could improve on.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager uses several systems to monitor the quality of care for children. She recognises the home’s strengths and finds creative ways to overcome challenges. This includes the effective use of monthly reports from an independent person, therapeutic advice from the in-house clinical team, and practice observations of staff in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team is stable. Staff have a broad range of experience, and they work cohesively to achieve the best outcomes for children. New staff benefit from comprehensive training and induction, while those with more experience are supported to gain specialist qualifications. Agency staff are used sparingly, and several staff spoke of their commitment to working flexibly to ensure that children receive consistent care from familiar adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have regular supervision, which is reflective. Appraisals are completed annually. However, these would be enhanced with the inclusion of feedback from children and external professionals. Inspection report for children’s home: 1229534 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: 1229534 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Halliwell Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pearce House, 80 Cawdor Street, Eccles M30 0QF

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Inspectors

Jon Dutton, Social Care Inspector Alexandra Pearson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1229534 8 inspects 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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