Children's Home run by Milestones Care Homes Ltd in Wirral

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC065780 1 SC065780

p.1

Registered provider: Milestones Care Homes Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private company. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living at the home. The inspector observed 2 children.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has applied to dual register with Ofsted. He was not present during the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 16 September 2025

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: SC065780 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or out of the home. Children benefit from stable placements and have positive relationships with each other. This stability gives them consistency and a strong sense of belonging.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children attend school regularly and are making progress from their starting points. When children face barriers to learning, staff work with children to help them understand the value and importance of education.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children’s friends are welcomed into the home. They take part in a range of fun and enjoyable activities, including attending sports clubs and youth clubs. Children also have opportunities to share their views and feelings at local authority events. This supports children to develop greater confidence, improve their social skills and spend time with people who are important to them.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The home environment requires improvement. Leaders and managers are in the process of modernising the home; however, progress has been limited. In addition, some areas of the home are not cleaned to an acceptable standard. This does not help children to develop a sense of pride in their home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff speak confidently about their safeguarding responsibilities and know how to report concerns. They know the children well and talk with them about any worries they may have. This is supported by detailed risk management plans, which provide clear guidance for staff to follow.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager ensures that appropriate referrals are made when emerging risks arise for children. Staff support children to attend health appointments and work effectively with other agencies. As a result, children have access to the specialist services they need.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager ensures that the appropriate referrals are completed when emerging risks arise for children. Staff support children to attend health appointments and work effectively with other agencies. As a result, children have access to specialised services they need to meet their needs.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager is new to the home. He is currently the registered manager for another home within the company. One staff said, ‘The manager has brought a fresh set of eyes, and a new perspective.’

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager has monitoring systems in place to review the quality of care in the home. However, these systems are not always effective. For example, maintenance of fire extinguishers has not been completed in a timely manner. In addition, some Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC065780 3 staff training has expired, and staff have not received specific training on substance misuse.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Two requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. Two requirements have been reinstated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC065780 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/09/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/05/2023 Full Good 26/07/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC065780 5

p.4

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.

p.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.5

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.5

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.5

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)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to the registered person ensuring that they have effective systems in place to monitor and review the quality of care and wellbeing of children. 23 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC065780 6 Furthermore, this relates to the registered person ensuring they receive feedback in respect of the quality of care children receive.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This further relates to the registered person ensuring that staff have the appropriate training.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the home is decorated to a good standard throughout.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 23 March 2026

p.6

Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

p.6

Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that corrective action in respect of fire extinguishers is undertaken in a timely manner. 23 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC065780 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Milestones Care Homes Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5 Fletcher Close, Wirral, Cheshire CH49 5PH

p.7

Inspector

Kitty Wiper, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC065780 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8