Children's Home run by After Care (NW) Limited in Sefton

Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 1 SC051947 Registered provider: After Care (NW) 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

The home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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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

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/07/2024 Full Good 08/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/06/2022 Full Good 01/03/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 3

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improvement to be good

One child has made a positive transition from the home to semi-supported accommodation since the last inspection. Staff supported the child develop their independence according to their individual needs. This included gradually taking on more responsibility, making decisions and developing their confidence when out in the community. The child says this helped them to communicate well with others and gain employment.

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improvement to be good

Staff help children to engage in education. One child, who has not been to school for a long time, is now engaging in alternative provision with support from staff.

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improvement to be good

The children’s bedrooms are personalised to their individual taste. However, the door handles and locks on the bathroom and bedroom doors are worn and of poor quality. Furthermore, staff currently use the dining room to sleep in during the night which is inappropriate because it is a shared living area for the children.

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improvement to be good

Staff support children to explore their identities and express who they are. A child who lived at the home said, ‘They have helped me become who I am and before that, I was just in a shell’. However, the child currently living at the home says they often feel lonely because they do not have opportunities to make friends. These feelings may impact on the child’s emotional well-being, self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers do not always ensure that staff have access to the children’s health assessment which detail what actions are to be completed by staff. As a result, one child has not attended a GP appointment to discuss a referral to the neurodivergent pathway. Managers and staff were also unaware of concerns relating to the child’s previous illness. This means that children are not always receiving appropriate support to meet their health needs.

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improvement to be good

Staff understand the importance of building positive relationships with children. Children speak openly with staff about their concerns and potential risks. Staff provide them with help and support so they can manage their behaviour and feelings safely.

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improvement to be good

The use of physical intervention by staff is rare. Staff focus on supporting children to regulate themselves without the use of physical intervention. As a result, the number of incidents for one child reduced significantly prior to them moving out of the home.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers do not always follow safer recruitment practices. Information shared by the disclosure and barring service for 2 new staff was not evaluated by senior Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 4 managers and no action was taken to mitigate any risk. Furthermore, senior managers failed to share the information with the registered manager responsible for overseeing the staff. This does not ensure that all staff caring for the children are suitable to do so.

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improvement to be good

Staff do not always follow the safeguarding procedures when a child makes a disclosure. On one occasion, staff did not immediately notify managers when a child shared that they had been assaulted by a child at their previous home. Although this did not place the child at immediate risk, it delayed the response by managers to ensure that other children were effectively safeguarded.

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improvement to be good

Managers do not clearly record the steps taken to support the child or address shortfalls in staff practice. As a result, managers and staff do not create a consistently safe and supportive environment where children can share important information to keep themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. Staff say she is approachable and fosters a culture in which staff and children feel comfortable being themselves. However, poor communication between leaders and managers has impacted on the effectiveness of the management oversight of incidents and children’s records. This has resulted in care that is not consistently child focused.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers do not always ensure that children’s voices are at the centre of staff practice. For example, no real explanation was given to a child when they wanted to explore a friendship with another child. The child felt confused and blamed themselves. On another occasion, a child asked to be referred to specialist support on several occasions, however this was not acted upon by managers. This is a missed opportunity for leaders and managers to build trust with children and ensure that they feel valued and respected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers do not investigate and address shortfalls in staff practice effectively. When staff failed to report a disclosure made by a child in a timely way, managers did not clearly record what actions were taken or the support provided to the child. Significantly, senior managers did not inform the registered manager of the investigation outcome for the staff involved. This limits the registered manager’s ability to oversee the team, address any concerns, or ensure safe practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff benefit from regular supervision and team meetings. Staff have opportunities to discuss the children and reflect on their individual and team practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Monitoring and review systems are ineffective. Although senior managers carry out regular audits at the home, they do not always identify the shortfalls in staff practice. This means that concerns are not addressed and children may be exposed to harm. Furthermore, debriefs are not always completed with staff following incidents to identify areas for development. Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 5 Leaders and managers do not challenge external professionals effectively. When a safeguarding issue arose for one child, managers did not escalate their concerns about a delay in safeguarding procedures being followed. On another occasion, managers failed to challenge the local authority about not being provided with important documents. This does not ensure that staff have the relevant information required to meet the children’s individual needs. Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 6

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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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; and

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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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that there are robust systems of monitoring in place which accurately record the identification of shortfalls in staff practice and actions taken to address concerns.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that thorough investigations are carried out when staff have not followed safeguarding procedures. They must ensure that they record actions taken, the rationale for any decisions made, and the outcome of the investigation. The registered manager must have full oversight of any outcomes to implement any required actions. 8 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that staff— 8 April 2026 Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 7 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff have a clear understanding of the actions they need to take in response to disclosures made by the child. Additionally, the responses of managers and staff to a disclosure made by the child must be clearly recorded and safeguard and support the child effectively.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. The registered person may only—

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home;

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Requirement Due date

or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may permit an individual to start work at the home despite the fact that the requirement in paragraph (3)(d) has not been met if—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person has taken all reasonable steps to obtain full information about each of the matters in Schedule 2 in 8 April 2026 Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 8 respect of the individual, but the enquiries in relation to any of the matters in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2 are incomplete;

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information in respect of the individual has been obtained in relation to the matters in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2;

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Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the circumstances are exceptional; and

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Requirement Due date

the registered person ensures that the individual is appropriately supervised while carrying out the individual’s duties, pending receipt of any outstanding information on the matters in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Schedule 2, which is then considered satisfactory by the registered person.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must take reasonable steps to ensure that any individual who is working at the home and who does not fall within paragraph (2)(a) and (b) is appropriately supervised while carrying out the individual’s duties. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d) (7)(a)(b)(c)(d) (8))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must have oversight of all recruitment checks. Where recruitment checks highlight causes for concern, the registered person must ensure there are sufficient plans in place to mitigate these risks.

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child’s needs;

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must challenge external professionals when there are shortfalls in the child’s care planning. This relates specifically to when there are delays in 8 April 2026 Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 9 strategy meetings to safeguard the child, or local authority documentation for the child is missing.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that a copy of the child’s health assessment is on record and is understood and followed by all managers and staff. Should health assessments identify concerns relating to the child’s health needs, the registered person must ensure these are acted upon in a timely manner and that any information they are unsure of is clarified. 8 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. 8 April 2026 Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 10 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interests when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child. (Regulation 7 (1)(c) (2)(i)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the child is provided with regular opportunity to raise concerns and express their views to senior managers. Where decisions that impact children are made, they must be done so on an individual basis and managers and staff should ensure that children understand the rationale.

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Requirement Due date

The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

develop the child’s interests and hobbies;

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Requirement Due date

participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and

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Requirement Due date

expand the child’s interests and preferences; and

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Requirement Due date

make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child’s interests and hobbies. (Regulation 9 (1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii) and (b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must provide the child with opportunities to make friends in ways that are accessible to the 8 April 2026 Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 11 child. Managers and staff must support the child to increase their social skills through friendships and be able to take age appropriate risks in a safe way.

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Requirement Due date

the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

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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;

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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 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii) (iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the sleep-in arrangements for staff do not restrict the children’s access to communal areas of the home at any time. 8 April 2026

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children live in a warm and welcoming environment that has a homely feel, and that the internal doors in the home are in good condition and the door furniture is of good quality. (‘Guide to The Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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 the children’s home: SC051947 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: After Care (NW) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 45 Kensington Road, Southport PR9 0RT

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Timothy Blundell

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Natalie Hamilton-Ryszka

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Inspectors

Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Bethany Riley, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for the children’s home: SC051947 13 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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