Children's Home run by Amelia Care Limited in Cheshire East

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2743870 1 Registered provider: Amelia Care Limited

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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 by a private company. It provides care for up to three children who may experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home. The children spoke to the inspector during the inspection.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 11 January 2026, Ofsted received information raising concerns about the safety of children and the leadership and management of the home.

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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: 2743870 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 moved in, and one child has moved out. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. Both children were spoken to as part of the inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Both children told the inspector they felt safe living at their home and were able to share their views, wishes and feelings. Children said that they enjoy a variety of activities and that staff support them to see their families and to attend their appointments. However, both children do not feel that staff always understand their needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s education is valued by staff. One child has been helped to return to education with a bespoke plan of support. A specialist provision has been identified for another child. The manager liaises with external professionals to review the support for children. This ensures that all professionals supporting children understand their needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand how to support children’s relationships with their family members. Both children enjoy visiting their families. One family member shared that although staff keep them updated there have been occasions when communication has not been consistent.

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Findings from the inspection

Children do not go missing from their home. Staff help children to develop positive relationships which helps them to feel safer living in their home. Staff recognise the value of children spending time in their community to develop their confidence and independence. When risks are identified, the manager arranges specialist support.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is comfortable and the children’s bedrooms are personalised. However, there are some areas of the home including the children’s bedrooms that are damaged and have not been repaired. This does not create a nurturing and inclusive living environment for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff have an understanding of the children’s needs. When children are in crisis, staff follow their support plans and liaise with external professionals. The manager recognises that staff have not been consistent in their support for children resulting in the police being called. This does not help children to feel valued and confident in the adults who are supporting them.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have been proactive in reviewing staff practice. Staff spoke positively about the additional training they have received. Also, a psychologist has been appointed to help staff to develop their understanding of children’s needs and to create effective guidance for staff to follow. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2743870 3 Since the last inspection, leaders are continuing to make improvements to their monitoring systems to review children’s progress and staff practice. Safe recruitment and the role of the independent visitor is being reviewed. Also, additional training and support for managers has been identified to develop their management oversight.

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Findings from the inspection

As a result of this visit, one of the requirements and two of the recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. One requirement is raised. The requirements and recommendations will be reviewed at the next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2743870 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/10/2025 Full Good 10/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/01/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2743870 5

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all repairs and decoration are completed, and all broken furniture is replaced. In addition, that any future maintenance, including purchasing new furniture and decoration, is completed promptly. 17 March 2026

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate 17 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2743870 6 ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff communicate with one another all information relating to the children they are caring for including any serious incidents that may have taken place. This includes the effective use of team meetings and handover time.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home's care which includes gaining feedback from children who may not be in the home at the time of the visit. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 65, paragraph 15.5).

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice in relation to obtaining references where staff have worked with children and vulnerable adults in their employment history. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.1).

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff encourage an enthusiasm for positive behaviour through the use of regular discussions that cover education, advice and guidance regarding the impact of racism on other members of society. ('Guide to the Children's Home Regulations, including the quality standards', page 39, paragraph 8.13). Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2743870 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amelia Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Heath Business and Technical Park, Heath Drive, Weston, Runcorn WA7 4QA

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Inspector

Siân Heffey, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2743870 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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