Children's Home run by Bridgewater Children’s Care Services Limited in Wirral

Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 1 Registered provider: Bridgewater Children’s Care Services 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 registered with Ofsted in August 2025 and is operated by a private provider. It offers care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

This was the first inspection since the home was registered.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and/or the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 2

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inadequate

Significant shortfalls in safeguarding practice and the leadership and management of the home have led to the child living in the home being at risk of harm.

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inadequate

The registered manager and responsible individual have been dismissed from their roles. This means that there is no registered person managing or overseeing the home. This leaves the child living in the home at risk as no suitable alternative arrangements have been made.

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inadequate

The child has lived in the home since the home was registered. Consideration was not given to the child’s needs and difficulties related to living with other children if more children were to move in. Furthermore, care planning documents did not consider whether the staff were able to meet the child’s needs. This did not provide the child with the stability needed in the long term.

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inadequate

Leaders and managers have not ensured that the child’s educational provision meets their needs effectively. The child attends on a reduced timetable. Delays in reviewing these arrangements mean that the child has not been provided with opportunities to increase the amount of time that they attend. This limits opportunities for the child to engage consistently in learning and make appropriate progress.

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inadequate

Staff are not consistent in supporting the child to engage in conversations on topics relating to known risks, such as vaping. Staff do not recognise the increased risks associated with this for the child due to their ongoing physical health needs.

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

Safeguarding practice in the home is not effective.

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

Action was not taken to safeguard the child following an allegation they made against their school headteacher. Staff and managers failed to take immediate and appropriate safeguarding action, and required procedures were not followed. Information relating to the allegation was inappropriately shared, and the child was allowed to return to their education setting without a clear plan in place to support or protect them. These serious failures left the child at ongoing risk of emotional harm.

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

The child’s plans do not provide staff with clear and consistent guidance to meet the child’s needs. Staff facilitate the child’s use of vapes despite knowing that the child suffers with asthma. This poses a significant risk to the child’s health.

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

Staff and managers do not recognise or assess the significant risks of exploitation to the child effectively. Although these risks were known before the child moved into Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 3 the home, the child was allowed unrestricted access to a mobile phone without effective safeguards in place. Staff did not follow agreed plans to promote safe use and were unable to demonstrate an understanding of who the child was in contact with. This failure placed the child at immediate risk of harm.

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

Arrangements for the child to spend time with family members who may pose risks were poorly planned and unsafe. The existing plan placed responsibility on the child to remove themselves from situations if they felt at risk, rather than setting out clear protective actions for staff to follow. There was no evidence of an up-to-date risk assessment from the placing authority, despite significant changes in the family member’s circumstances. This demonstrates a failure to ensure that safeguarding arrangements were appropriate or child focused.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The leadership and management arrangements are unsafe. They do not ensure that the child is safeguarded or that their welfare is promoted. The registered manager failed to provide effective leadership and oversight of the child’s care. While some practical support was provided to help the child settle into the home, the registered manager did not ensure that staff were appropriately consulted or involved in care planning or safeguarding processes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager did not take action to address concerns raised by staff regarding the lack of shared information about the child or the lack of clarity and direction on how to meet the child’s needs. Key documents relating to the child’s risks and support needs were not consistently or effectively communicated with the team. As a result, staff did not have the information they required to provide safe and effective care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Senior leaders took appropriate action when they became aware of the extent of the management failings. They sought feedback from staff and, following this, dismissed the registered manager. In addition, the responsible individual was removed from their role. However, alternative arrangements were not made to provide effective leadership or improved safeguarding arrangements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The deputy manager stepped into the role of interim manager. However, they were unable to demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the regulatory framework, their safeguarding responsibilities and how to respond appropriately to the child’s identified risks. Serious shortfalls in safeguarding practice were not addressed promptly, and informed, decisive action was not taken to protect the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders have been providing direct support within the home; however, appropriate suitability and safeguarding checks had not been completed to ensure that they were safe to undertake this role. In addition, leaders do not have the necessary knowledge and understanding of the regulatory framework to provide effective oversight and support. Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 4 These significant and widespread failures in leadership and management place the child at continued risk of harm. The setting was suspended with immediate effect.

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that risk assessments clearly record all known risks and state exact actions staff must take and are reviewed and updated without delay when risks change.

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Requirement Due date

Staff do not facilitate or permit unsafe behaviours, including vaping.

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Requirement Due date

Safeguards are in place to monitor mobile phone and internet use where exploitation is a concern

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Requirement Due date

All allegations made by children are acted on immediately in line with safeguarding procedures. 31 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 5 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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(e)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that there is a suitably skilled and knowledgeable person managing the home at all times.

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Requirement Due date

Care planning and safeguarding information is shared clearly with all staff and staff concerns are acted on promptly. Staff receive regular reflective supervision and management oversight identifies and addresses safeguarding failings quickly. In addition, must ensure effective arrangements are in place when management changes occur. 31 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 6 The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

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Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that managers and staff advocate for children to receive education. 31 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 7 Must ensure that children have clear structure and routine in place that focus on learning.

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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

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

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; 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)(a)(c)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h)) 31 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— 31 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 8 there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e))

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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. (Regulation 5 (a))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children have consistent access to services as identified in their plans, including emotional support 31 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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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 children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that, subject to regulation 22 (contact and access to communications), contact between each child and the child’s parents, relatives and friends, is promoted in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(d))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children are only admitted where the home can meet their needs safely including consideration of the staff skills and experience. Care plans clearly align with placing authority plans. In addition, family time 31 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 9 arrangements are child focused and protective, not reliant on the child.

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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: 2837987 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bridgewater Children’s Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 525 London Road, Stretton, Warrington WA4 5PH

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Inspector

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2837987 11 and 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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