Children's Home run by Footsteps a Path to Change 08 Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for children’s home: 2787497 1 Registered provider: Footsteps a Path to Change 08 Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to 2 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2787497 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/07/2025 Full Good 01/10/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2787497 3

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Summary of findings

Children have positive and nurturing relationships with staff. They enjoy living at the home and make good progress. Children learn appropriate strategies to respond to challenging situations, as well as skills for managing their emotions. The manager and staff have high expectations for the children. Staff receive good support and training to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to meet the children’s individual needs effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to providing high-quality care for the children, and they speak about them with genuine warmth and affection. They have a thorough understanding of the children’s individual needs and how to meet them. Children’s wellbeing is at the centre of their practice, and they regularly celebrate their progress and achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are ambitious for children and help them do well in education. Staff provide children educational activities when they are not in school full time. They create fun learning experiences for children that focus on the subjects they are learning about.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in after-school and community-based activities. They help with planning fun activities, and both went on a holiday last year.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. They are encouraged to attend health appointments when required, and they have access to specialist services when needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are clear, consistent and appropriate boundaries for children. They are helped to develop skills and strategies to manage conflicts and difficult feelings. The children regularly engage in direct work with staff, which focuses on their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming and homely. The children’s bedrooms are personally decorated, with photos, toys and games throughout the home.

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

Staff understand the children’s individual risks and vulnerabilities, and there are clear plans for them to follow to keep them safe. Risk assessments are clear and updated regularly.

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

Staff consistently promote positive behaviour. They use effective de-escalation strategies to help children manage their feelings and behaviours. Restraint is only used when necessary to protect the child and others. Records of incidents involving restraint are clear and include all relevant information. The manager evaluates each incident to Inspection report for children’s home: 2787497 4 identify any shortfalls in practice and areas for learning. Children are spoken to following incidents, and their voice is clearly recorded.

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

Children who go missing experience a well-coordinated response from staff that helps ensure that they return home in a safe and timely way. Staff actively search for children, and discussions take place with children when they return home. There is good management oversight of missing-from-home episodes with clear actions for staff to help prevent further occurrences.

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

Staff understand the risks that using the internet may pose for children. There are effective plans in place to help keep children safe online, including regular device checks. Incidents are recorded promptly, and effective action is taken to address any safeguarding issues. Discussions take place with children to support them in learning how to keep themselves safe.

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

Investigations into allegations are shared with the relevant agencies in a timely manner. They are managed fairly and effectively and in accordance with statutory guidance.

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

Staff have positive and effective links with professionals. Good and clear communication about safeguarding issues, including injuries sustained during restraint or allegations against staff, helps keep children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed effectively and efficiently by a permanent and suitably experienced registered manager. She is supported by an experienced assistant manager. Staff say they feel well supported by the managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager demonstrates a good understanding of the children’s individual needs, which is reflected in their plans. She understands that the children’s earlier life experiences can create challenges that affect their emotions and behaviours. Discussions take place during team meetings about how to better understand and support the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, there have been staff changes, which has created some unsettlement. However, despite the changes, new staff are building positive relationships with the children and have a good understanding of their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff have received mandatory training, and all staff are provided with training that is specific to the children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. This provides them with the opportunity to discuss the children, reflect on their practice and identify areas for development. Staff say that managers are always available for advice and support. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787497 5 The managers and staff are committed to achieving the best outcomes for the children. Professionals provided positive feedback during the inspection. They spoke highly of the manager and staff and the care they provide for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787497 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: 2787497 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Footsteps a Path to Change 08 Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Landmark House, Station Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire SK8 7BS

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Charlotte Davies

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Inspectors

Joy Viles, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Nicola Rutherford, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2787497 8 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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