Children's Home run by The Children’s Home Company Limited in St Helens

Inspection report for children’s home: 2856881 1 Registered provider: The Children’s Home Company 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 November 2025 and is operated by a private company. It offers care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

This was the home’s first full inspection since registration.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2856881 2

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Summary of findings

Children experience well planned moves to the home. Staff provide children with warmth, nurture and individualised care which supports their positive progress. The ability to build effective relationships with children and family members is a strength at this home.

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Summary of findings

Safeguarding arrangements are effective and help to protect children. Children are supported to understand and manage difficult emotions.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have an ambitious vision for the home and provide effective support to promote staff development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, five children were living at the home. Inspectors spent time with all children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Planning for children to move into the home is thorough and well thought out. Detailed plans are developed alongside multi-agency professionals. Staff skills and experience are reviewed to ensure that they can provide the right level of care and support to children. The manager visits children prior to them moving to live at the home. As a result, children settle in quickly and live together safely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to make memories of their time living at the home, both individually and with each other. Staff support children to take part in new activities, including attending youth organisations, dance classes and after school clubs. One child has enjoyed a holiday to a caravan. Another child has taken part in a sponsored run, raising money for charity. Special occasions including birthdays and Easter are celebrated with parties at the home. This helps children to develop confidence, enhance their social skills and have fun.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are regularly sought by staff through planned discussions. Children choose their meals and activities for the week and are encouraged to share their views on how the garden environment can be enhanced. This enables children to participate fully in their daily lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s experiences of education vary. Two children attend school regularly and are making progress. Managers and staff understand the importance of education and the barriers for some children. Staff encourage children to attend school. Staff communicate with other professionals to ensure that children have suitable educational opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are understood by staff. Children attend routine and specialist health appointments when this is necessary. Managers are proactive in seeking specialist Inspection report for children’s home: 2856881 3 advice to ensure that children receive the right support. One child benefit from therapeutic stories at bedtime to help explore their emotions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's complex family dynamics are understood by staff. Managers and staff build positive relationships with family members. One professional highlighted the ability of managers and staff to build effective relationships with family members as a strength at this home. Some family members regularly visit the home to spend time with children. This supports children to maintain relationships with people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a comfortable home that has a family feel. A large garden provides space for children to enjoy outdoor activities, including bike riding and playing football. Children are supported to personalise their bedrooms to their individual tastes.

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

Staff safeguard children effectively. Children’s risk management and support plans are detailed and individual to each child. There are very few incidents in the home. Incidents of children spending time in each other’s bedrooms are responded to appropriately, taking into account children’s familial relationships. The use of bedroom door alarms is risk assessed, with consent provided by social workers. The reason for the use of bedroom door alarms is explained to children.

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

Managers and staff work in collaboration with a therapist to understand each child’s specific risks and vulnerabilities. This ensures that staff have the knowledge and skills to respond to children effectively. Family members are involved appropriately to help children understand acceptable behaviour. As a result of receiving consistent support from staff, the risks children face is reducing.

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

Two children have been missing from home on one occasion. Staff took appropriate action to support children’s safe return home. Staff communication with family members and professionals. Children were welcomed home by staff and independent return home interviews took place.

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

Staff talk to children about issues that may impact on their health and safety. This includes healthy relationships and risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes. Resources are used to support these conversations.

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

Incidents in the community are managed well by staff. Children and family members seek support from staff when they have concerns. Staff respond promptly and take appropriate steps to keep children safe. For example, staff supported one child to receive medical attention when they experienced distress whilst spending time outside of the home. Staff regularly check in with children when they are spending time with friends and family members to ensure that they are safe.

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

Children are cared for by a stable staff team. Safer recruitment processes are in place to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2856881 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children and staff benefit from strong leadership in the home. The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She has a visible presence in the home, alongside the responsible individual. Together, they have high aspirations for children and high expectations of staff to provide child centred care. They share a clear vision for the home, which aligns with the homes ethos, as set out in the statement of purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a robust induction to the organisation and the home. Probation processes are used effectively to monitor staff performance. Leaders and managers support staff to develop their skills. There is a 'grow your own' culture which provides stability for children. Staff value the training and support they receive from leaders and managers. One member of staff said, ‘Management are supportive, approachable, and always focused on achieving the best outcomes for the children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions and team meetings are effective and contribute to stability in the staff team. These forums, with ongoing input from the therapeutic team, provide opportunities to reflect on children’s needs and share learning. Research is introduced to support staffs understanding of children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have oversight of the work staff do with children, including any incidents. Staff practice is evaluated and any learning is shared with the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and manager advocate for children to ensure that they receive the support they are entitled to. Effective working relationships with other agencies and professionals support children to make progress. Professionals speak highly of the home, and the care children receive. One professional said, ‘I have absolute confidence in the staff and leaders at this home. They have warmth and determination to build on children’s strengths.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2856881 5

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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: 2856881 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Children’s Home Company Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: St. Ann’s Mount, 166 Prescot Road, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 3TS

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Inspectors

Anna Belshaw, Social Care Inspector Ruth Mortimer-Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2856881 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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