Children's Home run by Alcedo Gold in St Helens

Inspection report for children’s home: 2847810 1 Registered provider: Alcedo Gold Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. The home is registered to provide care for one child with emotional or social difficulties and learning disabilities

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Information about this children’s home

The manager and home registered with Ofsted in October 2025.

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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: 27 January 2026

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2847810 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/01/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2847810 3

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Summary of findings

The child is making progress. The child receives care that is thoughtful and curious, and practice evolves as staff understand the child better. The manager promotes a culture of learning and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child lives in a home that is designed and furnished to a high standard. The child’s interest in the world is evident across the home, including in their bedroom, which contains globes, maps and bedding printed with world maps. This supports the child to feel valued and experience a sense of belonging and comfort.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported by staff who know them well. One professional said, ‘[Name of child] is supported by the staff member to a high standard, and they clearly understand the child’s needs and can communicate effectively.’ They also commented on the excellent care provided, noting the significant progress the child is making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has opportunities to express their views, including signs such as thumbs up and thumbs down. The manager has introduced the Picture Exchange Communication System to extend the child’s communication. These strategies mean that the child can express their wishes and interests, which has resulted in a day trip to the zoo and a visit to an ice cream parlour.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in good health and is supported by staff to attend general and specialist health appointments. Regular meetings take place with parents, health professionals and the child’s social worker so that health plans can be reviewed and interventions revised.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making progress with their independence skills. Since moving to the home, the child can now use cutlery, including chopsticks, and can wash and dress themselves with some support from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been out of school for a significant period but, with support from staff, they are now in specialist education provision. A gradual introduction has resulted in them now attending on a full-time basis. As a result, the child now has a daily routine and is learning and making steady progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is taken by staff to community-based activities and has enjoyed a range of experiences, such as going to the farm, going to the beach and holidays. The child also attends community-based youth provisions, and this allows them to develop their social skills. The child’s friendships are valued by staff who have arranged for the child to spend time bowling with one friend and going on days out with staff and the friend’s family members. Inspection report for children’s home: 2847810 4 The child has a memory book, which captures their experiences and day-to-day life. Achievements are celebrated and rewarded. The child receives a high level of praise and responds positively to this, which increases their sense of belonging.

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

The child told inspectors that they feel listened to and gave an example of when they shared a complaint with the manager and felt believed and confident that the manager acted on their concerns. This supports the child to build trusting and open relationships with staff.

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

The child is looked after by a small, consistent staff team, with additional cover from familiar bank staff. When issues relating to staff consistency have impacted on the child, the manager has taken action to revise staffing patterns and recruit additional permanent staff.

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

Medication is stored safely and staff receive training to ensure medication is administered correctly. This is regularly reviewed to ensure staff remain competent in this area.

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

Incidents are managed well. On one occasion, a staff member locked themselves in the office for a short period following verbal threats made by the child. The manager identified this practice as a significant shortfall, and it was addressed through a staff debrief and discussion in supervision. Learning was more widely shared in a team meeting. Staff now follow the child’s risk and behaviour management plan and incidents have reduced.

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

The child has a plan in place should they go missing from home. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities should this happen.

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

The child is supported by staff to manage their feelings safely when they are distressed. Staff use distraction strategies. As a result, the child has not been held, although staff are trained should this need to be used as a last resort.

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

The child has been involved in low-level incidents while in the community with staff. The child is encouraged to reflect on their behaviours with staff. The local police community support officer has visited the child to further support their understanding of socially acceptable behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The interim manager has submitted their application for registration. The manager is suitably skilled and experienced in supporting children with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and children who may have a physical disability. The manager shares their skills and knowledge with the staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2847810 5 The child is cared for by an experienced team of staff who place the child at the centre of their practice. Leaders and managers have recruited staff in response to concerns from staff that they were working additional hours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers ensure that parents receive monthly reports so they are updated on the progress their child is making. Regular meetings take place with professionals, such as child and adolescent mental health services, to ensure that the child’s needs are understood and progress continues.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported in their role and have received training relevant to the child’s needs. Staff benefit from regular team meetings and reflective supervision, which are used to strengthen staff knowledge and skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff record incidents well. There is also an opportunity for staff to record and reflect on the actions they have taken and consider what worked well and how practice could be improved. The manager reviews this alongside the views of the child. Management oversight is used effectively to identify shortfalls, learning and any additional training required to ensure there are continued improvements in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has put in place an action plan following the requirements made at the full inspection. Actions set have been addressed and requirements met. A workforce plan is also in place, setting out further areas for development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2847810 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: 2847810 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Alcedo House, Unit 14, Slaidburn Industrial Estate, Slaidburn Crescent, Southport PR9 9YF

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Inspectors

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Inspector Sam Baird, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2847810 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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