Children's Home run by Mercia Children Services Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for children’s home: 2587763 1 Registered provider: Mercia Children Services 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 by a private provider and offers care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since May 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were no children living in the home.

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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 requires improvement to be 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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Enforcement action since last inspection:

This home was judged to have serious and widespread concerns at the assurance inspection on the 8 April 2026. Two compliance notices were issued under section 22A of the Care Standards Act 2000. The compliance notices were in relation to Regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and Regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. Following a case review, it was determined that the steps outlined in the compliance notices issued under Regulation 12 and Regulation 13 have been met. Inspection report for children’s home: 2587763 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/03/2026 Full Good 25/02/2025 Full Good 25/01/2024 Full Good 21/09/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2587763 3

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Summary of findings

Children experience stable relationships with staff, make progress in education and employment, and are supported to develop emotional regulation. Safeguarding practice has improved, with staff demonstrating stronger risk management, appropriate responses to incidents and effective partnership working. Management oversight has improved and systems are in place, but these are not yet fully embedded into daily practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are currently no children living in the home. One child’s move was a planned move to semi-independence. The other child moved due to concerns about the recent changes in management and how this was communicated to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience stable and supportive relationships with staff over long periods of time. Staff get to know them well and understand their needs. This helps staff provide care that is responsive and tailored to the individual child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress in several areas, including education and independence. They remain in education or employment and are supported to keep in touch with family and friends. They are supported to take part in activities that improve their health and confidence, such as basketball club.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have discussions with children to help them understand risks, manage behaviour and build stronger relationships. Over time, this supports improvements in how they communicate their needs and remain calm and regulated.

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

Staff show a clear focus on keeping children safe. Responses to incidents are consistent and proportionate, with staff taking practical steps to reduce risk and prevent situations from escalating.

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

Risk is actively monitored and reviewed. When concerns arise, such as allegations or unsafe behaviours, records show that risk assessments are updated quickly and used to guide staff responses. This includes increasing supervision of children and putting clear safety measures in place.

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

Staff have an increased understanding of safeguarding and whistleblowing. Training has been put in place to increase their skills, knowledge and confidence. This is reinforced through staff supervision and team discussions, helping staff feel confident in recognising and responding to concerns. Inspection report for children’s home: 2587763 4 There is good communication with partner agencies, and staff involve them appropriately to support safety planning. Actions taken, such as restricting free time or increasing staffing, are clearly linked to risk and aimed at keeping the child safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers do not consistently recognise the significance of incidents where children may be at risk, and these are not always recorded appropriately. As a result, some incidents do not receive sufficient management oversight or robust analysis, limiting opportunities to identify patterns, evaluate practice and strengthen safeguarding responses.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

A significant amount of work has taken place to improve the culture in the home and raise standards in staff knowledge about whistleblowing and safeguarding. A code of conduct has been implemented. Although the changes are at a very early stage, staff demonstrate a good understanding of these expectations and feel confident to raise concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Significant incidents are not consistently reported to Ofsted. While appropriate action is taken at the time to safeguard children, this limits effective regulatory oversight and reduces external scrutiny of safeguarding practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Training is appropriate and supports staff to carry out their roles effectively. Induction is structured and covers key areas, including safeguarding, behaviour management and first aid. Staff value face-to-face training opportunities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Supervision is regular and reflective, enabling staff to review practice and consider children’s needs. Team meetings are used effectively to share information, develop practice and support planning for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Children’s views are not included in quality of care review reports, reducing the opportunity for children to influence how they are cared for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Professionals report positive partnership working, with clear communication and a collaborative approach that supports planning and continuity of care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2587763 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 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

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)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The provider must ensure that incidents are evaluated with scrutiny, taking into consideration any possible learning outcomes that can be implemented in children’s risk management plans, or to support the development of staff. 31 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to,

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Requirement Due date

sexual exploitation; 31 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2587763 6 an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that significant incidents are notified to Ofsted.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that when completing a quality of care review, children’s feedback must be taken into consideration and evidenced in the report. 31 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2587763 7

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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: 2587763 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Mercia Children Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Windsor House, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3AT

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Inspectors

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2587763 9 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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