Children's Home run by Positive Futures Support Care Limited in Liverpool

Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 1 Registered provider: Positive Futures Support Care 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 is owned by a private organisation. It provides care for 1 child 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, they have notified Ofsted of their intention to cancel the registration for this home.

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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.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 12 13 and 14 May 2026. Inspectors identified serious concerns about safeguarding practices in the home and ineffective leadership and management arrangements.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following the inspection, three compliance notices were issued under Section 22A of the Care Standards Act. Compliance notices were issued under regulation 12, the protection of children standard, regulation 13, the leadership and management standard and regulation 32. Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 2 A monitoring visit took place on the 23 June 2026 which found that the provider had taken sufficient action to meet the compliance notices. Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/05/2026 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 4

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Summary of findings

Weaknesses in leadership and management, particularly in respect of care planning, have meant that the child’s needs have not been met. Shortfalls in the safeguarding practices and leadership and management of the home have negatively impacted a child's safety, their educational progress and lived experience.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have not taken a consistent approach to managing access to electronic devices. This has contributed to a lack of structure and routine in the home that has impacted on the child’s emotional wellbeing.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have not taken a consistent approach to managing the child’s risks. As a result of poor oversight, opportunities to review and identify how to effectively manage the child’s risks have been missed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child’s experiences of living in the home are variable. The child’s plans are not sufficiently detailed, and leaders and managers have not considered all relevant risk factors in order to maintain their safety. This means that staff lack the direction of how to keep the child safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child currently living in the home has limited routines and structure. Staff do not have access to appropriate strategies to manage the child’s access to electronic devices. Therefore, the child’s time online is not managed safely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff lack the skills to develop meaningful relationships with the child. As a result, the child spends significant periods of their time in their room and has not enjoyed any hobbies or activities in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The child is enrolled in an alternative education setting. However, staff do not provide consistently support the child to attend. Managers and staff have not effectively planned for the child's progression into employment, education or training after secondary education. As a result, the child's attendance remains sporadic, and they are not reaching their academic potential. Staff have not considered how restrictions on the child's contact with other children may affect their future plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff do not consistently prioritise the child’s health needs. Staff have failed to support the child to attend sexual health appointments and required immunisations remain outstanding. Managers have not developed a clear plan to support the child’s emotional and mental health. In addition, staff do not apply consistent and clearly defined strategies to reduce the risks associated with the child using an electronic cigarette. Staff understand how important it is for children to spend time with the people who Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 5 matter to them. The manager works with parents to ensure that family time is handled sensitively and opportunities for family time are explored.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The home is warm and comfortable. The child has opportunities to personalise their bedroom and they share their ideas on how they would like their room decorated.

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

Safeguarding practice in the home is poor. Systems for reviewing and analysing risks lack consistency. Incidents that occur are managed in line with procedure, however themes linked to the child’s behaviours are not evaluated or understood. As a consequence, managers and staff adopt a reactive approach to meeting the child’s complex needs.

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

Risk assessments are completed and reviewed in a timely manner. Despite this, staff lack the knowledge and understanding of how to keep the child safe online. Staff lack an awareness of the child’s online activity and have not taken action to implement strategies to manage the risks despite the child being subject to a criminal investigation regarding their online actions. This leaves the child and others at risk of harm.

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

Staff do not effectively plan direct work with the child. Despite the significant risks identified, staff complete key-work sessions without sufficient planning to address and reduce those risks. Leaders and managers do not adequately evaluate interventions designed to promote positive behaviour. As a result, they cannot effectively monitor, review or adapt strategies to meet the child's needs.

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

Incidents of the child going missing from the home are rare. When incidents do occur, there is a multi-agency approach to prioritise the child’s safety. When physical interventions have taken place, these have been managed in line with procedures and staff use de-escalation strategies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The leadership and management of the home is not effective. The registered manager had submitted her resignation and is due to leave her role. Difficulties between the registered manager and responsible individual has impacted on their working relationship.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Systems are not in place to monitor and oversee the quality of care being provided in the home. Plans for the child do not include all known risks for the child and lack clear strategies and guidance for staff to follow.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Monitoring systems have been insufficient in identifying weaknesses linked to practice and lack thorough analysis leading to ineffective management oversight. Despite regular team meetings and staff supervision, a culture of evaluation and learning is absent which limit’s staff’s ability to implement effective strategies. Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 6 Staff have access to training opportunities. However, the workforce development plan focuses on training completed rather than identifying future development needs. Although the training completed reflects the child's identified needs, staff have not consistently applied this learning in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not taken effective action to address the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. As a result, there are repeated breaches of the regulations. This demonstrates that leaders and managers have not sustained effective improvements or provided effective oversight and management of the home. Consequently, the quality of care provided to the child has not improved sufficiently. Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 7

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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, 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

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home's child protection policies is monitored regularly.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person should ensure that there are clear plans in place for staff to follow to safeguard the child. 27 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 8 The registered person must ensure that key work is planned, delivered and evaluated and that this reduces the risks for the child. *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 has sufficient staff to provide care for 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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Requirement Due date

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. 27 September 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 9 (Regulation 13(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that there is consistent leadership and management of the home; that systems are in place to review the quality of care in the home; that there is sufficient staffing that meets the needs of the child in the home; and that all incidents are evaluated to inform the delivery of key work. 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; and

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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

(ii)manage and review the placement of each child in the home;

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person should ensure that sufficient care plans are in place to ensure the needs of children can be met by the skills and experience of the staff working in the home.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement is restated. 27 December 2026

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Requirement Due date

The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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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

develop the child's interests and hobbies;

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Requirement Due date

participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child's interests and preferences; and

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Requirement Due date

make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community; and 27 December 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 10 that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child's interests and hobbies.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 9 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii) (b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person should ensure that children have appropriate routines and structure in place which supports their involvement in activities and hobbies in the community. 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 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; 27 December 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 11 help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child's relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 8 (1)(2)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(ix)(x)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that there is a clear education plan that supports children’s transition into post 16 education, training and employment.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child's health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child's health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child's health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child's well-being;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is registered as a patient with a general medical practitioner and a registered dental practitioner; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) (c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that children's sexual health needs are met, that immunisations are completed 27 December 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 12 and that a clear plan is in place to support children's emotional wellbeing. The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

meet each child's behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child's relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child's behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child's age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child's age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful; and

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 11 (1)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person should ensure that appropriate routines and structure are in place that support children to lead their daily lives.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, that boundaries are implemented to manage time spent online and reduce the risk of harm whilst using electronic devices. 27 December 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 13 Specifically, that child children completed key work is completed to help them understand risks associated with vaping and actions online.

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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: 2859322 14

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Positive Futures Support Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 25 Goodlass Road Unit A310, Valleyfield Accountants, Liverpool L24 9HJ

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Inspectors

Jon Dutton, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Nicola Rutherford, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2859322 15 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

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

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