Knowsley Council operates four residential children’s homes, providing care, support and short breaks to children, young people and their families. This includes children with a learning a disability as well as children with social or emotional difficulties.
As well as supporting children and young people, the homes also provide outreach support to children, their families and their carers.
All of the children’s homes are judged to be ‘Good’ by Ofsted and inspections include the overall experiences and progress of children and young people taking into account how well children and young people are helped and protected and also the effectiveness of leaders and managers.
Feedback from the inspections include:-
- “Staff provide children and their families with a high level of individualised support, which includes short-break care and community-based support sessions in the evenings.”
- “Children benefit from intense and focused direct-work sessions, which are carried out during their short breaks. This work contributes directly to each family’s wider support plan.”
- “The environment is warm, welcoming and has a relaxed atmosphere.”
Feedback from children and parents is also included in the Ofsted inspection process which includes:-
- Parents say that they can see the progress the children are making in developing their life skills and confidence in going out on activities. This positive development is enabling families to spend more time together, enjoying outings and creating positive memories.
- Staff have supported [the child], emotionally, they have helped a lot.
- Children look forward to visiting the home and have fun with staff.
- Children have made progress in many aspects of their lives.
- Children have positive experiences and fun during their stays, and they build friendships with other children.
Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said “I’m delighted that all of the council’s children’s homes are judged to be ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
“We have some truly dedicated managers and staff who ensure that stays are engaging, fun and aligned to needs. They provide invaluable support to our children and their families and they really deserve to be recognised so positively by Ofsted. Well done to you all.”