Children’s home in St Helens rated inadequate in latest Ofsted report

A children’s home in St Helens has been criticised by Ofsted for its inadequate leadership and management following a recent inspection.

The inspection at PIC Children’s Services occurred in April and has led to concerns about the welfare of children living there.

According to Ofsted, weaknesses in leadership, management, and safeguarding negatively affected children's safety, progress, and experiences.

Staff were found lacking the necessary skills to meet individual needs consistently, and children’s behaviours were reported to the police as opposed to being understood and supported.

The report highlighted that children spent extended periods isolated in their bedrooms, impacting their sense of belonging. It also pointed out that children’s health needs were not consistently met.

Ofsted noted lapses in following missing-from-home plans and safeguarding procedures, which have put children at risk of significant harm.

Despite these criticisms, Ofsted found the staff team to be stable, with positive reviews of the support they receive from management. It set out recommendations for improvement, which include staff treating children with genuine warmth and respect.

Following the inspection, PIC Children’s Services has committed to making immediate improvements to address these concerns.

A spokesperson from the home said they were disappointed by the inspection outcome and that the safety and welfare of children remain their highest priority.

The home pledged to enhance safeguarding oversight, management scrutiny, and quality assurance to return to the standards previously judged as good.

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