Exemplary report sees Josh MacAlister – the chair of The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care – visit the home
Independent charity, Nugent has today announced that its St Helens based secure children’s home Marydale, has received an outstanding Ofsted report, with the premises labeled as a place where ‘children benefit from a range of stimulating and purposeful activities that enable them to spend their time constructively.’
With Marydale now the only secure home in the country run by a charity to receive an outstanding Ofsted report, the home was also visited by Josh MacAlister, chair of The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and Will Quince, the Government’s children and families minister.
While on his visit, Mr MacAlister was able to meet staff and residents at Marydale, seeing first-hand the highly effective services provided at the premises, with all of these consistently exceeding the ‘standards of good’ in the eyes of Ofsted.
Normandie Wragg, Nugent CEO, said: “We take great pride in Marydale and for the children’s home to be held in such high regard by Ofsted is fantastic, after months of dedicated work, compassion and trauma informed training behind the scenes.
“Welcoming Minister Quince and Josh MacAlister through our doors and showcasing Marydale as best practice throughout the sector is a glowing testament to Nugent, Dr Kate Herod and her deputies, our staff members and the children that live and learn inside these premises.
“Throughout our 140 year history, our volunteers and employees have continued to be the beating heart of Nugent, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them, with this statement just as true today as it was in 1881.”
Josh MacAlister, chair of The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, said: “I’ve really enjoyed today’s visit and have particularly appreciated the chance to talk to children living here at Marydale.
“Where secure children’s homes are offering quality care I’m always keen to learn as much as I can and think about how we can make this the norm rather than the exception.”
Will Quince, children and families minister, said: “It was great to be able to visit St Helens with Josh MacAlister to see what an outstanding children’s home looks like. All young people deserve to be supported and protected and I want every looked-after child across the country to have access to the same high-quality care.
“From 2023, all providers of accommodation for children in care up to the age of 18 will be regulated by Ofsted and will be subject to new mandatory national standards. We are also investing in the largest package of children’s social care placements since 2010, backed by £259 million.”
Kate Herod, head of secure children’s care at Nugent, said: “We are over the moon to have been rated as an outstanding home, primarily because the most vulnerable children in our country deserve nothing less than outstanding care.
“Marydale prioritises relationships in our work; we understand the importance of forming meaningful and authentic relationships, in order to support children to overcome their challenges and transition into adulthood, in order to achieve their full potential.”
Highlighted for its fantastic work with children’s health, the progress of its children and young people and the effectiveness of its leaders and managers, Marydale continues to lead the way as a home that is regarded as best practice throughout the sector.
For more information about Nugent, visit its website, and on social media – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
