Challenge

Within the Liverpool City Region, 89% of children’s homes are operated by the private sector and just 2% by the voluntary sector. Only 9% of looked after children are growing up in residential homes and only one-third of these children live in the area where they grew up. 

We are Juno has designed a new approach to children’s residential care to meet these significant local challenges and help keep more children “in area”. 

Solution

At the heart of Juno’s model is a commitment to creating local homes where young people feel safe, loved and supported in all aspects of their emotional, physical and educational development. They are creating a network of high-quality, not-for-profit homes that transform opportunities for children growing up in the care system across Liverpool City Region, and beyond. 

Social investment was part of a diverse financial income to enable them to open Juno Oxton, a home for up to four young people. 

Revenue

Income is generated through providing these essential services to local authorities. We Are Juno CIC has a diverse finance toolkit, including other loans from Wirral MBC, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, capital from a private social investor alongside various grants and donations.  

Any surplus funds are repurposed, supporting early help and prevention work for children and families within the communities they work in. 

Impact

The staff team take a relationship centred approach, delivering a model of care rooted in social pedagogy and Trauma Informed Practice.

They have already opened their first children’s residential home supporting four children in Liverpool and that home was rated “Good” in all areas by Ofsted in January 2024.

 A second home in Wallasey for four children is due to open in July 2024 and a third is planned for Winter 2024. They also plan to work collaboratively with like-minded providers, developing learning programmes and workforce initiatives that improve the quality of practice in care and support the retention of staff in the sector. 

“Blended social finance has provided We are Juno CIC with the resources we need to design and develop high quality homes for children in Liverpool City Region. As a new provider, we’re learning about what’s required to achieve the very best for young people. Our socially minded investors have provided the flexibility and support we’ve needed to move forward”. 

Sophie Clarke, Managing Director, We are Juno

“We were delighted to support We Are Juno in launching their first children’s home in the Liverpool City Region. We Are Juno have an innovative model of service delivery that has the potential to scale and address some of the structural problems in the children’s care sector. Our partnership is an excellent example of how catalytic social investment can drive social impact when used at the earliest stages of an organisation’s growth journey.”

Joe Ray, Social Investment and Innovation Advisor, Postcode Innovation Trust