We are Juno CIC, Liverpool City Region’s not-for-profit children’s residential homes, and its social investors have won the Social Investment Pioneer Award at NatWest’s SE 100 Social Business Awards at a ceremony in London.
The national awards, which recognise the very best social enterprises across the UK, took place on Wednesday 16 July 2024.
The Social Investment Pioneer was awarded to We are Juno CIC and its social investors Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Wirral Council and Postcode Innovation Trust for ‘groundbreaking or innovative deals, programmes or funds in social / impact investment’.
We are Juno CIC is a social enterprise set up by Liverpool-based Capacity as an alternative to profit-driven models that dominate the children’s residential landscape.
Sophie Clarke, Juno’s managing director, said:
“We are really proud of winning this award as it celebrates the collaborative, courageous approach that our investment partners have taken when supporting us to open our first homes for children.
At the heart of our story is a team of caring professionals working alongside amazing care-experienced young people to design and deliver homes where children feel safe, loved and supported in their local community.
Without social investment from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Wirral Council and Postcode Innovation Trust, We are Juno would just be a nice idea. With our partner’s support, we’ve opened our first home, and learnt a huge amount about what’s required to make a difference to the lives of children in our care.
We’re just about to open our second home, and with a third planned later this year, it’s clear to see the incredibly positive role that social investment has played in bringing our plans to life.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“Children placed in residential homes deserve the highest level of care possible to meet their needs, including the standards of the homes they are living in.
"Unfortunately, while costs have increased for councils and the standards of residential homes have plummeted, private owners of residential homes have made substantial profits, despite allowing falling conditions to contribute to appalling experiences for young people at a very high human cost.
“The whole point of devolution is to be able to do things differently and make decisions that improve things in our area. We’re putting the public back into public services, - helping to deliver good homes that meet our young people’s basic needs. It’s great to see Juno being recognised for the effective and innovative work it is doing.”
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Juno has rightfully won the Social Investment Pioneer Award and it’s wonderful to see Postcode Innovation Trust, which backs groundbreaking projects across Great Britain sharing this award.
"We are thrilled to see our players' support going beyond building homes. It is changing the lives of young people for the better in the Liverpool City Region."
Many children in care are placed outside the city region, sometimes hundreds of miles away from their families, friends and schools, and the communities that are so important to them.
We are Juno CIC’s Experts by Experience have shared their experiences and what needs to change in order for residential care homes to be great places to grow up.
We are Juno CIC Oxton was rated ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted in January 2024.
Our second home in Wallasey is being prepared for opening in August 2024.
We are Juno CIC plans to open up to ten homes in Liverpool City Region over the next five years.
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