Children's Home run by Unity Residential Care Services Limited in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC447645 Inspector Michelle Spruce Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Unity Residential Care Services Ltd Registered person address Cartwright House Broad Street STOKE-ON- TRENT ST1 4EU Responsible individual Israel Kofi Amponsah Registered manager Laura Elizabeth Wilcox Date of last inspection 25/06/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 18/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action since the last inspection.

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has addressed the three requirements and two recommendations. As a result of this inspection, the home is judged to have sustained effectiveness. One requirement has been made.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has reviewed the Statement of Purpose and sent a copy to Ofsted. It now includes all information required about staff. This means anyone receiving the Statement of Purpose will have up-to-date information. Regulation 33 monitoring reports have been sent to Ofsted. This ensures information is shared in line with regulation. The manager completes a quarterly review of the quality of care and has also provided these reports in a timely manner to Ofsted. Notifications of significant events are now sent to Ofsted in line with regulation. All staff have now either completed or are booked to complete training in child sexual exploitation. This means staff are more able to recognise, help and understand young people who are at risk.

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This inspection

Panels around the upstairs bath walls are damaged. The external maintenance schedule plan had this work down to be completed in January 2015 because it is deemed urgent. However, the work remains outstanding. This delay presents a health and safety hazard.

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This inspection

Staff plan well and engage with local services to help young people move in and out of the home smoothly. Young people new to the home and those who remain in placement are making progress. For example, emotional resilience is improving and education attendance is stable.

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This inspection

Young people have access to complaint forms and understand the procedure for raising concerns. Young people are supported in making complaints and the 3 of 5 manager provides a written outcome following any investigation. As a result, young people feel safe in raising concerns and are protected from harm.

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This inspection

Missing episodes for all young people have significantly reduced. However, some young people still go missing from care. Staff work in joint partnership with the missing from care team, family, police and social workers to ensure young people are returned quickly and safely.

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This inspection

The manager has safely recruited four staff since the last inspection. This maintains good staffing levels and keeps young people safe. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a private children's care organisation and is registered to accommodate three young people with emotional and/ or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/06/2014 Full good 18/09/2013 Interim good progress 20/06/2013 Full adequate

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure all parts of the home to which children have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their health or safety. (Regulation 23(a)) 30/04/2015 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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