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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager responded quickly to the requirements raised at the last full inspection. Firstly, she has improved the plans for young people taking fully into account their backgrounds and involving the young people in reviewing plans. She has ensured they are personalised to the young person and fully meet their needs. Secondly, the registered manager and staff have strongly advocated for young people, ensuring their educational needs are met, including the provision of specialist support when this is required. This means the needs of the young people remain at the heart of good care practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective quality care supports young people to make good progress with education. All the young people are in full-time and permanent education and achieving consistently good attendance. One young person is on track to achieve good grades at forthcoming GCSE examinations. This is supported by staff with the completion of coursework at home and receiving additional educational input at school to remain on target to achieve very good grades. It is to the credit of the registered manager, staff and young people that they actively use revision and coursework guides that are available throughout the home. Education is a priority. Staff are ambitious and committed to the young people achieving well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The health needs of young people are consistently promoted. Annual health assessments are completed in a timely manner and young people have primary health care services in place. Young people benefit from a well-balanced diet agreed with them through consultation. Exercise is promoted, with one young person enjoying aerobic exercise and another enjoying boxing exercise. When staff identify a risk to young people’s health, robust action is taken. For example, one young person started smoking and using alcohol. In response, key work sessions and education was provided which diverted the young person away from this behaviour. As a result young people benefit from good health; they also understand the benefits derived from regular exercise and a healthy balanced diet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The environment is homely, warm and caring. The fabric of the house is inviting and maintained to a high standard. The home is personalised and reflective of the young people living there. Photographs of special occasions are displayed and staff members talk enthusiastically and with pride over achievements of the young people. A young person spoken to was vehement in stating, ‘I have a life here, I was moved here from a dangerous place and I have settled here and made friends here, I want to go to college here’. This young person spoke confidently and assertively having made significant progress since moving to the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good, positive relationships exist between the young people and staff. The young people receive nurture and their strengths promoted by a staff group that are proud of them and see their potential. A member of staff stated, ‘it is lovely here and all the girls are lovely’. There has developed a culture within the home of communication between staff and young people, where humour, negotiation and compassion help the young people to thrive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding young people takes precedence. The registered manager and staff work effectively with partner agencies to protect young people. Regular meetings take place including looked after children’s reviews and other key meetings when required. The manager and staff work in accordance with the local children safeguarding board procedures and staff members are well trained and versed in these procedures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have individual behaviour and risk management plans. These plans identify particular areas of risk to young people and the key services and strategies to reduce risk. Some young people are at risk of inflicting self-injury. In response they have received specialist therapeutic intervention, supported by effective multi- agency planning. As a result, incidents have decreased. The registered manager and staff implement clear and effective boundaries regarding young people’s behaviour. This means young people understand what constitutes acceptable behaviour. Due to this there is little recourse to sanctions and more punitive behaviour management. Positive behaviour is rewarded and celebrated. One young person received well-deserved praise and reward for her role as a police cadet in the remembrance day parade locally.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been one occasion where the staff have had to resort to the use of physical intervention with a young person. This incident was proportionate and required to prevent injury to young people and staff members. Following the intervention the registered manager failed to ensure the staff involved received de-briefs and adequate recording of such. This prevents detailed analysis taking place of the incident and any learning that may prevent future recurrence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment of staff is good, with robust processes in place to ensure that those in positions of trust are thoroughly vetted. Staff are supported, supervised and accountable in their work with young people. Ongoing training opportunities help build the skills and working practices of staff, especially safeguarding and behaviour management. Resulting in young people being better protected by well- informed and supervised staff who are charged with their care and protection.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is part of a larger private company that provides services to local authorities. 

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (''the authorised person'') has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm that it is accurate. (Regulation 35(b)(i)(ii)) 11/03/2016

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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