Children's home run by Unity Residential Care Services Limited in Newcastle-under-Lyme

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide children and young people with support and encouragement to develop their self-esteem and confidence. Children and young people do not go missing from care or are at risk of exploitation. Children and young people’s behaviour at times can require staff to intervene. This can include physical restraint. Managers and staff are aware of the reasons for an increase in interventions. However, managers do not always scrutinise the physical interventions in order to look at alternative behaviour management strategies. Children and young people attend education regularly. Since the last inspection, one child has moved up a class. He is very proud of his achievement. His placing authority has recognised this achievement. This includes honouring him with an achievement award in the form of a trophy. Children and young people enjoy a good range of activities. Staff are creative and encourage children and young people to try different activities until they find the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

right activity for them. For example, children and young people have attended Pokémon tournaments, amateur swimming clubs, dance performance class and attend the theatre once per month. Staff promote children and young people to spend quality time with their families. For example, on Christmas day children and young people’s families enjoyed dinner at the home. As a result, children and young people were not isolated from their families and enjoyed this special occasion with people who are important to them. This gave children and young people a sense of belonging and happy memories of Christmas. Children and young people continue to have access to all primary health services and are happy to attend routine appointments. This ensures that children and young people’s physical health is routinely assessed. Managers and staff continually strive to improve the experiences and progress of children and young people. For example, a speech therapist is working with staff to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

help move a child forward to their next stage of development. Keyworker sessions are creative, child focused and incorporate fun into topics that children and young people find difficult. Staff use interactive websites to illustrate the information and try different techniques to help children and young people to absorb information, for example ‘playground rules’ and ‘what to do when you don’t get your own way’. Consequently, children and young people are learning about issues that are important in a child-focused manner.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home may only provide care and accommodation for up to three children and may provide care and accommodation for children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and the above principles, as set out in 9.35, are respected. (‘The guide to the quality standards, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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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 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates at: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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