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 outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to receive a high quality of care. Young people’s health needs continue to be fully met. Since the last inspection, one young person has spent a significant period of time in hospital. Members of staff visited the young person every day to make sure that the young person was safe, settled and felt valued and cared for by staff. Staff liaised with health professionals and family members to make sure that the young person’s emotional and physical health needs were consistently met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people attend school regularly. Staff advocate strongly for young people. Managers and staff work closely with the schools to make sure that they maintain young people’s placements through periods of difficulty or crisis. This gives young peoples a sense of continuity and improves their educational achievements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people engage in activities that they enjoy. For example, young people like playing badminton and participating in pamper evenings. Young people’s bedrooms are all individualised. For example, one young person has had a car painted on their walls by a graffiti artist. This has helped to make the young person very proud of their room.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work closely with young people’s families. Young people see their families regularly. Staff make sure that young people enjoy good quality time with their family either in the community or at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff offer exceptional support to young people during difficult periods in their life. Young people are given keepsakes that they can treasure in respect of some of the memories that they have of loved ones who have died. Staff are sensitive to anniversaries or dates that may be significant. This allows young people to feel safe and secure. Young people know that they can express verbal or non- verbalised behaviour around significant dates and that they will be fully cared for and supported by staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe in the home. The use of physical restraint is minimal and reflects the ability of staff to use de-escalation and other strategies to support young people at times of crisis. Following any incident of restraint, young people take part in de-brief meetings with staff to consider their behaviour and views on the use of restraint and to identify what could have been done differently. This reflects the staff commitment to engaging young people in all aspects of the care and support that they receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although young people’s relationships with each other can be tenuous at times, staff work hard with young people to help them to improve their relationships with each other. Staff relationships with young people are very good and young people state that they enjoy living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to two children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/11/2016 Full Outstanding 03/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/09/2015 Full Requires improvement 03/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 that 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. Whenever 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 whom 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: 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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