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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person continues to live in the home. She is progressing well. There has been a change in manager. The previous registered manager left in December 2016. An experienced manager has been appointed and is currently in charge of the day-to-day running of the home. Ofsted are awaiting his application for registration.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person is excelling in her education. The young person has received nine commendations from school, including: ‘Excellent attitude in Spanish... Excellent progress in personal tuition... Excellent classwork in science.’ The young person’s school report shows good and excellent work, with 100% attendance.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person benefits from spending quality time with her family. As a result, the young person is not isolated from those who are important to her.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work with the young person to develop her independence. This includes having ‘free time’. As a result, the young person is starting to learn the skills that she will need in adulthood. For example, the young person now walks part of the way to school and returns on her own. She is also able to go into a shop and top up her mobile phone. This is giving the young person confidence and an ability to start becoming more independent.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person is safe living in this home. Behaviour management in the home has improved. Positive reinforcements are routinely used and staff are now expected to earn the young person’s respect rather than presume they have it. As a result, there have been no physical interventions. The young person does not go missing. This reduces the risk of child sexual exploitation. Allegations are followed up swiftly and the appropriate safeguarding professionals are informed.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person enjoys activities that she chooses for herself. For example, she went to the set of the television show ‘Hollyoaks’, and had her photograph taken with one of the actors. She attends a dance class with her friend and enjoys going on holidays in the provider’s caravan. This means that the young person is gaining social skills and enjoying herself at the same time. Requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. The young person now benefits from a staff team that meets her needs. New staff have the necessary skills and experience. Recruitment processes ensure that new staff are suitably vetted prior to starting employment. This improves the quality of the service provided to the young person.

p.2

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private organisation.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/11/2016 Full Good 26/01/2016 Full Good

p.4

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’.

p.5

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. 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 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.

p.5

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 .

p.5

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,

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6