Children's Home run by Unity Residential Care Services Limited in Stoke-on-Trent

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 . Young people continue to receive good care from a dedicated staff team. The registered manager has recently left the home and the experienced deputy manager has been promoted. He is now in charge of the day-to-day running of the home. Ofsted are awaiting his application for registration. Young people are safe. Managers and staff clearly know the individual needs of each young person. They recognise their individual differences while, at the same time, ensuring their safety and minimising risks. The number of incidents where young people go missing has significantly reduced. As a result, the risk of child sexual exploitation has reduced for some young people. Behaviour management plans are individual to young people and staff use strategies that work for each young person. Managers and staff have a clear

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

understanding of why they need to safeguard young people and what young people need to make sure that they stay safe. Robust, clear risk assessments are child focused in their design. This involves young people and helps them to understand the risks that they face. Young people who attend school have excellent attendance. One young person has moved up to a higher ability class; in her first week she was awarded ‘Pupil of the week’ and received a certificate. This improves young people’s self-esteem and helps them to achieve educationally. Staff challenge other professionals to make sure that young people receive the services and support that they need. For example, a young person has recently been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) after managers highlighted this possibility. The young person is currently being assessed for an education, health and care plan. This ensures that the young person

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

receives the care and support that they need to make progress and achieve their full potential. The requirement and recommendations made at the last inspection have all been met. This means managers ensure that, in the event of a physical intervention, all records are up-to-date and reflect the date, time and location of the physical intervention. Furthermore, young people are involved in their day-to-day plans and are being prepared for adulthood.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for two children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home forms part of a large social care company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/11/2016 Full Good 09/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/01/2016 Full Outstanding 26/03/2015 Interim Improved 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. 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: 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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