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

Inspection report children’s home: 1249326 1 Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children who have experienced childhood instability resulting in trauma and associated complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in February 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, in July 2018, Ofsted made no requirements or recommendations. The service continues to meet children’s individual needs exceptionally well. This is because managers and staff provide excellent individualised care and support.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to make significant progress in all areas of their development. Staff ensure that individual care plans reflect the aims and objectives of the placing authority. Children’s thoughts, wishes and opinions remain central to decisions made about their care. The registered manager and the staff prioritise consultation with children. Listening to children is a fundamental principle in the day-to-day running of the home. This ethos ensures that children are fully involved in the care-planning process. One child told the Inspection report children’s home: 1249326 2 inspector, ‘I have made so much progress. The staff just know how to help me. They listen to me and I am now able to manage my emotions much better.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff fully understand children’s backgrounds and appreciate how these can influence their behaviours and actions. Staff use this knowledge to devise bespoke internal care plans. Staff deliver personalised care through one-to-one key-work sessions. These help children to reflect on their personal circumstance and to develop the emotional resilience that they need to move forward with their lives.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Working in partnership with other professionals is a considerable strength of the service. This is because the registered manager is effective in identifying and engaging with other agencies that are able to meet children’s individual needs. For example, when children require specialist therapy to support their emotional and psychological development, the registered manager makes sure that this is accessed. Where there are barriers, he is tenacious in finding a solution. A teacher said, ‘I can’t fault the staff. We have worked collaboratively, and we have supported each other. [Name of child] receives the highest standard of care. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff. They genuinely care about him and want the very best for him. Their communication is excellent.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support children’s learning and help them to understand the importance of education. This means that children begin to understand the advantages of good school attendance. For example, one child is undertaking revision in preparation for exams and has identified a college she wishes to attend. She has been supported to undertake work experience to support her studies and to ensure that she has every opportunity to achieve her ambitions. When children face barriers to education, the registered manager is dynamic in his challenge of other professionals. Subsequently, children continue to receive the help and support they need to ensure that education is a positive experience for them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between children and staff remain extremely positive. These ensure that children feel emotionally safe and secure. Staff continue to use these relationships to help and support children to develop their confidence. It is through these relationships that managers and staff create a welcoming, stable and family-orientated home for children. As a result, children thrive. One child told the inspector, ‘The staff have been really helpful, and I am so thankful for everything they do. My keyworker is just the best. She knows how to support me and is so easy to talk to.’

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/07/2018 Full Outstanding 14/03/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 05/07/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 1249326 3

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 98 Lancaster Road, Newcastle under Lyme ST5 1DS

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Inspector

Annemarie Parker, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1249326 4 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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