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

Inspection report children’s home: 1259114 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. The manager was registered with Ofsted in January 2018. He is suitably qualified and experienced.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has taken positive action to meet the previous requirements. Physical interventions are rarely used in the home but when these occur they are now appropriately recorded and debriefs take place. The registered manager ensures that these incidents are thoroughly reviewed with a view to learning lessons and improving practice.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have a positive experience living in this home. They are provided with stability through an experienced team of staff who know them very well and with whom they have warm and trusting relationships. Young people have fun with staff and Inspection report children’s home: 1259114 2 together they enjoy a range of activities. The enthusiastic staff help young people to develop their interests and talents. This helps young people to develop a positive sense of self-esteem.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy their trusting relationships with staff. They engage well with key- work sessions, which are tailored to meet each young person’s individual needs. In addition to key-work sessions, two young people are engaged in more formal independence preparation. A social worker informed the inspector that she was impressed with the work that the staff undertake to prepare young people for adulthood.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have an excellent understanding of young people’s vulnerabilities. Regularly reviewed risk assessments provide staff with clear guidance on how to keep young people safe. Risk assessments are written from the young person’s perspective and it is clear that they are involved in the development of these plans. As a result, young people understand their plans and the actions that staff might need to take to safeguard them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff follow clear, well-written behaviour management plans. This means that young people feel reassured and receive sensitive, supportive care from staff. Staff help children to understand their behaviours and how to develop their social skills in a safe environment.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people living in the home have complex needs because of their early experiences and associated trauma. The registered manager proactively seeks specialist support when this is necessary and ensures that young people receive the support that they need.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager understands the home’s strengths and weaknesses exceptionally well. He quickly addresses shortfalls and ensures that improvements are sustained. The statement of purpose accurately reflects the services offered by the home and is clear about the support offered to young people. The registered manager keeps young people at the heart of all that he does. He is ambitious for young people and ensures that this ethos is cascaded throughout the entire staff team.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/10/2018 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1259114 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: Unity Residential Care Services Limited, 98 Lancaster Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 1DS

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Inspector

Annemarie Parker, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1259114 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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