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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1259114 1 Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. The home provides care for 3 children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a permanent registered manager who is suitably experienced.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1259114 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/12/2019 Full Good 11/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 1259114 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are two children living at the home. One child has moved on from the home. There are preparations underway for another child to move in imminently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have good relationships with staff. Staff respond to children with warmth and compassion and are available and attentive to them. There is an ethos of acceptance and inclusion at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are making progress at the home. Children have individual goals that incentivise them to make progress. Children recognise their own progress and are proud of their achievements. For example, one child has developed a keen interest in fitness. Staff have encouraged this and set up training programmes for him. As a result, he has increased his fitness and overall physical well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy access to many activities in line with their interests and hobbies. One child is a proud member of the scouts. All children enjoy the shared activity of football training, and they go to watch football matches. Children each have a memory book with photos of the many activities and outings they have enjoyed. Staff are keen for children to keep these when they move on from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Plans for children moving on from the home and moving into the home are well considered. Managers made the difficult decision for one child to move on. The well- being of all children at the home was central to this decision-making. Preparations for children moving into the home are well planned and detailed. For example, children are introduced gradually to the home, and their bedrooms are accessorised with various items, such as their favourite football team’s merchandise.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children all attend school. Children’s educational achievements are celebrated and rewarded at the home. One child is an avid reader, so the staff ensure there are plenty of books to read for pleasure. The manager and staff work in good partnership with schools. As a result, children are making educational progress and sustaining excellent attendance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop and maintain relationships with their families where it is appropriate to do so. Children have photos of their families displayed in their bedrooms. One parent gave very positive feedback about the staff who supported her to spend quality time with her child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to share their views and make choices every day, and they enjoy sharing their views through house meetings. The manager provides feedback on all their comments in an appealing format. As a result, children have a strong voice in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1259114 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children feel safe living at the home. Children are relaxed and have fun because their needs are met and they feel safe. Children are confident in asking staff for help. Staff respond in an authentic way, showing genuine interest in the child’s worries and requests.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff provide clear guidance and boundaries to children. Children know what is expected of them. Staff are vigilant in monitoring children’s well-being. They take prompt action to reduce children’s anxieties and de-escalate behaviours. For example, they provide reassurance and use activities for distraction. As a result, there are a low number of behavioural incidents.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children receive a lot of direct work from their key workers on issues such as internet safety, for example. This is often carried out over several sessions to reinforce the learning. This is in line with children’s individual needs. As a result, children are increasing their understanding of keeping themselves safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s risks are identified and clearly documented in their plans. These detailed records reflect changes in the children’s behaviour and vulnerabilities. Staff understand how to keep children safe. Staff encourage children to engage in positive risk-taking, such as taking a local walk on their own. This is part of developing children’s independence.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The home is well maintained. Staff take prompt action to address any concerns identified. The staff make health and safety checks. These are consistently carried out. As a result, the home is a safe environment for children, free from hazards. Children are encouraged to contribute to maintaining a tidy and clean home. One child helped repair the damage he had caused to a wall.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a registered manager and a trainee manager. They are both experienced and working towards completing their qualifications.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers are very knowledgeable about children’s needs and are aspirational for their futures. Managers confidently advocate for children and escalate concerns when necessary. For example, one child needed an assessment to identify what support they will need as an adult. This is now in progress due to the challenge made by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable team of staff who are well supported by managers. Managers work with staff to develop in their roles. As a result, staff are now confident to share ideas and take the lead on initiatives, such as a child’s independence program.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training that equips them to meet children’s needs and keep them safe. For example, they understand how to apply the therapeutic model with children at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1259114 5 Managers work in collaboration with other professionals in a positive way. A teacher highlighted that the managers are regularly sharing information with the school. As a result, risks for a child have been managed consistently, both at home and in the school.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most staff receive regular supervision. However, the registered manager’s does not always receive regular supervisions. Agency staff working at the home have not received supervision or had their induction documented. This is a missed opportunity for staff to receive the necessary support to meet children’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 1259114 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to supervision of the registered manager and agency staff. A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. 10 March 2023

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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’. Inspection report for children’s home: 1259114 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Lymevale Court, Lyme Drive, Parklands, Stoke- on-Trent ST4 6NW

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Inspector

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1259114 8 inspects to 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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