Children's home run by Unity Residential Care Services Limited in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Inspection report for children's home: SC412385 1 SC412385 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 operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to three children who have experienced childhood instability which has resulted in trauma and associated complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The new manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023. She is currently undertaking an appropriate level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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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

Date of last inspection: 24 January 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC412385 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/01/2023 Full Good 21/09/2021 Full Outstanding 03/03/2020 Full Outstanding 06/11/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC412385 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home. They are making good progress and have nurturing relationships with staff. Staff know the children well and this is helping to build positive relationships. Children feel secure, and they have adults to confide in. One child said that they like the staff and enjoy spending time with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress with their education, including home and online learning. There are plans for both children to return to school following a history of refusing to engage in education. Communication between the home’s staff and school staff is effective. This ensures that children receive the support that they need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are healthy and attend their health appointments. They are learning independence skills, such as baking cakes and caring for their pets.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s achievements are recognised and celebrated. Memory books contain photos of children enjoying activities and having fun, including on caravan holidays and trips to theme parks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The feel of the home is warm and friendly. Children’s bedrooms are personalised. Children also have a range of spacious communal rooms to relax in and a well- maintained rear garden to enjoy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Equality and diversity are promoted. Children are supported to explore diverse cultures and recognise religious and cultural festivals, such as Chinese New Year. This helps to develop children’s understanding about people who are different to themselves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to make a complaint, and their complaints are listened to. Staff capture the children’s views through house meetings and regular discussions. This supports children to share their views and influence decision-making about their day-to-day care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

External professionals spoke positively about the quality of care and how it has contributed to the progress of the children.

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

Children feel safe at the home. Staff understand children’s needs and the risks associated with their care. Risk assessments contain clear guidance to help staff manage and reduce risks for children.

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

Staff and health professionals work together to help children manage their feelings and emotions. This partnership working is supporting children to understand Inspection report for children's home: SC412385 4 boundaries and acceptable behaviour. A health professional said, ‘The manager is exceptionally proactive in seeking advice from the wider professional network surrounding the young people in their care to keep them safe.’

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

Staff use a range of techniques to support children when they are feeling upset, angry or anxious. This means physical intervention techniques are only used as a last resort. After incidents, staff talk to children to help them reflect on what happened. Staff are also encouraged to reflect on incidents and their learning to help prevent future incidents.

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

Children feel safe and secure. This means a child has only gone missing from the home on one occasion. Staff supported the child well to return to the home safely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, a new manager has registered with Ofsted. The manager is dedicated to her role and wants children to receive the best possible care. She is reflective about being a new manager and is undertaking a level 5 qualification in leadership and management of residential childcare.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good support from an experienced responsible individual. The responsible individual knows the children and staff well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Vetting procedures help to protect children from unsuitable adults. Staff have the necessary experience and skills to use a child-centred approach. New staff complete a good induction and training helps them meet children’s specific needs. A high number of staff have an appropriate level 3 diploma and others are working towards the qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been some staff changes since the last inspection and there are plans to build team morale. For example, a social event has been organised to help staff get to know each other better.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by the manager and receive structured supervision. The support helps them to learn and reflect on their practice, in line with the home’s therapeutic parenting model. Families and external professionals say that communication with the home is good.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of the service and effective monitoring systems support her to identify and evaluate the home’s strengths and areas for development. The manager reports serious events as required by the regulations, however, one notification submitted to Ofsted lacked important information and the actions taken were not shared. This makes it difficult for the regulator to have a clear understanding about how the manager has supported the child. Inspection report for children's home: SC412385 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. Notifications must include details of the action taken by the home’s staff in response to the event. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 14.13)

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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: SC412385 6

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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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Inspectors

Amy Richards, Social Care Inspector Mark Dickinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC412385 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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