Children's home run by Unity Residential Care Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 2711614 1 Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A manager has been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. This child has moved into the home since the last full inspection.

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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: inadequate

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2711614 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2024 Full Inadequate 05/12/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2711614 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of care provided by the home has improved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has built positive relationships with the staff and feedback from external professionals is positive. The care provided and the home environment offer the child a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is having positive experiences. For example, staff are supporting the child in creating a life-story book. This work focuses on the child’s journey and the positive experiences they have had while living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is welcoming, well presented, secure and clean. The home is a safe space that enables the child to express their wishes. The child has been involved in decisions in the home, including how to decorate their bedroom.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to promoting the child’s cultural and religious beliefs. Community- based activities develop social awareness and identity. Regular key-work sessions further the child’s understanding of emotional regulation and life experiences. Staff promote educational attainment.

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

Staff are committed to promoting the welfare of the child. Preventative measures and effective systems are in place to support the child if they go missing from the home. Staff work with a range of agencies to ensure that a multi-agency approach is used to reduce risk.

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

Staff know the child well and, through effective responses, keep the child safe. Staff monitor the child’s contact with family and friends to ensure that all the appropriate safeguards are in place. The staff listen to the child and support them to have time in the community with their friends.

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

Risk assessments are up to date and reflect the child’s care plan. The child engages in positive activities in the community, enhancing their social skills. Due to the progress the child has made since moving into the home, past levels of supervision have been reduced.

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

Staff advocate on behalf of the child and escalate concerns. Communication with professionals is consistent and child-focused. This is particularly noticeable around accessing additional support services.

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

Staff receive training that is specific to the needs of the child. New members of staff receive a comprehensive induction to help them develop their skills. Inspection report for children's home: 2711614 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, the leadership team has worked hard to create stable foundations for care in the home. Leaders have made good progress in their development of the home, including their application of theory-informed practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have created a reflective learning environment. Staff are receiving good-quality regular supervision sessions and annual appraisals. These sessions help to support professional development and learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems are in place. The manager has oversight of the standards of care in the home and makes sure that these align with the statement of purpose. The manager ensures that staff have good knowledge and understanding of the child’s needs. This is evident in records of team meetings and workshops.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has completed their regulation 45 review of the quality of care. The report provides a detailed review of the care provided by the home. However, it was not completed within the correct time frame. Inspection report for children's home: 2711614 5

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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, The 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 complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”).

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Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and

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Requirement Due date

make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5)) 29 November 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2711614 6

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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: 2711614 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unity Residential Care Ltd, 30 Chadwell Avenue, Romford RM6 4QH

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Inspectors

Helen Daniel, Social Care Inspector Natalie Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2711614 8 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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