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Inspection report for children’s home: SC488943 1 SC488943

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Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services Limited

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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 is registered to provide care for up to four children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a registered manager, who is suitably experienced. The manager has submitted a voluntary cancelation form and is due to leave the home imminently.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were four children living at the home. Three children were present and spoke with the inspector. One child was staying away from the home with staff, and they were not seen during this 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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC488943 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/03/2024 Full Outstanding 14/03/2023 Full Outstanding 21/02/2022 Full Good 11/02/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC488943 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Overall, children have good day-to-day experiences living at the home. Staff also help children enjoy enriching experiences, for example, one child went on a holiday abroad during the summer. The children living at the home currently have all made progress. Staff understand the targets children are working towards.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is a pleasant space for children. There are good communal spaces for shared living and socialising, and options for children to have quieter times within the snug and sensory rooms. Children have lovely bedrooms that reflect their interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A child moved to the home who did not settle well and moved on after a few weeks. There was considerable planning before they moved in, and introductory visits were made. Managers took decisive action when it was concluded they could not keep the child safe living at the home and recognised the impact on the other children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to keep healthy and attend their health appointments. Staff are patient and supportive when children have anxieties around this. Children have clear routines, and attending education is embedded as central to this routine. Children are making good progress at school, with one child achieving GCSEs this year and successfully moving on to college. The manager has escalated a complaint for one child who is awaiting a new school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a very social environment. Children are helped to develop friendships, and staff arrange joint activities with others who share their interests. Two children, who previously lived at the home, come to visit and are warmly welcomed and invited to join in meals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Consultation with children is strong, and staff are skilled and curious in following up any issues or concerns raised. Staff help children to have their voices heard. For example, staff helped one child make a complaint to their local authority about an untimely decision for them to move into independent living. This achieved a positive outcome and was empowering for the child. Staff encourage children to have independent advocates.

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

Staff give children clear boundaries and guidance. They are attuned and attentive to children’s needs; they observe any changes in children’s demeanour. Staff act promptly to de-escalate children’s heightened emotions, using agreed strategies, and in line with the home’s model of care. Staff use these approaches throughout their communication and interactions with children. There have been no instances where staff have needed to physically intervene. Inspection report for children’s home: SC488943 4 Staff help children to spend time together and encourage them to live in harmony. However, very recently, there has been a deterioration in children’s relationships, resulting in some unsettlement. Managers have taken swift action to alleviate the tension and potential risks to children. Two children have been offered individual time away from the home with staff, to be supported with their emotions.

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

Children who currently live at the home do not go missing. This is considered in their plans, and staff know what actions to take in the event this happens. Staff help children to learn about keeping themselves safe. Staff are confident to discuss sensitive topics with children, for example child sexual exploitation.

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

Managers have taken allegations seriously, and the necessary actions have been taken. However, there has been a delay in staff reporting instances of one staff member using derogatory language towards a child. Staff have failed to be proactive in raising their concerns. Managers have identified this shortfall and have begun to take action to address this. There is a plan for further upskilling staff in this area. The child has not been harmed and has otherwise been provided with nurturing care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has benefited from a consistent and competent manager. Despite a well- planned transition and handover period for the incoming manager, they have recently resigned. An interim manager has been appointed, and recruitment for the permanent manager post is actively ongoing. Senior leaders are committed to appointing a manager with the right skill set for the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a consistent workforce, and no external staff have been required. As a result, children are cared for by staff who know them well. The organisation carries out safer recruitment checks when employing staff. However, the policy for when to conduct overseas checks is unclear. This could result in employing people who are not suitable to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a strong learning culture at the home. Staff receive regular supervision sessions, and this is enhanced by having time with the home’s clinical team. Staff are provided with training that covers a breadth of topics. Team meetings are focused on staff development, with a themed workshop being integral to this. Recent workshops have been about the home’s therapeutic model and resilience. Staff are very reflective in their discussions with each other. The manager encourages staff to bring ideas and work together to find solutions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff exhibit great pride in working at this home. They are anxious about the upcoming change of manager, as they have felt very supported in their roles under the leadership of the current registered manager. There is a culture of positivity, and managers and staff have high aspirations for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC488943 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that staff report any concerns about the practice of other staff at the home without delay. 28 February

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they maintain good employment practice. They must ensure that the recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. This includes the organisation having a clear policy about overseas criminal records checks for staff, and managers understanding and adhering to this. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: SC488943 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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Inspector

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC488943 7 and 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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