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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC412385 1 SC412385 Registered Provider: Unity Residential Care Services Limited

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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. No children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The new manager has applied to register with Ofsted and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was carried out on 18 September 2024 after concerns relating to staff practice in the home were notified to Ofsted and the local authority designated officer. As a result of the visit, the home’s registration was suspended.

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This monitoring visit

This latest monitoring visit was carried out to review improvements made by the provider to address the concerns outlined in the suspension notice.

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This monitoring visit

Staff members previously suspended either remain suspended pending outcomes from internal and external processes or have left the provider’s employment. Appropriate action has been taken to thoroughly investigate all the allegations children had previously made, one of which relates to an ongoing police investigation.

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This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have appointed a new manager with the appropriate experience and skills to support the home’s development. In addition, senior leaders have appointed a responsible individual to oversee the home.

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This monitoring visit

The new manager has safely recruited a new staff team that includes experienced staff from across the company and new staff from outside the company. The new manager has ensured that all staff receive the provider’s full induction training, Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC412385 2 including a focus on professional boundaries and barriers to whistle-blowing, to address previous shortfalls in practice.

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This monitoring visit

In response to the safeguarding concerns identified, senior leaders have also introduced a new role of children’s practice assurance lead to support consultation with children. The aim of this role is to create a transparent culture where children can voice concerns and staff can share positive practice in order that these are learned from. This role will be further supported by an external professional commissioned to complete an annual safeguarding audit as another layer of support for the home’s manager.

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This monitoring visit

This visit identified that the previous risk no longer exists, and the suspension notice was lifted on 10 December 2024.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/11/2023 Full Good 24/01/2023 Full Good 21/09/2021 Full Outstanding 03/03/2020 Full Outstanding

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC412385 3

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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

Mark Dickinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC412385 4 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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