Children's Home run by Vesta Children's Services Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children’s home: 2792586 1 Registered provider: Vesta Children’s Services Ltd

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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 children’s home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for two children who have had adverse childhood experiences. The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of the 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

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2792586 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from living in a home where staff practice is child centred and personalised to their individual needs. Children form positive relationships with staff. These are based on mutual respect and trust, with staff making sure children have opportunities to make positive memories for now and in the future. Children feel confident and happy living at the home and this in turn has enabled them to make good progress in all areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they like living at the home. They benefit from the nurturing and consistent staff team who provide them with the care and security they need. One child said: ‘This is the best place I have lived in because the staff here care about me and are really getting to know me and what makes me happy and what make me sad.’ This has helped relationships develop, and as a result, children feel settled and secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical and emotional healthcare needs are supported well. The staff make sure children are registered with community healthcare professionals and are supported to attend appointments as and when required. In addition, the organisation employs a therapist who works with the children as well as providing advice and training for staff. This further supports children’s emotional health and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of education for all children. They work closely with schools and virtual school headteachers to promote school attendance. Staff also encourage education at home and through access to community resources, offering children a range of educational experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have opportunities to take part in activities both in the home and the community. This helps children to develop their own interests. Additionally, they have been involved in contributing to community initiatives. For example, they have purchased food and donated to the local food bank as well as a local dog rescue scheme. This has supported children to have a greater understanding of wider community issues.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spend time with people and family who are important to them when it is safe and appropriate to do so. As a result, children are helped to maintain relationships with significant people in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a warm and welcoming environment. Children have had a say in how it is decorated and furnished, including the personalisation of their own bedrooms. Externally, the garden space requires some maintenance and is currently being redesigned to enable children to have some external space that is safe and child friendly. Children have contributed their ideas to the redesign of this area, with work planned to commence in the near future. Inspection report for children’s home: 2792586 3

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

The staff understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. They have regular conversations with children regarding all aspects of safety and well-being. They provide open and clear information to children about action they will take to address any safeguarding issues. This contributes to children feeling that they are cared for and protected.

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

There have been some incidences of children being missing from home. When this happens, staff follow agreed risk assessments and make every effort to locate and encourage the children to return home. As a result of the support provided, as well as the children feeling secure and happy at the home, there has been a significant decrease in episodes of children being missing from home.

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

Comprehensive risk management plans, which staff understand and follow, are in place for each child. These plans are kept under review and reflect the children’s changing needs and risks. This demonstrates that since living at the home, risks to children have reduced.

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

Staff manage and support children’s behaviour effectively. They use agreed strategies that help children understand how to self-regulate and reflect on the impact of their behaviour on themselves or others. Children say the house rules are fair and they have opportunity to reflect and discuss any consequences made. This makes sure their views are listened to and recorded. One child said: ‘This is the first home I have lived at where I think the staff listen to me and help me when I am feeling upset or angry.’

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

Children have access to the internet and have use of computers. The safe use of these is promoted through the home’s internet safety measures, which have parental controls in place. Staff also talk to children about keeping safe online. This means children can access the internet in a safe and informed way.

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

Recruitment and selection processes are in line with safer recruitment guidance to contribute to safeguarding children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is appropriately qualified and experienced. She is supported in her role by two deputy managers and an established staff team. The manager is passionate about ensuring children are provided with every opportunity to succeed. She demonstrates ambitious and aspirational leadership along with a strong undertaking to give children the high-quality care experiences that they deserve. The manager has a visual presence and is ‘hands-on’ in her management style.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff say the support from the manager is unfaltering. This promotes their care practice, which is child centred and focused on the individual needs of the children. This Inspection report for children’s home: 2792586 4 contributes to the very good progress that children have made in the short time they have lived in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works in partnership with other professionals to provide highly supportive care for children. One professional said: ‘The manager and staff are exceptionally good at attending meetings and are focused on making sure all children are given every opportunity to achieve and thrive.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from excellent levels of training that is responsive to and meets the children’s needs. Team meetings are held monthly. These enable the staff to share and reflect on their practice, as well as providing additional opportunities for further training and discussion with the in-house therapist. This enables bespoke care to be provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Individual monthly supervision sessions for staff support them in their role. They can discuss and reflect on their practice in a safe and supportive environment. In addition to regular supervision, staff have therapeutic monthly supervision to further enhance their practice and reflect on therapeutic models of care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has implemented comprehensive monitoring systems which allow her to have clear oversight of the home. Additional visits from the independent visitor and the responsible individual further enhance this and the manager makes good use of this additional oversight. Any shortfalls identified are addressed in a timely manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2792586 5

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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: 2792586 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Vesta Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 4, Emma Court, Dewsbury Road, Fenton Industrial Estate, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2TH

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Inspector

Sarah Oldham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2792586 7 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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Inspector

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