Children's Home run by Emerge Care and Therapeutic Solutions Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 1 Registered provider: Emerge Care and Therapeutic Solutions 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

The home is owned by a private provider and provides care for up to six children who may be experiencing emotional or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the last inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected and their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 3

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inadequate

During the inspection, two children spoke to the inspectors. The children living in this home have been left at risk of harm as the staff do not always take appropriate action to keep them safe.

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inadequate

Since the last inspection, three children have moved out and four children have moved in. Moves into the home have not always been well planned, and the effect on children already living in the home has not been fully considered. Staff find it difficult to manage group dynamics. This has led to a confrontational culture forming in the home, and relationships between children and staff have not been well managed.

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inadequate

The children all use electronic cigarettes, and there has been a lack of education on the dangers of this. Rules and boundaries are not enforced in regard to their use in the home. In addition, children are not provided with enough education on healthy relationships and consent. However, children do receive support from staff with their self-care routines and have access to sexual health and contraceptive advice.

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inadequate

Staff are not consistently working within a therapeutic framework. The language used in children’s records and in some staff discussions reflects institutional attitudes rather than child-centred practice. Certain restrictions, such as a locked communal room and the use of door alarms on both internal and external doors, have not been sufficiently evaluated to determine their necessity or effectiveness. These measures do not contribute to creating a homely and nurturing living environment for the children.

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inadequate

Some areas of the home require a deep clean, including carpets and windows in children’s bedrooms. However, children have been able to personalise their bedrooms.

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inadequate

Despite the shortfalls identified, staff promote and encourage children with their education. One child has been supported back into full-time education, and other children have had access to alternative provisions. This has increased children’s confidence and self-worth.

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

Leaders, managers and staff have not consistently taken steps to keep children safe. A recent serious incident highlighted shortcomings in staff’s ability to help children regulate their behaviour, and inadequate guidance from the on-call manager contributed to the escalation. Due to insufficient supervision, children were able to Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 4 access medication and car keys, resulting in them starting a vehicle and igniting a fire.

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

Staff did not respond to the fire alarm, which put the children and themselves at significant risk of harm. There have been several incidents that have not been managed effectively by staff or managers. This has left all involved at risk.

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

Staff have not been able to defuse incidents and have called the police on several occasions. This has led to some children being arrested and criminalised. Children’s risk management plans are not always clear about the level of risk.

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

Physical intervention practice is poor, and not all holds have been recorded in line with the procedure. This has meant that there has been no management scrutiny of the measures used or their effectiveness. This prevents learning being taken from the incident.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The registered manager has resigned and has been actively supporting the transition to new leadership. A new manager has been appointed and is in the process of registering with Ofsted. Although both managers have worked collaboratively to provide consistency for children, this dual leadership has, at times, resulted in unclear direction for staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There have been instances where management oversight and guidance have been ineffective, with leaders failing to identify gaps in staff practice. Some omissions in children’s records have gone unnoticed by managers. While serious incidents have been reported to the regulator, notifications have frequently lacked crucial information, limiting the regulator’s ability to accurately assess the risks involved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders have not ensured that staff are fully equipped to respond to the evolving needs of children, such as substance misuse. There is a large staff team with a variable level of experience. Some members of staff are experienced and qualified in childcare and undertake further training. However the shift toward a more therapeutic model of care is still in the early stages of development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Although use of agency staff has been minimal and staffing has occasionally been supported by colleagues from other homes, there have been occasions when the rota has not accurately reflected who was on duty. Despite these challenges, staff report feeling supported by the management team and are optimistic about the proposed changes. Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 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—

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assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health; and 13 June 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 6 that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff respond to fire alarms in accordance with the procedures and protocols set out in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff attempt to defuse and manage incidents in accordance with their training and children’s plans before seeking assistance from the police. Furthermore, direction given by managers should be effective and provide support to staff to defuse incidents.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that there are procedures in place for safe storage of any medication that staff may need to bring into the home.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered person must ensure that staff provide effective supervision of children at all times in accordance with their plans.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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

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lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home; and 20 June 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 7 demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(f)(g)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must make sure that they have good oversight of children’s records and that incidents are fully evaluated to assess and improve staff practice.

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In particular, the registered person must make sure that children’s risk management plans are all of consistent quality.

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Additionally, the registered person must ensure that staff have the skills to meet the children’s needs. Specifically, staff must receive training in fire safety, medication management, behaviour management and substance misuse.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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a description of the measure and its duration;

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details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure; 20 June 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 8 within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii))

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The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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positive responses to other children and adults.

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

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meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful; 6 July 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 9 help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children;

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that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix) (xi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff provide education to children on healthy and appropriate social and sexual relationships.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that positive routines and boundaries are in place for children. This includes education on vaping and rules being in place to prevent their use.

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In particular, the registered person must ensure that positive relationships are encouraged between children and staff. When this is not the case, efforts must be made to promote and repair the relationship. Additionally, the registered person must ensure that effective procedures are in place to manage group-living dynamics between children.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered person must ensure that staff strive to create a therapeutic and homely environment.

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The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. 6 July 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 10 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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In particular, the registered person must ensure that the home is maintained to an acceptable standard of cleanliness throughout, including the children’s bedrooms. Repairs to the home must be carried out in a timely manner.

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A notification made under this regulation—

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the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter. (Regulation 40 (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that notifications contain sufficient details to allow the regulator to make a full assessment of incidents and how the level of risk has been addressed. 6 July 2025

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the privacy of children is appropriately protected;

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children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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is necessary and proportionate; 6 July 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 11 is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

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ensure that the records are kept up to date; and

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retain the records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. (Regulation 37 (2)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the staff duty roster of persons working at the home is accurate. Specifically, that it contains a record of actual hours worked and which members of staff have been on shift. 6 July 2025

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children’s needs and the ability of staff to meet these are rigorously assessed before children move into the home. 6 August 2025

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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: 2751128 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Emerge Care and Therapeutic Solutions Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Office, 5 Rockside, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 4PG

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Inspectors

Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 13 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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