Children's Home run by Unity Youth Services Ltd in Thurrock

Inspection report for children’s home: 2805278 1 Registered provider: Unity Youth 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 privately owned and provides care for up to two children. Two children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in December 2024. The manager registered at the same time.

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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

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: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2805278 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children both spoke with the inspector. One child said that they liked living at the home and that the staff help them to feel safe. The children have established and trusted relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children try a wide range of new activities and experiences. These include trips to the golf course, water parks and the coast. Children often take part in group activities. This helps them to build positive relationships with one another.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s special occasions are celebrated, including birthdays and individual achievements. One child attended an award ceremony to receive an award from their local authority. Staff capture children’s milestones with photographs to save memories of these special moments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are valued and integrated into various aspects of the home, including care planning, activities and daily life. Regular children’s meetings and ad-hoc conversations take place with children. When the children share their views, these are responded to and the children receive an outcome. One child said, ‘Staff make it happen; I had not seen my family members for ages. Within a week of me asking it was organised.’ This approach encourages children to share their views and feel heard. Children spend meaningful time with their families and people who are important to them. Managers and staff have advocated on behalf of children for increased family time. This has helped children to feel connected to people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming and decorated to a high standard. Children have contributed to personalising the decor and their bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s engagement and attendance in education are variable. One child has made progress with their learning and attends regularly. Another child has been out of formal education for several years. The child has access to one hour of tuition a week and the manager has advocated for an increase. However, there are no further education arrangements in place. As a result, the child lacks structure to their day. This does not help to prepare the child to return to education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s records are detailed and accurate. However, some of the language used is institutional. There has not been enough consideration that these form children’s life stories. Records do not demonstrate the warmth of the relationships that staff have with children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2805278 3

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

Staff explore a range of topics with children during well-thought-out key-work sessions. Staff discuss important topics with the children, including the risks they face. Children engage well in these conversations. As a result, they have a better understanding of risks and how to safely manage these.

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

Staff support children to develop their independence skills. Staff encourage the children to make simple meals and keep their bedrooms clean and tidy. Children take age- appropriate risks to develop their risk awareness. This has helped the children to understand how to keep themselves safe in community and prepare them for adult life.

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

Risk assessments clearly identify children’s vulnerabilities. Tailored strategies support each child. Children have an input into these plans. Staff use the children’s suggested strategies. Plans are reviewed regularly and implemented consistently to help keep children safe.

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

Positive behaviour is encouraged. Staff have a good understanding of the children and respond to their behaviour in a consistent and supportive way. Children have settled lives and behavioural incidents are rare. Staff use fair and proportionate consequences to support children to reflect on their actions. This approach helps children to understand appropriate behaviour.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff act quickly and follow the children’s missing-from-care protocols. They search for the child and communicate with the local police until the child is found. When children return, staff offer a warm welcome and ensure that they have an opportunity to speak with an independent person. This allows children to discuss the reasons they went missing and share any concerns.

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

Room searches take place when there are significant identified risks for children. On one occasion after a room search, several items were found in the child’s bedroom. These included a lighter, tobacco and electronic cigarettes. However, these items were not removed. This does not ensure that risks are minimised.

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

On one occasion, staff raised a concern regarding an agency member of staff. Children also raised similar concerns. The member of staff no longer works at the home. However, the concerns were not shared with the local authority designated officer (LADO) or followed up by the manager. This does not ensure that all appropriate safeguards are in place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is working towards a level 5 qualification and is expected to finish this within the required timeframe. An experienced responsible individual supports the manager. They are caring, child focused and have a good understanding of the children’s needs and vulnerabilities. Inspection report for children’s home: 2805278 4 Staff enjoy working at the home. They are positive about the culture and the support that they receive from the manager. One staff member said, ‘He is present, supportive and the heart of our home.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly and are well attended by staff. They are used as a forum to discuss children’s needs and the risks they face. There is a focus on team building and the well-being of staff. These aspects support consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision sessions that are detailed. Discussions include the children’s progress, staff well-being, staff practice and professional development. These have provided learning opportunities for staff to develop their practice and individualise the care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that new staff receive a thorough induction to help them fulfil their roles. Staff reflect on the learning in their inductions and discuss this with the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All staff have the company’s mandatory training. Staff either have a relevant level 3 qualification or are working towards the qualification within the agreed timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of the quality of care provided and is focused on internal staff development. Staff members have personal development plans with individualised goals. This encourages staff to invest in their roles and supports further development and progression.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals provided positive feedback about the manager and staff. They have no concerns about the quality of care provided to children or communication. Inspection report for children’s home: 2805278 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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Requirement Due date

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

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that leaders and managers make referrals to the LADO and that the advice obtained is acted on.

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Requirement Due date

Following a room search, remove any items that pose a risk to children. 30 July 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when children placed in the home are not participating in education the child is supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable activities. In particular, create a structured educational offer for the child each day. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that information about the child is always recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report for children’s home: 2805278 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: 2805278 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Unity Youth Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Kay-Anna Patterson

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Inspector

Syvanna Matthew, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2805278 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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