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.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is currently registered to provide care for up six children, who may be experiencing emotional or social difficulties. The provider has recently applied to reduce their registered numbers to five children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is currently applying to register with Ofsted. The registered provider has appointed a new responsible individual, and Ofsted is currently checking that this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the home at the time of this inspection and were all spoken to by the inspector.

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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: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following a full inspection in June 2025, this home was judged inadequate. Poor practice was identified in the management of a serious incident, during which there Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 2 had been a fire in the home. The staff team did not have the skills, ability or confidence to diffuse and manage behavioural incidents with children. Leaders and managers did not always have effective oversight or identify when staff practice had fallen below acceptable standards. The home environment was poor in some areas, and two bedrooms had been deemed unfit for use by the fire service. A restriction of accommodation notice was issued under section 22A of the care standards Act 2000 was issued on 03 June 2025.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

At a monitoring visit on 22 July 2025 inspector, Eve Ostridge, found that the provider had not made enough progress to address the identified concerns. Further requirements were made, and the restriction of accommodation notice remained in place. Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/06/2025 Full Inadequate 10/06/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has recently undergone significant refurbishment. Children now live in a safer, more welcoming and nurturing environment. All three children spoke positively about the changes, expressing pride and satisfaction in their surroundings. One child said, ‘It [the house] looks much better now. It was horrible before. I got to choose the colours.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are beginning to trust and respect the adults caring for them. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of each child’s needs and demonstrate a consistently caring and considerate attitude towards children. This more nurturing approach is helping children to feel secure and supported and is contributing to the development of positive attachments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work collaboratively with external professionals to ensure that care planning remains child-focused and responsive. Communication is timely and purposeful, supporting good outcomes. One social worker commented, ‘[Name of child] is doing well now. She has matured a lot.’ Staff are effective advocates for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from families is positive. One parent said ‘the staff are amazing…she [the child] is like a different person now. She’s so much more mature’. Staff support children to have improved relationships with their families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and managers have implemented useful systems to monitor and evaluate children’s progress. Tools such as the ‘journey of the child’ document provide clear insight into children’s starting points and the progress they have made. Staff celebrate children’s achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are engaging in education and employment. One child is gaining valuable work experience and is motivated to pursue a lucrative career. For a child who has been out of education, staff have developed a clear support plan and have successfully helped her re-engage with learning. Staff understand and nurture children’s future aspirations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities that promote social development and build friendships. These experiences contribute to their emotional wellbeing and help them to develop important life skills.

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

The quality of safeguarding practice has improved. The frequency and severity of incidents in the home have significantly reduced. Staff have not required police assistance to manage behaviour, reflecting improved stability and a more therapeutic approach to crisis intervention. Staff now use more effective, trauma-informed strategies to support children during times of distress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 5 Investigations into allegations are now more robust. Leaders and managers apply important learning from previous incidents to improve practice. Staff have completed training on managing allegations and demonstrate a clear understanding of procedures. However, one allegation was not notified to the regulator as required, which could limit the effectiveness of external oversight.

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

Fire safety has significantly improved. Following previous concerns, including a fire in the home, the fire service is now satisfied that the environment is safe. All staff have completed essential training and know what to do in the event of a fire. Staff are generally aware of procedures for managing fire-related risks. However, not all staff know how to respond to a child in possession of fire-lighting implements.

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

Children benefit from the increased structure within the home. Staff apply clear and consistent boundaries and respond appropriately when expectations are not met. This helps children to understand what is expected of them and the consequences of their actions. One child said, ‘It [the rules] can be annoying, but I know what the staff are doing is to keep me safe.’ Children are beginning to recognise the protective intent behind the home’s routines and expectations.

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

Staff responses to behaviour are more consistent and well-informed. Staff now demonstrate a clear understanding of the home’s behaviour management approach, informed by detailed and individualised behaviour support plans for each child. Children’s emotional welfare is improving.

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

Therapeutic practice is being embedded in care planning. Staff are starting to use the therapeutic model in a way that is beginning to have a meaningful impact for children. Clinical reviews of incidents and therapeutic oversight are contributing to a more reflective and child-centred approach.

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

Staff know what to do if children go missing and follow individual plans appropriately. Children benefit from a coordinated response to missing-from-home incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leadership and management arrangements have changed since the last full inspection. Both the registered manager and responsible individual have left the organisation. A new manager and responsible individual are now in post and are in the process of registering with Ofsted. The staff team has undergone significant changes, and children are continuing to adjust to the new dynamics.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Senior leaders have implemented a comprehensive support plan to assist the new manager. An experienced peer mentor provides additional guidance and oversight. The manager receives regular supervision and is being supported well in their new role. Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 6 Management oversight of staff practice has strengthened. The manager routinely reviews key records, including safeguarding incidents. Senior leaders also provide feedback on significant events, and the therapeutic director contributes a clinical perspective. This multi-layered approach promotes reflective practice and supports continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report feeling well supported by the management team, and morale has improved significantly. Children benefit from care delivered by a consistent and positive team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are well attended and provide a valuable forum for sharing best practice. Learning from incidents is discussed and disseminated effectively, contributing to improvements in the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular training that is tailored to the specific needs of the children. This ensures that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to meet children’s individual needs safely and effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safe recruitment practices are in place. Thorough background checks, including overseas checks, are completed before adults begin working in the home. This helps to protect children from harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A case review was held to consider the progress made in respect of the concerns identified at the last full inspection. The restriction of accommodation notice, issued under section 22A of the care standards Act 2000, expired on 26 August 2025 and was not reissued. Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 7

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; a child protection enquiry involving a child — is instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. A notification made under this regulation— must include details of— the matter; the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter; must be made or confirmed in writing.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 40 (3)(a)(b)(c)(4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)(5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the regulator is informed of all notifiable incidents, including when additional concerns arise from existing incidents. 21 October

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Recommendation

 The registered person should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and make sure that staff understand the arrangements in place to protect them. In particular, the registered person should make sure that all staff know how to manage the identified fire risk should children have fire lighting implements on Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 8 their person. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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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: 2751128 9

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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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Inspector

Nicola Shaw, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2751128 10 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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