Children's home run by Physis Quantum Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2824050 1 Registered provider: Physis Quantum Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider and provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered in April 2025. This was the home’s first inspection since registration.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection. Both children were happy to take part in the visit and share their views.

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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: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2824050 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since registration, the home has welcomed two children who are siblings. This move was unplanned, but despite this, both children have settled very well and are making positive progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy positive daily experiences, and staff demonstrate a strong understanding of their individual needs and respond to them with care and consistency. Staff prioritise building and maintaining nurturing relationships, which provide children with emotional security and a stable base. These relationships are central to staff’s practice. Children report feeling happy, settled and well supported by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make strong educational progress from their individual starting points, supported by a nurturing home environment. Improved school attendance reflects their growing engagement with learning since moving into the home. One child is currently working towards a range of qualifications, and both children have expressed aspirations to pursue careers in care. Effective collaboration between staff and educational settings ensures that children’s views are heard and that any barriers to learning are identified and addressed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively promote and facilitate positive family experiences, recognising the importance of these relationships for children. Children’s preferences are respected, and constructive connections with families are maintained. This supports children’s emotional well-being and future planning for possible reunification.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to engage in meaningful activities that promote creativity, enjoyment and personal growth. Individual interests, such as art and music, are actively encouraged. Children’s achievements are celebrated, which is evident in their artwork being proudly displayed around the home and in their bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well supported through routine appointments and timely access to specialist advice when required. Staff seek professional guidance appropriately, including about the use of vapes, to help children better understand health implications and promote their long-term well-being.

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

A holistic, child-focused programme of support is in place, tailored to children’s individual needs and risks. It supports children in developing awareness, coping strategies and self-risk management to aid their emotional resilience and future progress. Staff are further supported by therapists who offer guidance to enhance understanding of children’s needs and inform practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2824050 3 Incidents in the home are rare, due to the consistent implementation of clear routines, expectations and boundaries. This structured approach helps reduce anxiety and emotional distress, contributing to children feeling safe and settled. De-escalation strategies are effective, and physical intervention has not been required.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. This marks a significant achievement given the high risks associated with missing-from-home episodes and exploitation at the time the children moved into the home. This progress reflects the impact of a supportive environment and strong, trusting relationships between staff and children, which have helped children become safer.

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

There has been one incident involving self-injurious behaviour by a child. Staff responded swiftly and appropriately, removing dangerous items and administering first aid to ensure the child’s physical well-being. They also provided sensitive emotional support, helping the child to explore potential triggers and develop effective coping strategies. As a result, the child felt listened to, reassured and better equipped to manage their emotions.

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

Consequences are used infrequently. However, when implemented, they do not always follow a restorative approach. On two occasions, measures lacked flexibility and did not allow for reduction through positive behaviour. Children’s views were not captured, and opportunities for reflection and learning were missed. However, the manager has started to make appropriate improvements in this area.

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

Surveillance and monitoring arrangements are proportionate and based on assessed risks. The use of bedroom door alarms is reviewed monthly as part of children’s risk assessments. Staff respond sensitively to concerns, adapting their practice to respect children’s wishes during night-time checks. However, given the progress children have made and the views they have expressed, a more detailed multi-agency review of the continued need for alarms could have been undertaken. This represents a missed opportunity to reflect on children’s development and further strengthen trauma-informed practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is well-organised and consistently child focused. He demonstrates a strong understanding of the home’s ethos and the needs of the children. Through effective leadership, he maintains high standards of care and ensures a nurturing, supportive environment where children feel safe and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children benefit from a stable staff team, with minimal turnover since registration. Staff consistently report feeling valued and well supported and speak positively about the guidance they receive. The manager is described as approachable and receptive to feedback, which helps foster a collaborative, child-centred culture across the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2824050 4 Effective monitoring systems are in place to ensure compliance with regulations and promote good standards of care. Clear processes are used to track and evaluate children’s progress against the model of care, enabling staff to respond appropriately to their changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Strong working relationships are evident between the staff and professionals. External professionals provided positive feedback, highlighting the quality of care and the collaborative approach taken by the staff team. One professional specifically praised the educational progress children have made and the stability provided, which has supported the development of their individual identities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a thorough induction and a range of in-person training to support their understanding of trauma-informed practice. While this equips them well for their roles, specific training to meet one child’s individual needs has not been provided. This represents a missed opportunity to further enhance personalised care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2824050 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure they review any use of observation, monitoring or surveillance of children effectively. These measures must not remove reasonable privacy and should allow as much privacy as is possible. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 19, paragraph 3.36)  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to ensure they have the required skills and understanding to meet children’s individual needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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: 2824050 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Physis Quantum Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: D P C Chartered Accountants, Stone House, 55 Stone Road Business Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 6SR

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Inspector

Carl Wilton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2824050 7 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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