Children's Home run by Prestige Adolescent Care and Education Limited in Staffordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2758223 1 Registered provider: Prestige Adolescent Care and Education Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation and provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were 3 children living at the home. Two children spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a registered manager in post who holds a level 5 diploma in leadership and management for residential childcare.

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Inspection date: 11 December 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 11 December 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2758223 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of this inspection, the same three children were living in the home as at the last inspection. Children benefit from a nurturing approach to care, delivered by staff who provide consistent support. This enables children to develop positive and trusting relationships with those caring for them.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making progress from their individual starting points. For example, one child has successfully secured a new education placement, enabling them to begin GCSE studies. Another child was preparing to leave the home the day after the inspection to move into a foster placement, where they will be reunited with their sibling. Transitions are well managed and carefully planned to support children’s needs, in line with their care plan. When children move on, their achievements are celebrated with a house party, ensuring they experience a positive ending to their time in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s health needs are well understood by staff and leaders. Managers demonstrate strong advocacy for children and work proactively with specialist services to address individual health requirements and trauma-related experiences. Children benefit from regular sessions with an independent therapist in the home, providing them with a safe and confidential space to express their feelings and explore their experiences.

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Findings from the inspection

Children say that they are happy living in the home and feel listened to by staff. One child said, ‘Things have improved for me now. I feel I’m able to be more independent and staff listen to me and make changes for me.’ Children’s requests are responded to promptly, and staff provide feedback to keep them informed of progress. This approach helps children to feel valued and promotes their sense of inclusion in decision-making.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has experienced a settled period since the last inspection and there have not been any incidents of children missing from home, physical intervention or allegations. This is due to the positive relationships children have with the established staff team and their approach to making children feel safe and secure.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of children’s needs and associated risks, and appropriate strategies are in place to promote their safety. However, risk assessments are not consistently detailed and do not always provide clear guidance for staff. This increases the likelihood of inconsistent safeguarding practice, particularly when children spend time unsupervised away from the home. Staff expressed differing views on this approach. Furthermore, leaders and managers have not consistently reviewed risk assessments promptly when new information has emerged. As a result, there are potential gaps in safeguarding arrangements, and these do not always accurately reflect the current known risks for children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2758223 3 Leaders and managers have strengthened staff’s understanding of safeguarding processes through regular supervision and team meetings. There is now a proactive

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Findings from the inspection

approach to developing staff knowledge of policies and procedures that help to keep children safe. Staffing arrangements are consistently aligned with children’s care needs, ensuring that planned activities take place without disruption. Since the last inspection, the manager has maintained a clear focus on identified areas for development. As a result, all previous requirements have been met, demonstrating sustained improvement in practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Professionals spoke highly of the quality of care. One professional commented that they ‘could not fault the practice’ and described the care provided to one child as ‘simply amazing’. The manager is a strong advocate for children, and this is recognised by professionals. For one child who was new to living in care, the manager took the lead in making arrangements to ensure that they could spend time with their family over the festive period.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/09/2024 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2758223 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and review the arrangements in place to protect them. They should ensure that clear guidance is available for staff to follow, which supports the protection of children and helps mitigate risks. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2758223 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Prestige Adolescent Care and Education Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 90 King Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 1JB

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Inspector

Joanne Humphreys, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2758223 6 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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Inspector

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