Children's home run by Emplace Care Limited

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2816808 1 Registered provider: Emplace Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned home has been registered since June 2025 and provides cares for up to 3 children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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Information about this children's home

One child was living at the home at the time of this inspection. The inspector spent time with and observed the child during the inspection. Another child was moving into the home on the day of the visit.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025. They are suitably experienced and hold a relevant leadership and management qualification.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, 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. Inspectors have 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: 2816808 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

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home and has settled well. Leaders have reflected well and taken on board a significant amount of learning from the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. For example, extensive planning had taken place prior to the child moving in, which has resulted in staff providing good care that meets the child’s needs. Also, staff have built positive relationships with the child. Another child was moving into the home on the day of the visit and thorough planning had been undertaken prior to the move.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have developed a more robust approach to challenging other professionals. The manager has gained confidence to decline referrals when the home would not be a good match for children’s needs. They have also been a good advocate for one child by challenging the placing authority and making a formal complaint when the child’s education, health and care plan (EHCP) was not transferred, which was impacting on them being able to secure an education provision. Good progress has been made since the complaint, and the manager is currently supporting the child to look for a suitable college place.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has made good progress since moving into the home. Staff support with activities that build independence and the child is now able to make their bed, tidy their bedroom and help with cooking. They are proud of their skills because of the support and praise that staff provide.

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Findings from the inspection

One child was proud of their home environment. They proudly explained their emotions board where the child and staff use stickers to help others understand how they are feeling. They also explained the importance of taking shoes off in the home to look after it and keep it looking nice. This shows that the child has developed a sense of belonging and pride in their home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s plans have since been improved since the last inspection. Leaders ensure that they now provide clear strategies for staff to follow, which helps to reduce children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the plans which help them to provide good and safe care to children.

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Findings from the inspection

Safer recruitment checks are completed prior to staff working in the home. Managers have taken action to obtain information that was missing during the previous inspection and all recruitment checks reviewed were complete. This helps to ensure that only safe individuals are employed to care for vulnerable children.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents in the home are rare with only one since the previous inspection. The incident was managed well, and learning from the incident has been incorporated into the child’s plans through new strategies to help manage future risks. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2816808 3 Leaders and managers have demonstrated reflection and learning since the previous inspection. They have reviewed their monitoring processes to improve oversight of the home. Senior managers are now using improved monitoring tools, including the recent introduction of an in-depth review of one area of practice each month. The plan is for the learning from these reviews to be shared with staff during team meetings and learning sessions which will increase staff skills and improve practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are well trained to meet children’s individual needs. Planning for new children includes specialist training required to meet children’s complex health needs and staff presented as confident with the new skills they had learned. The responsible individual also guides staff with clinical support which has resulted in them having a comprehensive understanding of children’s emotional needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers remain passionate and committed to providing a high standard of care for children. They have positive relationships with staff and children, which helps to create a happy home environment where children enjoy living.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements raised at the last inspection have all been met. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2816808 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2816808 5

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Emplace Care Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: The Wedgwood Big House, 1 Moorland Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 1DJ

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Inspector

Vicky Smith, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2816808 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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Inspector

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