Children's home run by The Place Young People’s Company

Inspection report for children’s home: 2810049 1 Registered provider: The Place Young People’s Company

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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 owned by a private company. The home was registered with Ofsted in September 2025 to care for up to 3 children who may experience emotional or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2025 and is suitably experienced.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living in the home. The inspector spoke to both children.

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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: 2810049 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This is the first full inspection since the home was registered.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves into the home are carefully planned and well managed. Before moving in, children are supported to visit the home and are actively involved in making decisions about their bedrooms and shared living spaces. This thoughtful approach helps them to settle quickly and feel safe and secure. One child told the inspector that they are really happy living in the home, that staff have helped them to grow into a better person, and that they love the staff very much.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make exceptional progress in their education, with attendance improving significantly from their individual starting points. For example, one child who had previously experienced considerable disruption to their education now attends school regularly. This child has exceeded expectations by completing several qualifications earlier than anticipated and is making strong progress towards their future aspirations. Staff work effectively in partnership with education professionals, ensuring that children are supported to achieve their academic potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in a wide range of activities that they enjoy. Staff take time to understand each child’s interests and proactively seek opportunities to support and extend these. For example, one child was supported to access a volunteering placement within the local community, which enabled them to gain meaningful work experience. As a result, children develop practical skills that promote independence and help them to build positive support networks beyond the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain positive relationships with people who are important to them. When concerns arise regarding family time, staff and leaders act appropriately and review arrangements in a timely manner to ensure that children’s safety and wellbeing are prioritised. This approach ensures that children’s wishes and feelings are heard, understood and acted upon.

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

Children have trusted adults they can speak with. Their individual risks are clearly identified, well understood and managed effectively by staff and leaders. Detailed risk management plans provide staff with the information they need to keep children safe, and staff consistently implement this guidance in practice.

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

Staff engage children in meaningful and age ‑ appropriate discussions to help them understand risk and how to keep themselves safe. They are skilled at recognising ‘reachable moments’ during everyday interactions and use these effectively to reinforce key safety messages. Staff also support children through creative life ‑ story work and produce videos capturing significant moments in their lives, which highlight the progress Inspection report for children’s home: 2810049 3 they make in developing resilience to risk. This approach helps children to understand their individual journeys and recognise the positive progress they have achieved.

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

Staff help children to manage their emotions and feelings effectively. They take time to get to know each child and understand which strategies work best for them. Individualised support plans are regularly reviewed, updated and shared across the team to ensure that consistent boundaries and care are provided. On one occasion, a child did not experience support in line with their care plan, resulting in a missed opportunity to provide the least restrictive care. The manager acted promptly to review the incident, address staff practice and ensure that the child received the appropriate support.

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

Children understand how to raise concerns and make complaints. Staff and leaders respond to these appropriately, ensuring that issues are taken seriously and managed effectively. For example, one child was supported to raise a complaint with their local authority regarding their care plan. As a result of this effective advocacy, the concerns were addressed, demonstrating that children’s voices are valued and acted upon.

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

Serious incidents have not consistently been shared with the regulator within the required timescales. Since identifying this, the manager has reviewed and strengthened internal systems to ensure that reporting is consistent, including during periods when she is absent from the home. This new process enables professionals to review incidents promptly and to confirm that appropriate actions have been taken to mitigate any risks to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is child focused and is supported by a staff team that shares her ambitious vision to provide the best possible care for children. Staff have high expectations and are passionate about supporting children to achieve their full potential.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager promotes individualised care for each child. Internal monitoring systems track children’s progress effectively and identify areas where additional support may be required. This information is shared and discussed in team meetings to ensure that support remains responsive and that staff are kept up to date with any changes in children’s needs. As a result, children receive care that reflects their individual circumstances and promotes their welfare. One professional told the inspector: ‘It feels like her home; these people are her extended family. There is genuine investment and interest in her welfare.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a supportive environment that promotes learning and professional development. The manager fosters a strong culture of reflection, where incidents are reviewed to identify learning opportunities. This helps staff to consider how to promote the least restrictive practice and ensures that children experience consistent and appropriate responses from the adults caring for them. Inspection report for children’s home: 2810049 4 Staff receive regular, good ‑ quality supervision that provides opportunities to reflect on their practice and identify areas for improvement. Staff report feeling confident in raising any concerns or worries, trusting that appropriate action will be taken. One member of staff commented: ‘I can discuss my point of view and feel she [the manager] is very good at taking this on board; she values us.’ This reflects a culture of open communication and support within the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team has established strong, effective working relationships with the key professionals involved in children’s lives. Professionals consistently report that communication from the manager and staff is clear and timely, enabling them to provide appropriate care and support for each child. One professional commented: ‘The staff know [child’s name] inside and out. They get to know her and have spent so much time with her. They know her likes, dislikes and quirks, and they tell us anything that could impact her day here. The communication is excellent,’ highlighting the team’s commitment to collaborative, child ‑ centred practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2810049 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. Notification must include details of the action taken by the home’s staff in response to the event. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.3)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand factors that affect children’s motivation to behave in a socially acceptable way. Staff should encourage an enthusiasm for positive behaviour through the use of positive behaviour strategies in line with the child’s relevant plans. This specifically relates to the use of physical restraint and ensuring that all staff adhere to agreed behaviour management strategies as set out in children’s individual plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes

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Recommendations

Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.13)

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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: 2810049 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Place Young People’s Company

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Lymevale Court, Lyme Drive, Parklands, Stoke-on- Trent ST4 6NW

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Inspector

Charlotte Tippett, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2810049 7 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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