Children's home run by Unity Residential Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2508456 1 Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services 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

This home provides care for up to three children who have experienced childhood instability, resulting in trauma and associated complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home. Although they chose not to speak directly with the inspector, children were observed engaging positively with staff, and informal conversations offered helpful insight into their day-to-day experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024.

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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: 3 December 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2508456 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2024 Full Good 27/02/2024 Full Good 21/03/2023 Full Outstanding 20/09/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2508456 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a warm, welcoming and nurturing home. The environment is personalised with photographs and displays that celebrate each child’s identity and achievements. Children are encouraged to make choices about their home, and their contributions are listened to and acted on. As a result, children feel valued and develop a strong sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have individualised care plans that are firmly rooted in the home’s therapeutic approach. Children’s views are clearly recorded, and they contribute meaningfully to shaping their plans. This ensures that staff understand each child’s needs and how best to support them. This support ensures that children receive consistent and well-informed care and make good, personalised progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop warm, trusting relationships with staff, who know them well and understand their individual needs. Staff provide consistent and nurturing care that supports children’s emotional and practical needs effectively. Staff also work closely with children’s families and professionals to promote children’s safety and wellbeing. As a result, children feel secure and settled in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is prioritised in the home. Managers and staff advocate effectively to ensure that children access the most appropriate provision, taking their views into account. Their advocacy includes offering constructive challenge when decisions do not align with children’s best interests, which has helped ensure that children’s educational needs are met. Although two children experience difficulties engaging in education, staff work sensitively with them to explore suitable alternative options.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop their independence skills. Staff understand each child’s strengths and areas for development, and they tailor support to help children make steady progress. Staff work with the professional network effectively in order to plan for children’s futures, ensuring that they are suitably prepared and confident when moving towards independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home in an unplanned way. The manager and staff worked closely with the placing local authority to implement additional support and to try to stabilise things for the child. Despite the unplanned ending, the child was able to share positive feedback about their experiences and the care they received while living in the home.

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

When concerns have been raised about the relationships between the children, staff have responded quickly. Children have been supported both individually and as a group, depending on what they feel comfortable with. The manager maintains effective Inspection report for children’s home: 2508456 4 oversight of children’s relationships and ensures that appropriate assessments and safeguards are in place to promote safe and positive interactions. As a result, children feel listened to and receive the right support to strengthen their relationships and live together harmoniously.

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

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of children’s individual risks and respond with a caring, consistent and well-informed approach. Children’s plans are reviewed regularly and updated dynamically so that they continue to reflect children’s needs. This provides staff with clear, up-to-date strategies to help keep children safe.

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

When physical restraint is used with children, it is only ever as a last resort and is appropriate and proportionate. Staff use a wide range of creative de-escalation strategies to help prevent incidents. The registered manager has a good oversight of all incidents and ensures that any learning is promptly embedded into practice. Discussions with children and staff are thoughtful and of good quality, which help children to explore their emotions and develop improved coping strategies.

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

When children go missing from the home, staff follow children’s plans and work with safeguarding partners effectively in order to support their safe return. Staff maintain good communication and take appropriate action to help reduce further incidents. As a result, children are kept safe, and incidents of children going missing from the home are rare.

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

Children and staff feel confident in raising complaints. These are responded to in a timely and empathetic manner. Children’s wishes and feelings are gathered throughout the investigation process, and children report being satisfied with the outcomes. As a result, children feel listened to and are reassured that staff act in their best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is skilled and enthusiastic about providing the best possible care for children. He is supported well by senior leaders and together they share a strong ethos and a clear determination to ensure that children receive good, consistent care from well-trained and experienced staff. Staff report that they feel highly valued by the management team and well supported in meeting children’s needs and keeping them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, the manager has been proactive in challenging placing local authorities when the support provided to children has fallen below acceptable standards. He advocates strongly on behalf of children to ensure that their needs are met in all areas of their lives and that the support they receive aligns with their wishes and individual needs. This ensures that children remain at the centre of all decision-making and that the care they receive is appropriate and effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has strong and positive relationships with professionals and with the important people in children’s lives. This collaborative approach supports children to Inspection report for children’s home: 2508456 5 make good progress. Feedback from professionals is highly complimentary about the manager and staff. One professional shared:

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff provide fantastic support to [Name of Child] and professionals to ensure that they get what they need. Staff have bent over backwards to support me and [Name of Child], which is not what I have experienced with other children’s homes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has effective oversight and monitoring of children’s care, staff practice and the running of the home. This ensures that children receive safe and consistent care. Although there have been some staff changes, this has been well managed. The registered manager has safely recruited new staff, who have completed a thorough induction and probationary period to prepare them well for their roles. When staff practice falls short, the manager responds promptly and ensures that the right support and guidance is in place to help staff develop their skills. This approach has been effective in improving practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, reflective supervision that promotes their development and supports them in providing good-quality care. Regular team meetings offer staff the opportunity to reflect collectively on practice, and these are beginning to incorporate research-informed approaches to further strengthen staff skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development and is focused on driving continuous improvement. Children’s views and ideas are meaningfully threaded through these plans, and their contributions have had a positive impact on their experiences and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2508456 6

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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: 2508456 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services Limited

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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

Hayley Booth, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2508456 8 regulates 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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