Children's Home run by Unity Residential Care Services Limited in Cheshire East

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2561970 1 Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services 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 children’s home offers care for up to 3 children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 2 children living at the home at the time of this assurance inspection, and both spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been appointed since the last inspection. She has submitted her application to register with Ofsted.

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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 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. 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: 2561970 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. There has been reflection and learning by leaders since the last inspection, which has resulted in improvements. Four of the requirements previously made have been met. Some shortfalls remain, and a requirement under regulation 12 has been restated and a recommendation made as a result of this inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a challenging period in the home that led to poor experiences for children. However, there have been efforts to ensure the home is a stable environment for children. Children describe a much-improved environment in the home. They say staff are like family, and they feel the manager is approachable and listens to them.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are settled in the home and are making steady progress. There has been a focus on children’s engagement in education. Staff work closely and proactively with schools, colleges and alternative education providers to ensure children receive the support they need. They advocate effectively on children’s behalf to remove barriers to learning.

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Findings from the inspection

When safeguarding concerns arise, they are well managed. Staff respond promptly to ensure that children are safeguarded and their welfare prioritised.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children to have safe and healthy relationships. There is a positive culture within the home, where children feel safe and confident to share personal information with staff. Staff work with children to understand the importance of personal boundaries, privacy and recognising potential risks, both now and in the future. This work is delivered sensitively while supporting children’s emotional development and autonomy.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is highly motivated to ensure continuous improvement within the home. They demonstrate a commitment to driving practice forward, strengthening safeguarding practices and delivering positive outcomes for children. While there have been significant changes in the home in a short period of time, the manager has established a consistent and reliable staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff report that the home provides a positive and supportive working environment. They describe good teamwork, clear communication and approachable leadership. This results in children being cared for by staff who work well together and are committed to promoting their welfare and progress.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has completed a comprehensive overview of the workforce and development plan for the home. It covers key areas such as staffing structure, staff qualifications, induction and probation processes, training, performance management, supervision and home development initiatives. This reflects the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2561970 3 manager’s commitment to developing a skilled, consistent and well-supported workforce.

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Findings from the inspection

Team meetings are purposeful and contribute positively to the running of the home. Supervision is regular and considers key areas such as discussions about the children, safeguarding, policy, training needs and individual targets. Staff are given the opportunity to reflect on their practice and receive guidance. This helps ensure that staff remain effective and that their practice is aligned with the home’s expectations.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is in the process of embedding systems monitoring and review the quality of care and progress of children. These systems are aimed at identifying strengths and areas of development so that shortfalls can be addressed promptly. However, monitoring by the manager has not been effective in ensuring that plans and assessments to guide staff are updated and that all staff have completed their mandatory training within timescales. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2561970 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/06/2025 Full Good 05/11/2024 Full Good 04/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/03/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2561970 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that guidance provided to staff to care for children, mitigate risks and safeguard children is thorough, accurate and regularly reviewed.

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Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered person should ensure that staff complete the organisation’s mandatory and house-specific training within timescales. 13 March 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care by implementing robust quality assurance and monitoring systems and maintain effective oversight of the home to improve the quality of care provided. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10:24) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2561970 6

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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

Tonia Dubidat, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2561970 7 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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Inspector

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