Children's Home run by Spring Valley Children’s Care Home in Stoke-on-Trent

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 1 Registered provider: Spring Valley Children’s Care Home Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by a private company. The home provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home. The child spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post has been vacant since February 2026. A new manager is in post but has not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 4 March 2026

Date of last inspection: 9 December 2025

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Inspection date: 4 March 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 4 March 2026

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: 2837095 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

Leaders have reflected on the findings from the last inspection and have taken action to address the areas identified for improvement. This has led to some positive changes in practice. However, shortfalls relating to regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard, remain. As a result, these requirements have been restated at this inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been instability in the leadership and management of the home. The registered manager post is currently vacant; however, the provider has acted promptly to appoint a new manager. They have taken up the role quickly, helping to reduce disruption to the child and maintain continuity in daily routines. Staff have welcomed the change in leadership and are positive about the direction of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s plans reflect their individual needs. They have contributed to developing their plan, which helps ensure that care is personalised and that they feel involved in decisions about their life.

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Findings from the inspection

There continue to be shortfalls in management oversight and in the guidance provided to staff to help them reduce risks to the child. Staff have received incorrect direction that does not reflect the child’s plans, and some risks have not been assessed. This has the potential to place the child at significant risk of harm. Oversight has not been robust and has lacked curiosity and detailed review. As a result, opportunities to evaluate the effectiveness of care and improve staff practice have been missed.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding incidents are managed well by staff. Although there are shortfalls in the guidance provided to them and some incidents might have been prevented, staff have used their skills effectively and have taken appropriate action to keep the child safe. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/12/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff do not rely on the police to manage behaviour. The registered person must also ensure that the guidance provided to staff on reducing risks and safeguarding the child is thorough, accurate and reviewed regularly in response to emerging risks and vulnerabilities. Staff must fully understand and follow this guidance. 8 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 5 The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must implement robust quality assurance and monitoring systems and maintain 8 May 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 6 effective oversight of the home to improve the quality of care provided. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Spring Valley Children’s Care Home Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Independence House, Adelaide Street, Me Hub, Heywood OL10 4HF

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Inspector

Tonia Dubidat, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 8 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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Inspector

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