Children's Home run by Unique Care Group Ltd in Shropshire

Inspection report children's home: 2828844 1 Registered provider: Unique Care Group 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 five children who have a learning disability or may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living in the home. No children have moved out of the home and 1 child moved into the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and is suitably qualified.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children's home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: Not applicable

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2828844 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Inspection report children's home: 2828844 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

When staff talk about the children, their warmth and affection are evident. Staff have a comprehensive understanding of each child’s needs and reflect thoughtfully on the impact of children’s early life experiences. They use this insight to inform exceptional practice and provide highly nurturing, compassionate care that enables children to thrive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff invest significant time in getting to know children deeply, which helps them understand non ‑ verbal communication and subtle cues. When children become distressed, staff respond with creativity and sensitivity, offering reassurance in ways that meet children’s individual needs. Staff use highly effective communication tools that help children express their choices and feelings, giving them reliable methods to communicate and reducing frustration.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There is a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere throughout the home. The environment is well maintained and decorated to a high standard. Children are encouraged to spend time in communal areas, which promotes social inclusion. Each room offers a distinct experience; for example, the sensory room allows children to explore light, colour and texture to support emotional regulation. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their interests and needs, promoting a strong sense of belonging. Bedrooms are also furnished to support peaceful rest and individual bedtime routines.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children attend school full ‑ time. Staff use familiar tools from school to maintain consistency in care. When children experience challenges in education, managers advocate strongly for plans that support their emerging needs while minimising disruption. One education professional praised the staff’s excellent communication and described how their efforts actively improve children’s prospects.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff demonstrate detailed knowledge of children’s complex health needs. Managers are determined that children’s experiences are not limited by their diagnoses and work proactively to ensure that children can safely participate in ordinary childhood activities. Managers advocate persistently for appropriate health support. This approach has led to one child securing a diagnosis and another being moved forward on a waiting list. One parent described staff as “extremely knowledgeable and actively engaged”, stating that positive outcomes “could not have been achieved without them.”

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are committed to offering stimulating and enriching experiences. For example, one child recently enjoyed a spontaneous singing and dancing session with staff, leading to visible joy and excitement. Children are given choices and frequent opportunities to participate in the activities they enjoy most.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff build strong and meaningful relationships with the people who matter to the children. This promotes positive and memorable family time. When arrangements become challenging, managers influence planning to ensure consistency and promote Inspection report children's home: 2828844 4 children’s well ‑ being. Families speak highly of the staff team, with one parent describing them as “like family”, and another recognising the “tireless efforts” that have helped improve the quality of time spent together.

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

Safety planning is meticulous and provides clear, detailed strategies that effectively safeguard children. Managers and staff use their extensive knowledge of policies and procedures to ensure children’s safety. Children’s plans are regularly reviewed and updated following incidents, ensuring they remain purposeful and reflective of children’s emerging needs.

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

Staff implement consistent boundaries and routines that help children experience predictable, reassuring care. Behaviour strategies are adapted to children’s individual communication needs and levels of understanding, with a strong focus on de ‑ escalation and supporting children to feel safe.

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

During incidents, children’s welfare is prioritised. Staff are committed to supporting children’s emotional well ‑ being and can recognise early signs of decline. Managers are confident in seeking external support and remain persistent until children’s needs are met.

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

Medication systems are robust and contribute to very few errors. Staff are immediately informed of any changes to medication and receive clear written guidance. Managers require written confirmation from staff to ensure understanding. When errors have occurred, learning has been shared across the team, and no further errors have happened as a result.

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

Children are consistently treated with dignity and respect. They express feeling safe and readily seek comfort from staff. Staff responses are flexible and attuned to children’s sensory needs, helping to build trusted relationships and contributing to a reduction in incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers share a compelling vision that places children firmly at the centre of all practice. Managers remain highly committed to children’s progress and to the continuous development of their staff team. Children are viewed as the strength of the home and make exceptional progress as a result.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is an exemplary role model who ensures children receive outstanding care. They lead with integrity and inspire a child ‑ centred approach throughout the home. This ensures the staff team consistently maintains the home’s ethos, and children remain respected, valued and prioritised at all times.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers use research to inform practice and improve outcomes. For example, staff use the vestibular triangle approach to help children regulate their bodies and develop Inspection report children's home: 2828844 5 emotional security. Before a child moves into the home, managers complete a thorough assessment of need and consider health diagnoses to ensure the team has the necessary skills. Where training needs are identified, learning is arranged swiftly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team is cohesive, dedicated and highly motivated. Staff describe managers as dependable and trustworthy. When agency staff are used, leaders ensure continuity by selecting workers with relevant skills and providing tailored induction training to maintain stability for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Shortfalls are rare and addressed immediately through rigorous monitoring and review. Recruitment processes are robust and ensure the employment of a safe, suitably skilled workforce. The manager uses systematic approaches to maintain oversight of children’s care, contributing to the continuous enhancement of children’s experiences and sustaining high ‑ quality practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have developed an innovative induction programme that provides new staff with a strong foundation in both theory and practical experience. One staff member new to social care described the programme as highly beneficial in preparing them for their responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers advocate persistently for children to ensure they receive appropriate support. Their efforts strengthen the child’s voice in multi ‑ agency forums and ensure that external agencies remain focused on children’s needs. Leaders challenge poor decision ‑ making effectively to drive improvements in outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from regular, reflective supervision that promotes practice development. Safeguarding updates are discussed in team meetings and explored further in supervision through scenario ‑ based questions. This approach embeds research ‑ informed practice and supports continuous upskilling of the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made. Inspection report children's home: 2828844 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 children's home: 2828844 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Unique Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1st Floor St. James House Anchorage Avenue, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6FG

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Inspector

Latoya Morgan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2828844 8 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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