Children's Home run by First 4 Children Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children's home: 2711236 1 Registered provider: First 4 Children Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to 3 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children's home

The home was registered with Ofsted in March 2023. A new manager leads the home and has applied to registered with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children's home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection; both children were seen during the inspection. One child was spoken to and the other child declined.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children's home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2711236 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full good 17/07/2024 Full requires improvement to be good 15/11/2023 Full good 22/08/2023 Full inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2711236 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Children have experienced mixed outcomes since the last inspection. One child chose not to share their views. However, feedback from professionals indicates that their experiences have been adversely affected by changes in both the staff team and the composition of children in the home.

p.3

Summary of findings

The previous staff team knew the children well. However, due to significant staff turnover, this knowledge, as well as skills and experience, has been lost. During the period when agency staff were used, there was an increase in the escalation of incidents and inconsistencies in safeguarding practice. This was largely due to staff not having a full understanding of the complexity of the children's needs.

p.3

Summary of findings

The manager now has a fully recruited staff team and is focused on developing a strong and consistent team culture. There have also been changes in leadership. Both the manager and the responsible individual are new to the home and have identified clear priorities for improvement.

p.3

improvement to be good

Two children currently live in the home. Since the last inspection, 2 children have moved on and one new child has been admitted.

p.3

improvement to be good

There has been significant staff turnover, with the majority of staff leaving in recent months. Five team members, including the registered manager, left within one week. Consequently, the home relied on agency staff while recruiting new team members.

p.3

improvement to be good

Since April, the use of agency staff has significantly reduced and is now limited to waking night cover. Leaders have successfully recruited a full staff team; all but one member have commenced working in the home. However, these substantial changes have resulted in children not being cared for consistently by adults who know them well. As a result, children have experienced a loss of important relationships.

p.3

improvement to be good

When children move into the home, they benefit from a well-planned introduction, including opportunities to visit and meet staff. The needs of the child admitted were carefully considered alongside those of the existing child to ensure compatibility and that all needs could be met. However, key information about one child's needs was not shared between health and social care services. As a result, the referral lacked critical information, as this was unknown to the placing authority at the time. This has led to challenges for staff in meeting this child's needs, contributing to a high number of significant incidents. These incidents have frequently involved the other child being targeted, which has had a significant impact on their emotional wellbeing. One professional reported that the child said they felt 'scared' in the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2711236 4 Managers recognise the impact on children and are working closely with both placing

p.3

improvement to be good

authorities. Support has been increased, including enhanced daytime staffing and the introduction of a waking night staff member since February. Incidents have reduced in recent months. The manager has appropriately escalated concerns regarding both children's needs, and regular review meetings are in place.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children's health needs are well supported. They access routine healthcare services and benefit from in-house therapeutic support. The therapy team provides direct work for one child and consultation to staff to inform care planning and strategies. Leaders and managers have effectively challenged health services, resulting in the sharing of previously unavailable health information, which now informs planning for the child.

p.4

improvement to be good

Education is prioritised, and children are making good progress. One child joined the home with significant barriers to learning following a prolonged absence from education. They have since engaged in tutoring and, as a result of their progress, returned to school in April. They are now working towards a full timetable. The other child continues to make sustained and positive progress, has successfully transitioned to key stage 3, and maintains excellent attendance of 98%.

p.4

improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, children have accessed a wide range of social opportunities. They are encouraged to participate in clubs and try new activities. Their interests are actively promoted, resulting in a variety of enriching experiences and trips.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children have detailed care plans and individual risk assessments, which are regularly reviewed. However, for one child, there were shortfalls in documentation, with 2 known behaviours not reflected in their risk assessment. As a result, staff were unable to effectively safeguard the child during 2 significant incidents involving the home's vehicle, which led to police involvement. Following these incidents, opportunities to reflect and learn as a staff team were not consistently utilised.

p.4

improvement to be good

There has been a high number of physical restraints since the last inspection. The use of restraint is proportionate, and records are generally clear. However, one incident lacked managerial oversight due to a technical issue with the recording system, and opportunities to debrief staff were missed.

p.4

improvement to be good

When children go missing from the home, staff understand and follow individual protocols. Reflective conversations and key-work sessions are used to explore triggers and reduce the risk of recurrence. Incidents are recorded in detail and receive timely managerial oversight. However, there is no evidence of return home interviews being completed. Since the appointment of the new manager and responsible individual, there have been no missing episodes. Where interviews may have taken place previously, records were not available at the time of inspection. Inspection report for children's home: 2711236 5 When allegations are made, leaders carry out thorough investigations and share information appropriately with relevant agencies. Prompt action is taken to manage risk, including reviewing staff working arrangements. Children are supported through key- work sessions to understand processes and are kept informed of changes to their plans.

p.4

improvement to be good

Children live in a home that is, overall, comfortable and welcoming. When damage occurs, repairs are completed promptly. Due to repeated incidents of damage, some environmental adaptations have been made, including the installation of metal radiator covers and the removal of certain kitchen appliances. While these measures help to reduce risk, they detract from the homely environment, as more homely alternatives could have been considered.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

A new manager joined the home in April 2026, having been recruited prior to the departure of the previous manager, ensuring continuity of leadership. The previous responsible individual left in December 2025, and a new responsible individual was appointed in January 2026. The manager has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Due to the staff changes in February, most of the current team, including the manager, began working in the home in April. Only one staff member remains from the previous team. As a result, staff are in the early stages of developing relationships with each other, the manager and the children.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager is focused on building a cohesive team and has spent additional time in the home to strengthen relationships. Despite recent changes, staff report positively about the support they receive from leaders.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The previous manager maintained oversight of the quality of care through regular audits, the monitoring of incidents and the use of up-to-date care plans. However, prior to the management transition, periods of absence led to a temporary decline in oversight and staff supervision.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The new manager has only recently taken up post and has not yet fully embedded monitoring systems. He is reviewing existing quality assurance processes to ensure that they are robust and effective, and to bring oversight fully up to date.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Although monitoring systems are in place, they are not yet consistently effective. Shortfalls were identified in risk assessments, staff debriefs and the recording of key- work sessions, which were sometimes inaccurately linked to unrelated incidents. Inspection report for children's home: 2711236 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)) 15 June 2026

p.6

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 15 June 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2711236 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.6

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.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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)(f)(h))

p.7

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

p.7

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)) 15 June 2026

p.7

Recommendation

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 13.2)

p.7

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: 2711236 8

p.7

Children's home details

Registered provider: First 4 Children Ltd

p.8

Children's home details

Registered provider address: Office 7, Old Whieldon Road Business Centre, Old Whieldon Road, Stoke-On-Trent ST4 4HW

p.8

Inspector

Joanne Hawkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2711236 9 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9