Children's Home run by Parallel Parents Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2765214 1 Registered provider: Parallel Parents Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A large national provider of children’s services operates this home, which is situated in a rural location. It is registered to provide care for up to 8 children who may have social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, 4 children were living in the home, and the inspectors spoke with all children.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a registered school attached to the home. This is registered separately and was not inspected as part of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager was registered in January 2026. They are working towards a level 5 qualification in leadership and management in residential care. The manager was not present during this inspection.

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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: 20 January 2026

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2765214 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/01/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/12/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2765214 3

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Summary of findings

Children are making good progress from their starting points. They speak positively about the staff and enjoy living in the home. They access a wide range of activities and are supported to learn independence skills.

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Summary of findings

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities; they manage incidents effectively and speak with children about their feelings and emotions.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers ensure the staff have good-quality training and supervision, and staff speak positively about the support they receive from managers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move from the home, staff work with families and other professionals to ensure this change is managed sensitively. Children have leaving parties and receive personalised picture books, which include fun mementos of their time living in the home. Additionally, staff encourage and support children to stay in touch after they leave. This creates a sense of belonging and being valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Interactions between staff and children are nurturing and warm. Children said they like staff, feel safe living in the home and have trusted adults they can speak with. One child said, ‘Staff have a nice attitude towards me. If I’m upset or angry, they help me.’ The strong relationships that staff build support children’s emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff advocate for and support children to spend time with their families. They welcome families into the home and provide practical help such as transport, and they supervise family time where needed. This enhances children’s relationships with those who are important to them, which strengthens their identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is good partnership working between staff and educational professionals. As a result, all children are engaging well with education and have excellent attendance. Some children have made significant progress in their reading skills and learning mathematics times tables. Educators confirm that the home demonstrates a strong commitment to partnership working. Staff are proactive in attending meetings and ensure that children remain central to all discussions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported and encouraged to do the things they enjoy. They take part in lots of activities, including boxing, football, darts and making fun dens. Additionally, children are supported to develop their independence skills and take part in tasks such as cooking meals, helping with laundry and budgeting. The proactive approach from staff and managers promotes children’s sense of ownership in preparation for adulthood. Inspection report for children’s home: 2765214 4

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

When incidents occur between children, staff act quickly to de-escalate them. Children have opportunities to talk about the impact of bullying and reflect on their own experiences. Furthermore, they have been supported to create pictures of each other, highlighting their individual qualities and abilities. This helps to restore relationships following incidents.

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

When physical intervention is required, it is used as a last resort to ensure the safety of children and others. Managers have oversight of all incidents, and opportunities are provided to staff and children to reflect and learn from these.

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

There are effective safer ‑ recruitment processes in place, which reduce the risk of unsuitable adults working with children. New staff receive a detailed induction, and managers hold open discussions around safeguarding procedures and children’s individual plans. Good practice strengthens staff’s ability to keep children safe.

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

Staff speak confidently about their safeguarding responsibilities and know how to escalate concerns should they need to. On one occasion, a staff member did not follow one child’s agreed plans regarding accessing the community, which could have placed the child at risk. However, the manager took appropriate action, escalating concerns with the child’s social worker and the local authority designated officer.

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

The home has a stable and experienced team of staff; they understand children’s lived experiences and how best to support them. Children are encouraged to talk about their feelings and emotions with staff. They have opportunities to share strategies that help staff respond when they are upset. However, these strategies are not always included in risk assessments, making it difficult for new staff to have a clear understanding of how best to support the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers know the children well; they are child focused and have high expectations for both children and staff. A priority for the managers and staff is understanding the children’s needs, wishes and feelings. They regularly talk with children about their experiences of living in the home and to check that they feel safe. This reassures children that their views and feelings are listened to and that managers and staff will act when required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported, valued and listened to in their roles, which contributes to the children’s positive experience of living in the home. One staff member said, ‘Managers provide me with feedback. I like working with the management team and would not hesitate to ask for guidance or support if needed.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular and effective supervision takes place. This supports staff to reflect on their practice and identify any areas for development. Additionally, monthly team meetings are Inspection report for children’s home: 2765214 5 informative and are used to have open discussions about improving standards and experiences for children. They also use this time to embed staff learning and development in their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to a wide range of training that is specific to the needs of the children living in the home. Additionally, managers complete training sessions with staff around key subjects, such as safeguarding, incorporating quizzes and scenarios to help them understand staff knowledge and to further develop the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals and family members speak positively about the managers and staff. They said there is good communication and are pleased with the progress children are making. Furthermore, professionals feel that the staff team are approachable and child focused. Inspection report for children’s home: 2765214 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, they should ensure that children’s risk assessments include individual behaviour support strategies. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2765214 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Parallel Parents Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd, Floor Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road Heaviley, Buxton Road, Stockport SK2 6LR

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Inspectors

Kirsty Truesdale, Social Care Inspector Fran Dallow, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2765214 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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