Children's Home run by ROC Home Limited in Sunderland

Inspection report for children's home: 2777652 1 Registered provider: ROC Home Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, 3 children were living at the home and were spoken to by the inspector.

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Information about this children's home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in May 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 28 October 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2777652 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/10/2025 Full Good 18/12/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2777652 3

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Summary of findings

The children living in this home are safe and happy and are making considerable progress in all aspects of their lives. Staff are aligned with children's individuality, adapting their skills and practice to provide bespoke support to each child, resulting in children thriving. Children are at the centre of all practice, with their views, wishes and feelings threaded throughout their daily care and experiences. Safety planning is a strength. Staff are vigilant in implementing safety measures and creative in educating children on risk and safety. The manager has implemented an ethos that prioritises positive relationships, nurture, and empowerment, which secures positive outcomes for children. Overall, the home is outstanding.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children flourish living in this home. Children have made extensive progress in their physical and emotional wellbeing. One child has gained the confidence and ability to verbally communicate, including with those unfamiliar to them. Another child has developed the skills to recognise their emotions and talk through these with staff. All children have learned vital life skills that have enhanced their independence and quality of life. One professional said that children living in this home are thriving.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have developed strong bonds with children. The home is filled with fun and laughter, creating a feeling of warmth and love. Staff provide routines and boundaries that are consistent, creating a sense of predictability and safety for children. This results in children having trusted relationships. Children talk fondly of staff, and one child said that they love everyone in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff value children's individual personalities, identities, and views. Children have autonomy over their lives, including the care they receive. Staff change their practice when children tell them that something is not working, empowering children, and promoting their sense of worth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Health is a large focus in the home. Staff are committed to identifying children's health needs. Staff complete referrals to all relevant health services and collaborate with external agencies. The manager has been innovative in gaining specialist training for staff to enhance their knowledge and understanding of a child's sensory needs. Staff are proactive in implementing all learning and advice into practice. As a result, children have developed an understanding of their own personal health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children and staff are the essence of the home. This provides and promotes a safe and family-feeling environment, with pictures and hobbies on show throughout. Children are proud of their bedrooms, with their personalities reflected through the decoration. There are plans to redecorate to enhance the homely feel further. Inspection report for children's home: 2777652 4

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

Staff are attuned to children, their risks and how they present when they are at risk. Staff identify subtle changes in children's behaviour, mannerisms, and facial expressions, responding with de-escalation strategies to help children feel safer. Staff are proactive in reflecting and seeking additional resources and support to further develop their practice. One child has had a significant reduction in incidents due to staff's consistent reflection and review of practice.

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

Safeguarding practice excels and reaches outside of the home. Child-focused risk assessments and safety plans are thorough and detailed, providing clear guidance to staff. There are some minor inaccuracies. However, staff have a deep understanding of their responsibilities and follow procedures, keeping children safe. Staff are attentive and can identify when children are at risk, including while they are in the care of others. Staff work quickly and in partnership with external agencies to implement immediate measures and secure children's safety. One professional said staff's 'communication [with external agencies] is incredibly effective'.

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

Physical interventions are used when children are at risk of harm. Extensive internal investigations are undertaken when there are concerns over the appropriateness and outcome of restraints. The manager provides scrutiny and challenge of staff practice and the response of other professionals. Learning is identified, and actions are taken immediately to prevent reoccurrence. Staff are open and honest and invite external oversight to develop safeguarding practice.

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

Staff ensure that they focus on educating children about risk. Staff are creative in encouraging children to engage, using different resources to make it fun, playing games, and completing quizzes. The engagement staff undertake with children is instrumental in maximising children's understanding of their own risks and supports them to develop strategies to keep themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is influential in changing the lives of children. They have high aspirations for children and are dedicated to securing positive outcomes for them. This commitment is shared by the deputy manager and senior leaders, creating a strong leadership team with high expectations for the care of children. This is reflected in the home through child-focused, consistent care and the development of practice through reflection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is tenacious in their advocacy for children. They provide challenge to relevant people when children are not experiencing the care vital to their wellbeing. The manager continues to provide challenge until she is confident the care provided will enhance children's daily lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff admire the support that leaders and managers provide. Staff report that leaders genuinely care about their wellbeing. Managers also demonstrate a commitment to the Inspection report for children's home: 2777652 5 professional development of staff. Personal development plans for senior staff highlight development areas and outline how these will be achieved. Supervisions explore additional learning for individual staff. The manager is responsive in identifying resources and disseminating them to staff for their learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Team meetings focus on reflection and the development of practice. The manager completes workshops within these that focus on the legislative responsibilities within residential care, providing staff with a deeper knowledge and understanding of their role. One member of staff said they have a career path for the first time due to the support managers have provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Research-based practice is evident throughout the home and staff's interactions with children. The manager uses research and theory to develop the workforce's understanding of children. They further request specialised external support to enhance this research by tailoring it to the children in the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2777652 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should continue to ensure that staff understand the importance of careful and clear recording. In particular, risk assessments should contain up-to- date and accurate information. (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: 2777652 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: ROC Group Ltd, Hope House, Burnhope, Newton Aycliffe DL5 7ER

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Inspector

Sarah McGow, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2777652 8 regulates and inspects 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 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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