Children's Home run by Unity Residential Care Services Limited in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1249326 1 Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services 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

A private company owns this home, which provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The experienced manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025. They hold a qualification in level 9 SVQ in social services (children and young people) SCQF.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were four children living at the home. All the children spent time with and spoke with the inspector.

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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 outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1249326 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/07/2025 Full Good 08/10/2024 Full Good 18/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1249326 3

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Summary of findings

Children benefit from stable and well-planned care, with positive support during moves. On one occasion, a pre-admission assessment lacked professional curiosity. Most children make good educational progress through strong school communication and individualised support, with achievements celebrated. Health needs are met, and activities promote wellbeing. Staff support children’s identity, relationships and independence. Safeguarding is effective. Consistent routines help to develop positive behaviours and reduce risk. Managers support staff and children to reflect following incidents. Leadership is strong, and promotes a child-centred culture, strong staff support, effective partnership working, and continuous improvement within a warm, nurturing environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from stable care. Two children experienced carefully planned moves into the home. Staff ensured that each child felt welcome and supported their settling-in process. However, the assessment for one child did not fully identify all needs prior to moving in. This practice has the potential to impact placement stability. One child also experienced a planned move from the home. Managers and staff ensured the move was well organised and that the child was prepared, which supported them to feel confident and settled.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children make progress in their education. Staff established good communication with teachers. Children’s learning experiences are understood and children receive individualised support to enable them to reach their educational potential. When there are barriers to a child’s learning, the manager works well with professionals to ensure that the child’s plan considers their views. Managers and staff attend meetings at school and college, where children’s progress is discussed and work showcased. Managers and staff celebrate children’s academic achievements. For example, one child is preparing for their prom.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children are registered with local health services and have access to both routine and unplanned health appointments. They also support children to access specialist services when this is needed. Staff arrange activities that promote regular exercise. Staff prepare nutritious meals to support children’s health and weight and to help children develop good eating habits.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to participate in activities they enjoy. One child, who likes dogs, took part in a Husky ride experience. Another child attended their first concert to see a favourite hip-hop artist. These experiences support emotional wellbeing and promote positive life choices. Inspection report for children’s home: 1249326 4 The manager ensures that children maintain contact with important people, supporting their sense of identity and belonging. Staff also promote cultural awareness by researching and celebrating children’s heritage. In addition, they raise awareness of social issues, including mental health and LGBTQ+ topics. Staff present information to children in an engaging and accessible way that promotes inclusion.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide opportunities for children to develop independence skills at a pace that suits them. Children are encouraged to keep their bedrooms tidy and contribute to household tasks. One child who is preparing for semi-independence manages a weekly budget, purchases food and cooks meals daily. These experiences help children to prepare for their future.

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

Staff provide clear, consistent routines that help children feel safe, secure and supported. Staff’s nurturing approach helps to form positive relationships and reduces children’s anxieties. When incidents occur, staff use effective strategies to manage situations calmly and safely. On some occasions, and as a last resort, staff hold children to prevent harm to themselves or others. The manager and responsible individual ensure that all incidents of physical restraint are reviewed and evaluated. This process includes discussions with the child and staff. Reviews identify learning, support reflective practice and inform future care arrangements to improve outcomes.

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

Children benefit from consistent care. One child attributed positive relationships with staff to making safer decisions and no longer going missing from home. Staff respond appropriately when children’s whereabouts are not known and children are welcomed home. The manager identified communication barriers between police forces that can delay responses and appropriately escalated this concern to a Member of Parliament. A proactive and nurturing approach to keep children safe means children no longer go missing.

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

Staff use research to inform important discussions with children, helping them develop skills to keep themselves safe. For example, when staff became aware of a substance circulating in the local area, they researched it and spoke with the child about its physical, social, psychological and financial impact. This supports children to recognise risk and make safer choices when away from home.

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

Staff support children to manage peer relationships in the home, which has helped to build resilience. One child spoke positively about living with other children and demonstrated empathy towards peers.

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

Since the last inspection, three staff have started working in the home. The manager has effective recruitment systems in place to reduce the risk of unsuitable individuals caring for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 1249326 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager demonstrates exceptionally high aspirations for children and leads with clear passion and commitment. Strong, trusting relationships are firmly established, enabling children to respond positively, feel secure and engage meaningfully in their care. This reflects a child-centred culture where positive outcomes are consistently prioritised.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a thorough and insightful understanding of the home’s strengths, with a continual focus on development and improvement. Forward planning is proactive and embedded in practice, ensuring that the service not only sustains high standards but continues to evolve in response to children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff describe a highly supportive and empowering environment, where they feel valued and well guided. As a result, staff morale is high, practice is consistent, and children benefit from stable, confident and nurturing care delivered by a motivated workforce.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Relationships with professionals are effective, characterised by clear communication and confident, constructive challenge where necessary. This ensures that multi-agency working strengthens outcomes for children through shared accountability and high expectations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager advocates relentlessly for children, ensuring that their best interests remain central to all decision-making. Children’s views, wishes and feelings are well understood and actively shape care planning and day-to-day practice. This helps children feel that their views make a difference.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Monitoring systems are highly effective, identifying learning that is swiftly translated into improved practice. This demonstrates a strong learning culture and a commitment to continuous improvement across the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 1249326 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should have in place a consistent assessment process for the child in advance of the placement, whereby the other relevant person’s input is sought on the implementation and arrangements for the care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 18, paragraph 3.30)

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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: 1249326 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Unity Residential Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 Lymevale Court, Lyme Drive, Parklands, Stoke-on- Trent ST4 6NW

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Inspectors

Helen Dunn, Social Care Inspector Reshma Kodampur, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1249326 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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