Children's Home run by Amber Care Group UK Limited in Stockton-on-Tees

Inspection report for children’s home: 2756862 1 Registered provider: Amber Care Group UK Ltd

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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 is privately operated. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of the inspection, and both children were spoken with.

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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: 2756862 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Good 14/08/2024 Full Good 07/12/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2756862 3

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Summary of findings

Children live in a warm and welcoming environment where they have a sense of belonging. Staff support children to make progress with their independence, education, and social skills, helping children to grow in confidence and manage change positively.

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Summary of findings

Safeguarding arrangements are thorough. Staff responding to concerns appropriately, supporting children to feel safe and heard. Risks are well understood, and staff use de- escalation strategies when needed to keep children safe. Effective management oversight ensures that any inconsistencies in staff practice are identified and addressed.

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Summary of findings

Staff benefit from strong leadership, with an ambitious manager who knows the children well and promotes high standards. Excellent guidance from the manager, a stable staff team, and supportive supervision sessions for staff, ensures that children experience consistent care, while the manager actively advocates for children to achieve the best possible outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and provides a warm, family-oriented environment for the children. Each child has their own bedroom, which is personalised to reflect their individual interests and includes their personal belongings. Children’s photographs and achievements are displayed throughout the home and enrich the environment, helping to promote a sense of belonging and pride.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into the home, there is a clearly planned approach to support them in settling into their new environment. This helps children to feel welcomed and reduces any anxieties they may have during the transition.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress because of the consistent support provided by staff. This includes children developing important independence skills, such as managing aspects of their personal hygiene. One child has also made significant progress in their independence by accessing the community on their own and confidently using public transport.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with effective support to ensure that children attend education regularly. As a result, children have good attendance and are making positive academic progress. In addition, children are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, such as an art club. Staff’s ongoing support and encouragement, gives children the confidence to further develop their talents, interests, and skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop their social skills, which has led to noticeable improvements in their ability to communicate effectively with others. For example, one Inspection report for children’s home: 2756862 4 child initially used written communication; however, with consistent support from staff, they have developed the confidence to communicate their wishes and feelings verbally. Another child has been supported to build positive relationships with peers and is now able to spend time with friends in the community, demonstrating increased confidence and social interaction skills.

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

When children raise concerns about staff practice, these are thoroughly investigated. Children are supported to share their views and receive outcomes in a child-friendly way, with strategies implemented where needed to reduce the risk of harm.

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

The sense of safety children have, gives them the courage to speak with staff and other professionals about harmful experiences they have had. Information is shared with relevant agencies and staff ensure that children receive emotional support throughout. This helps children feel listened to, safe, and cared for.

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

There are no incidents of children going missing from the home. However, staff remain alert to children’s ever-changing risks and understand missing-from-home procedures, ensuring that they are ready to respond to any incident appropriately.

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

When children become upset, staff use a range of strategies to de-escalate situations, including providing children with emotional support and using distraction techniques. The manager maintains oversight of incidents, encouraging staff to reflect on their responses. On some occasions, responses are not fully consistent or aligned with children’s needs; however, these are identified by the manager, who provides additional support to staff to improve practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is aspirational and provides excellent leadership to the team. The manager has a strong presence and knows the children exceptionally well, demonstrating a deep understanding of their individual needs. The manager consistently promotes high expectations, resulting in sustained and meaningful progress for children. A culture of ambition and high aspirations is embedded across the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel highly supported and valued. Regular reflective supervision sessions and bespoke training opportunities improve practice and support professional development, enabling staff to provide consistently effective care. As a result, children benefit from a stable and committed staff team, enabling them to develop secure and trusting relationships that promote a strong sense of safety and belonging.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Comprehensive and highly effective monitoring systems provide thorough oversight of practice and the quality of care. The manager has a clear understanding of the team’s strengths and areas for development and uses this to drive continuous improvement, ensuring that children receive individualised care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2756862 5 The manager is an avid and tenacious advocate for children, actively challenging partner agencies to secure timely and appropriate support, including specialist services. This ensures that children receive the help they need to improve their outcomes. Inspection report for children’s home: 2756862 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 for children’s home: 2756862 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amber Care Group UK Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Boho Zero, 21 Gosford Street, Middlesbrough TS2 1BB

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Inspector

Kerry Chater, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2756862 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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