Children's Home run by Halliwell Homes (Midlands Division) Limited in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children’s home: 2859808 1 Registered provider: Halliwell Homes (Midlands Division) 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 by a private company and is registered to provide care for up to 5 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in December 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a school located on the same site, which is separately registered and open to children living in the home. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2859808 2

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Summary of findings

This is the home’s first inspection since it was registered. Children have not lived at the home long but are starting to settle and build trusting relationships with staff. Children have clear routines and boundaries which staff consistently implement. While there is a relatively new team in place, there are experienced and qualified staff alongside less experienced staff to support the children and help them make progress. Children living in the home also benefit from the support of a wider team of clinical and education professionals who are also helping the children to progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home was registered, two children have moved in and are settling well. The inspector spoke to the children and saw them happily playing together. The children are proud to show visitors their home and talk about the things they enjoy doing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that when children move into the home, these moves are well planned. Where possible, staff take the time to meet and get to know children before they arrive. This enables staff to prepare the home in line with children’s specific likes and preferences. Information about the home is also shared with the children so they know what to expect, and welcome packs with toys and basic essentials are prepared for them. This helps children feel welcome and reduces anxieties they may have about their move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to maintain positive relationships with people who are important to them. Both children live a long distance from their home area, and staff support them to be in regular touch with their families. Staff also spend time helping children emotionally prepare for visits so they can feel less worried. These positive experiences help children to feel they belong and stay connected to their families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of education in helping children to achieve their potential. Children attend the onsite school so that they can promptly continue with their education following their arrival at the home. Staff have developed good working relationships with education staff, which supports consistency across the home and school environments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health and wellbeing needs are well supported. Children are registered with local health services and attend routine appointments. They are encouraged to be active and eat balanced meals. Children also benefit from a team of in-house therapists who help support their emotional wellbeing. Inspection report for children’s home: 2859808 3 The home environment is warm and welcoming. The home is decorated and furnished to a high standard. Children’s rooms are personalised and contain a range of books and toys that are appropriate for children’s ages and understanding.

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

In the short time that children have lived in the home, they have built trusting relationships with staff. This has led to one child feeling able to speak openly about their past experiences so that staff can better support their needs.

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

Staff recognise the importance of structure and routine in children’s lives and are consistent in implementing routines and boundaries. This helps children to understand what is expected of them and helps them to feel safe and secure.

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

Overall, staff manage incidents well and understand the reasons behind children’s behaviour. Children are supported to understand and manage their emotions. One family member told the inspector, ‘It’s been great. [Name of child] is much happier here; they are a lot calmer.’

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

Staff sometimes use physical interventions to support children and keep them and others safe. This is usually appropriate and proportionate, and children are given the chance to speak about this afterwards so they can raise any worries or concerns they have. On one occasion, staff used a physical intervention in a child’s bedroom. There was a lack of reflection on whether this was necessary at the time and on the impact of this taking place in the child’s room. This is a missed opportunity for learning.

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

Staff and leaders take any allegations seriously. Staff have a clear understanding of the action they must take if a child makes an allegation. Staff work cooperatively with appropriate professionals and ensure allegations are thoroughly investigated. This provides children with the assurance that they can trust staff to act on their concerns.

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

Staff regularly have important conversations with children to help them understand how to keep safe. These conversations are relevant to the children’s individual risks and carried out in a child-friendly way. Staff make good use of resources, such as videos and worksheets, to aid the children’s understanding of potential risks and provide them with knowledge to help them understand safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a suitably qualified manager who is well supported by the responsible individual and team of in-house specialists. Together there is a clear vision and model of care in place to help children make progress. The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development, and leaders are working to develop the staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2859808 4 Team meetings and staff supervision take place regularly, providing staff with opportunities for support, reflection and development. Children’s care needs are regularly discussed, and staff receive additional support from the in-house therapy team in providing individualised care for children. Staff say they feel well supported. These arrangements help to ensure consistency of care that is reflective of children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from professionals and family members is positive about the home and care provided for children. One professional said, ‘They understand children, and that comes across. It’s a very nurturing environment.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children benefit from a suitable, consistent staff team. Staff have a thorough induction process and access to relevant training to meet children’s individual needs. Most of the staff are qualified or working towards achieving the required qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers follow safer recruitment processes. Relevant checks are completed before staff work with children, which reduces the risks of unsuitable staff being employed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Overall, leaders and managers maintain effective oversight of the home, helping to maintain standards and keep children safe. However, there are some shortfalls in the monitoring and oversight of the home. These relate to the storage of medicines in extreme heat, and in showing professional curiosity following incidents to aid supportive challenge to staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2859808 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff understand children’s plans and how to support children to reduce risks during incidents. 31 July 2026

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(h)) 31 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2859808 6 In particular, the registered person must ensure that they have clear oversight of incidents to support staff to reflect on and improve their practice.

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Recommendation

 The registered manager should ensure that medicines are consistently stored at the correct temperature in line with manufacturer’s instructions to ensure their ongoing effectiveness. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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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: 2859808 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Halliwell Homes (Midlands Division) Limited.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pearce House, 80 Cawdor Street, Eccles, Manchester M30 0QF

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Inspector

Louise Naylor, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2859808 8 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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