Children's Home run by Orchard Children Homes Ltd in Staffordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 1257740 1 Registered provider: Orchard Children Homes Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private organisation and provides care for up to 4 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2023 and is suitably qualified to run the home.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1257740 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/07/2025 Full Outstanding 30/07/2024 Full Good 29/11/2023 Full Outstanding 31/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1257740 3

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Summary of findings

Children have made significant and sustained progress while living in the home. Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of children’s individual needs and engage them with enthusiasm, creativity and highly responsive approaches. This results in children experiencing meaningful, positive relationships and developing increased confidence.

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Summary of findings

Therapeutic practice is consistently and deeply embedded across the home. A strong culture of reflection and continuous learning enables staff to continually adapt and improve their practice to meet children’s evolving needs.

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Summary of findings

The home is led by a committed and proactive manager who has high expectations for the quality of care provided. She is a strong and effective advocate for children, ensuring that their needs and wishes are central to decision-making, both in the home and in work done in partnership with other agencies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. One child has moved in since the last inspection, and 2 children have moved on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home provides a warm, welcoming and highly nurturing environment. Photos of children and staff are displayed throughout, celebrating shared experiences and relationships. Children’s bedrooms are highly personalised to reflect their individual interests and preferences. This contributes to a strong sense of belonging and identity for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child experienced a very well-planned and positive move from the home, following a period of significant and sustained progress. Their move was carefully informed by their views and wishes. Staff extended their support to the child’s family by offering practical advice and guidance. As a result, the child left with positive memories, together with the skills, resilience and support networks needed to thrive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child moved into and out of the home within a short time. Before the move, not all relevant information about the child’s needs and behaviours had been shared. Despite this, staff showed determination and professionalism in seeking to understand and meet the child’s needs. Following a comprehensive review, the manager has strengthened practice by ensuring that a wider range of professionals are consulted during care planning. This reduces the risk of gaps in information-sharing and promotes more informed decision-making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff enthusiastically engage children in activities that are meaningful to them. They show genuine interest in children’s achievements and interests, regularly celebrating Inspection report for children’s home: 1257740 4 their successes. This significantly strengthens relationships, builds confidence and helps children to feel valued and respected as individuals.

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

Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of children’s individual needs, experiences and vulnerabilities. They consistently apply this knowledge to deliver highly personalised and responsive care. As a result, children develop strong, trusting relationships with staff and engage positively with the support provided.

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

Staff are highly attuned to both verbal and non-verbal cues. They respond with sensitivity, consistency and skill, often identifying emerging needs at an early stage. This proactive approach enables staff to intervene promptly, reducing the likelihood of escalation. Consequently, children experience a strong sense of safety, security and emotional stability.

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

Incidents requiring physical intervention are rare. When used, such interventions are proportionate, appropriate and clearly focused on safeguarding children. A deeply embedded culture of reflection ensures that staff continually evaluate practice, understand the underlying causes of behaviour, and refine their responses to better meet children’s needs.

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

Therapeutic practice is exceptionally well embedded across all aspects of care. The use of non-violent resistance (NVR) has been further strengthened since the last inspection. Initially implemented to support one child, it has since been extended thoughtfully when staff have identified potential benefits for others.

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

The team’s application of the PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy) model is consistently evident in daily interactions, direct work and recording. This approach is used with high levels of skill and authenticity, underpinning the home’s therapeutic culture.

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

Staff provide highly effective and sensitive support to help children explore and make sense of their past experiences. They do so with patience and expertise, creating an environment where children feel safe to share. Partnership working with external professionals is excellent, ensuring that children benefit from coordinated and holistic responses that promote their safety and emotional wellbeing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by a highly committed and inspiring manager who consistently strives to achieve the very best outcomes for children. She leads by example, demonstrating high expectations and a strong child-centred ethos that is embedded throughout practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel exceptionally well supported and valued. They speak positively about their experiences of working in the home and report high levels of job satisfaction. The manager prioritises staff development, providing excellent access to training and Inspection report for children’s home: 1257740 5 progression opportunities. Many staff have been supported to achieve relevant qualifications and to advance within the organisation. This ensures that children are cared for by confident, skilled and knowledgeable adults.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision arrangements are highly effective and purposeful. Staff receive regular supervision that supports reflection, development and accountability. In addition, monthly supervision sessions focused specifically on the PACE model further strengthen therapeutic practice and enable staff to maintain a clear focus on each child’s lived experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Feedback from professionals and family members consistently highlights the exceptional quality of care provided. The staff team is described as highly committed, motivated and dedicated to improving outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 1257740 6

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Recommendation

 The registered should ensure effective care planning and strong working relationships between the staff and the placing authority are essential to the success of placements. This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that they have contacted all relevant professionals when considering whether the home is a suitable placement for a child. This should include health professionals as well as those in social care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.2)

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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: 1257740 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Orchard Children Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Orchard Children Homes Ltd, 2nd Floor, 118 Calais Road, Burton-on-Trent DE13 0UW

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Inspector

Sophie Coogan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1257740 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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