Children's Home run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children’s home: 2538287 1 Registered provider: Stoke on Trent City Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a local authority and provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. The child was seen by the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024. They are also registered for another children’s home in the local authority. The manager was present during the inspection.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2538287 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/06/2025 Full Good 11/02/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/11/2023 Full Outstanding 05/07/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2538287 3

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Summary of findings

Staff and leaders have maintained a good standard of care since the last inspection. The child benefits from a stable and consistent environment, supported by an experienced manager and staff who know them well. Positive relationships have continued and have contributed to continued progress, particularly in education and health. Care planning is well considered and focused on individual needs. Leaders demonstrate the ability to reflect and improve practice. Overall, the home provides effective, child-centred care that supports ongoing progress and keeps children safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has continued to live at the home since the last inspection, benefiting from stability, consistency and secure relationships with staff who know them well. Consequently, the child has continued to make progress from their individual starting point and is developing confidence that helps them feel safe and settled.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education remains a significant strength. The child enjoys attending school. They have maintained very good attendance and are making expected academic progress. Staff have high aspirations for the child and encourage their plans for college. They work closely with education professionals and celebrate achievements, helping the child develop confidence and ambition for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s health needs are well understood and supported. Managers have been persistent in pursuing specialist assessments with the local authority to ensure that the child’s needs are better understood. They embed therapeutic advice into daily care. Specialist medical appointments are progressing appropriately, and medication is carefully monitored to help staff understand its impact on the child’s behaviour and emotional wellbeing. Staff also encourage healthier eating habits and support the child to broaden their diet.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s voice is central to care planning. They are provided with opportunities to contribute to decisions about activities, independence goals and the running of the home. The child is beginning to develop age-appropriate independence through opportunities such as walking to local shops, helping with household tasks and preparing for adulthood. However, the child has not consistently been provided with opportunities to explore new activities and hobbies that would develop their confidence and extend their social experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some members of staff know the child exceptionally well and provide warm, nurturing care that reflects their individual needs and preferences. Positive routines, meaningful interactions and consistent boundaries help the child feel valued and understood. Behaviour support is well planned, with proportionate rewards and consequences that promote responsibility while maintaining positive relationships. Inspection report for children’s home: 2538287 4 Two children have moved into the home since the last inspection. Both transitions demonstrated thoughtful decision-making and planning. One young person’s planned transition to semi-supported accommodation was well coordinated, with effective advocacy. For example, staff helped the child to secure additional support to promote a successful move. Despite careful planning before one child moved into the home, this move later proved to be unsuitable because of emerging risks between both children

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

while living together. Managers acted promptly to protect both children, with one child returning to their original home, which they preferred. Leaders have reflected on the lessons learned and used these to strengthen future decision-making processes.

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

Children are cared for by staff who understand their individual vulnerabilities and respond consistently to keep them safe. Comprehensive risk management processes clearly identify known risks, protective strategies and actions required by staff. Staff review these appropriately, ensuring that safeguarding arrangements are dynamic and remain responsive to children’s changing needs.

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

Staff use therapeutic approaches alongside targeted direct work to help children understand risks, develop safer behaviours and build resilience. Children receive support to understand difficult experiences, recognise healthy relationships and develop strategies that promote their emotional wellbeing. This helps children feel listened to and supported during challenging times.

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

Managers and staff manage safeguarding concerns appropriately. An allegation made against a member of staff was also responded to promptly, with appropriate referrals made and investigations carried out. Throughout this process, the child’s welfare remained central, with emotional support and clear communication helping to maintain their confidence and safety.

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

Physical intervention is rarely used and has not been required since October 2025. Staff act proportionately when physical intervention is required. They maintain safety, with appropriate recording, management oversight and reflective debriefs, ensuring that practice remains child focused and learning is identified.

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

Children benefit from clear and proportionate arrangements to promote their safety. Agreed boundaries relating to technology and mobile devices are regularly reviewed in line with identified risks. Room searches are only carried out when necessary and are appropriately recorded and shared with relevant professionals. This approach balances children’s rights with the need to keep them safe.

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

Leaders and staff continue to promote family relationships despite factors outside the home’s control affecting arrangements. Managers actively challenge and work alongside partner agencies to progress family time wherever possible, ensuring that the child’s relationships with people who are important to them remain a key consideration in care planning. Inspection report for children’s home: 2538287 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The experienced registered manager provides consistent, reflective and child-centred leadership that creates a positive culture throughout the home. Children benefit from stable management oversight and a clear focus on achieving positive outcomes. Managers know the children well and maintain effective oversight of practice through regular checks and evaluation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is welcoming, comfortable and suitably maintained. Children’s bedrooms reflect their personalities and interests, while shared areas provide a relaxed family environment. Leaders and staff have created a nurturing culture where children experience warmth, consistency and genuine care, helping them develop a sense of belonging and security.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a positive advocate for children. They challenge other professionals appropriately to reduce delays in accessing specialist assessments, health services and future planning. This persistence ensures that children’s individual needs remain at the forefront of multi-agency planning and contributes to improved outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The therapeutic model of the organisation is well embedded in practice. Staff receive regular guidance and consultation from in-house clinical professionals, helping them understand and consistently respond to children’s complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recording has improved since the last inspection and now provides a clearer reflection of children’s lived experiences, their voices, and the impact of direct work carried out with them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report feeling well supported through regular supervision, reflective discussions and accessible management. Despite occasional staffing pressures, managers have maintained continuity of care through an experienced and committed team. Recruitment, supervision and professional development opportunities are appropriately managed and contribute to safe practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2538287 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff continue to encourage and support children to take part in a range of activities that enhance and develop their interests and social skills, including hobbies, day trips and longer trips away where appropriate. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.5)

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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: 2538287 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stoke on Trent City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Floor 2, Stoke on Trent ST4 1HH

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Inspector

Gill Rudkin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2538287 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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