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

Inspection report for children's home: SC408369 1 SC408369 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

The home is operated by the local authority. It provides care for up to 2 children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered in 2020 and is suitably qualified. The manager is also registered with another of the local authority's children's homes.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, there was one child living in the home, who spoke to the inspector during the visit.

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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: 11 November 2025

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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: SC408369 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/11/2025 Full Good 28/01/2025 Full Good 26/09/2023 Full Good 24/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC408369 3

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Summary of findings

Staff and leaders continue to provide a stable and secure home for one child whose needs remain complex. Staff have developed trusted relationships and worked persistently with partner agencies to reduce risk and promote the child's progress. The child has made positive progress in education. There is a carefully prepared plan for the child to move towards greater independence to ensure those caring for them have a clear understanding of their strengths, vulnerabilities and support needs. This home is well led and managed by an experienced manager and team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has experienced a particularly challenging period. This has affected the pace of their progress. Despite this, there have been meaningful achievements in some areas, including education. The child has re-engaged with learning and completed examinations. Managers and staff have shown a clear commitment to maintaining consistency and stability for the child and worked closely with education providers to overcome barriers. College visits, post-16 applications and careers guidance have been arranged and facilitated. This has helped the child to explore their options, develop aspirations and remain involved in planning for their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Another child has moved to a nearby home within the same organisation. The decision for the child to move was carefully considered and balanced against the individual needs of both children. Leaders responded promptly when the suitability of both children living together changed. This thoughtful planning prioritised both children's welfare and ensured that one child was supported by a trusted member of staff who relocated with them. This demonstrates consistency of care and commitment to children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote the child's health, wellbeing and independence through encouragement and practical support. Managers promote health and specialist appointments, pursue referrals and explore alternative pathways. Consequently, the child has enjoyed days out with staff and has opportunities to spend time in the community. In addition, there is gym membership available to the child. Although this is not consistently used, staff continue to encourage the child to re-engage or consider other activities that may interest them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported by a staff team that is suitably qualified and invested in the child. Staff care about the child's future and are nurturing and therapeutically focused on building relationships and connections. There is a clear commitment to helping the child maintain relationships with people who are important to them and sustaining lasting links as they move into adulthood. Inspection report for children's home: SC408369 4 Children's next steps are carefully planned to ensure that they receive the right support at the right time. Support provided takes into account the child's vulnerabilities and ensures that they are helped to develop strategies to keep themselves safer. Staff help children develop independence and practical life skills, enabling them to build confidence, develop self-awareness and make informed choices.

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

Staff know the child well and have a good understanding of the risks they may be vulnerable too. When missing-from-home incidents increased, leaders analysed the contributing factors, using this insight to strengthen risk management. This has helped staff and managers become more vigilant and proactive. Staff and managers have a better understanding of what may trigger an increase in the child's responses and be more sensitive to changes in the child's presentation. Staff and leaders have taken decisive action as risks have increased. They have reviewed risk assessments and safety plans and improved staffing arrangements with additional supervision put in place to help support staff. Staff know what to do when the child is missing and take active steps to find them. They continue to talk openly with the child about their safety and help them consider ways to reduce risk and keep safe. Although concerns in the community remain, they have reduced in recent months. Staff do not

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

become complacent and continue to share and reflect on the child's daily presentation. Leaders share safeguarding concerns with partner professionals effectively. Strategy discussions and multi-agency meetings take place to consider risks appropriately. Staff have built communication with people who are important to the child. At times, this has provided valuable information and helped staff respond more quickly when there are concerns about the child's welfare. Incidents are carefully reviewed. Staff use reflective discussions and therapeutic input to consider what may be driving the child's behaviour and how they could respond differently. This has helped staff develop and change their approach to incorporate individualised behaviour management strategies. Trained staff consistently follow agreed procedures when using physical interventions. They use them only when necessary. Children and staff are offered opportunities to

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

reflect afterwards. This helps to identify learning and support safe practice that safeguards children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An experienced manager leads the home well. They are supported by a committed staff team that knows the child's individual needs. Staff care about the child and remain nurturing and committed in their approach. provides the child with consistency from adults who understand them and continue to support them during the challenging periods in their lives. Staff feel supported and value the regular supervision they receive. Reflective discussions give staff space to consider incidents, the child's changing presentation and what may be driving some of their behaviours. Managers and staff use Inspection report for children's home: SC408369 5 these discussions to consider different strategies and adapt practice when certain approaches are not working. This helps staff remain thoughtful in their responses and supports a more consistent care model for the child. Leaders work closely with external professionals and agencies. They are advocates for

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

the child and actively contribute to multi-agency planning to secure the support the child needs and manage increasing risk. Professional feedback about the home is positive and recognises the team's flexibility, communication and commitment to the child. This joined-up approach helps ensure that professionals share, understand and respond to risks collectively. Staff have access to specialist professional learning opportunities that reflect the needs of the children living at the home. However, some staff require refresher training in areas linked to the child's specific needs. Managers are aware of this and have plans in place to ensure staff have the knowledge and skills to better support children. There are some areas of weaknesses and inconsistencies in the quality of independent scrutiny and reporting. This reduces the effectiveness of external reviews and limits managers' opportunities to use external challenge to support improvement. In addition,

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

it limits Ofsted’s ability to gain a clear and accurate overview of the home's operations. Inspection report for children's home: SC408369 6

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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 registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person –

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as an independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such off the homes records open brackets except for a child's case records unless the child under child's placing authority consent close brackets as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit open brackets speech marks the independent person's report close speech marks close brackets which sets out, in particular the independent person's opinion as to whether –

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (4)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the independent person's visits include sufficient inspection of the premises and opportunities to speak with the children. The independent person's reports must clearly set out their opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded. 2 October 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge to understand and meet each child's individual needs. Specifically, specialist training should be refreshed when required so that staff remain suitably equipped to provide care and support that is informed by children's specific needs. ('Guide to the Inspection report for children's home: SC408369 7 Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 52, paragraph 10.5)

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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: SC408369 8

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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: SC408369 9 regulates 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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Inspector

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