Children's Home run by New Focus Child Care LTD in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children’s home: 2782456 1 Registered provider: New Focus Child Care Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered in July 2024 and is owned by a private provider. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, one child has come to live at the home, joining another child who was already living there. The child who moved in still lives there. The other child moved on to be cared for by a foster family. At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home and spoke to the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025.

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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: 2782456 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/08/2025 Full Good 14/01/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2782456 3

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Summary of findings

Children receive warm, nurturing and individualised care from a committed and stable staff team who know them well. Children make positive progress from their individual starting points because they experience trusting relationships, effective safeguarding and strong advocacy. Planned moves into the home and transitions from the home are carefully planned, ensuring children are well prepared and supported through periods of change. Children are listened to, are well cared for and benefit from a culture where their wellbeing, safety and aspirations are at the centre of practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience warm, nurturing relationships from consistent staff who understand their individual needs. These relationships provide children with consistency, emotional security and a sense of belonging. The child said that they feel cared for and well supported by the staff in the home. This reflects the positive relationships in the home and demonstrates that the child is valued and emotionally supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are thoughtfully prepared for significant changes in their lives. When a second child moved into the home, careful planning ensured that both children understood what the move would mean for them. Staff took time to explain the changes, answer questions and provide reassurance. This approach enabled both children to be supported through the transition and helped them to develop positive relationships and settle successfully.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child successfully moved to foster care after living in the home for a year. Staff planned the transition and developed a child-friendly plan using the child’s favourite gaming artwork into the document. The plan explained each stage of the process, from introductory meetings to visits and overnight stays. It also set out on a week-by-week basis what would happen and when. The plan was reviewed weekly with the child, providing opportunities to answer questions, discuss any worries and ensure they remained informed and prepared for the move to the foster family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff also recognised the impact this move could have on the child remaining in the home. Purposeful direct work helped the child understand the transition, express their feelings and prepare for the changes. This promoted emotional stability and ensured the child continued to feel supported during a time of significant change.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships established in the home continue after children leave. Staff have maintained appropriate contact with the child who moved to foster care, including visiting them following the move. Professionals confirmed that this contact is based on the child’s wishes, demonstrating the strength of the trusting relationships developed and the lasting positive impact of the care children receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2782456 4 Children’s wishes and feelings are central to everyday life in the home. Staff seek children’s views through daily conversations, direct work and house discussions. They ensure that children have opportunities to influence decisions about their care and daily routines. Children are involved in choosing meals and planning activities, enjoying spontaneous outings and treats when they express an interest in doing so. During the school holidays, the child identified places that they would like to visit, ensuring their

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

interests and preferences shape their experiences. The child wanted to change bedrooms to have more space and to redecorate. Staff supported them with this, enabling them to personalise their space and strengthen their sense of belonging.

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

Children are safeguarded by staff who understand their individual vulnerabilities and respond consistently to promote their safety and wellbeing. Children develop trusting relationships that enable them to seek help when they are worried, and staff support them to make safer choices.

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

Safeguarding concerns and allegations made by children are taken seriously and managed appropriately. When allegations have been retracted, staff have carried out reflective direct work to help children understand the implications of making allegations, while reinforcing that they will always be listened to and protected if they raise concerns.

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

When a child was missing from home, they received coordinated and effective support. Staff work closely with the team around the child and information from return home interviews is used to strengthen risk assessments and safety plans. As a result, missing- from-home incidents have reduced. The child routinely communicates their whereabouts with staff and engages positively with agreed safety measures, demonstrating increased trust and improved understanding of personal safety.

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

External professionals report that children have made good progress from their individual starting points. Children have experienced reduced risks, improved emotional wellbeing and greater stability because of the consistent, nurturing care they receive. This progress has enabled one child to successfully move to live with a foster family, reflecting the positive and sustained changes made during their time living in the home.

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

Staff speak about children with warmth, compassion and genuine affection. They recognise children’s strengths and remain committed to helping children develop confidence and self-esteem through direct work. This nurturing approach enables children to feel accepted and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager provides strong, child-focused leadership and has established a culture where children’s needs and wishes are at the heart of practice. She is aspirational for children and promotes a nurturing environment that reflects positive family life. Inspection report for children’s home: 2782456 5 Children benefit from a manager who advocates on their behalf. She has worked with the teams around the children to promote children’s educational opportunities, challenge barriers and secure appropriate education provisions. This has enabled children to have access to education that will support their long-term development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff describe the manager as approachable, supportive and available. They value the supervision they receive, which provides opportunities to reflect on practice, celebrate achievements and identify areas for professional development. This creates a positive and stable workforce, enabling children to benefit from consistent relationships with staff they know and trust.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear understanding of the home’s strengths, as well as the areas for development, and demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement. She recognises the need to strengthen management oversight to ensure safeguarding notifications are submitted to Ofsted without delay and that all staff achieve the required qualification within regulatory timescales. Inspection report for children’s home: 2782456 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all serious and significant safeguarding notifications are submitted to Ofsted without delay. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 4.10)  The registered person should ensure that all staff in a care role, have the qualification in regulation 32(4) within the relevant timescale listed in regulation 32(5). (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.12)

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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: 2782456 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Focus Child Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit A4, City Trading Park, Dewsbury Road, Stoke-on- Trent ST4 2TE

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Inspector

Reshma Kodampur, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2782456 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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