Children's Home run by Spring Valley Children’s Care Home in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 1 Registered provider: Spring Valley Children’s Care Home

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and run by a private company. The home provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home and spoke with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post is vacant. There is a manager in post who has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: 9 December 2025

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/12/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 3

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Summary of findings

Since the home registered with Ofsted in August 2025, there have been a number of challenges, resulting in shortfalls in the care provided and the safety and wellbeing of children. There has been a notable improvement in all areas following a renewed focus on safety of children and leadership and management. Leaders are taking effective action to address weaknesses. While this is in its infancy in relation to some issues, the quality of care that children receive is improving. This is because there is now a clearer emphasis on children’s safety and positive experiences.

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Summary of findings

Requirements from the assurance inspection undertaken on 04 March 2026 have been met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child lives in the home and is making good progress from their starting point. They have built positive relationships with managers and staff. The child said they feel safe and supported and know that staff understand their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s voice is heard and valued. They are regularly consulted about their care, what works well and what needs to be developed. Staff tailor this to the child’s individual needs, creating a relaxed and supportive environment where they feel able to share their views and feelings. This approach promotes positive relationships and ensures that the child feels listened to and understood. This has resulted in a noticeable reduction in incidents and contributed to a positive living environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is highly valued. Managers and staff provide effective support to the child. This helps them to understand the challenges they are facing and to identify practical strategies which may help them overcome barriers to learning and engagement. The child is also encouraged to take responsibility and develop increasing self-awareness to improve their educational outcomes. This approach not only addresses educational engagement but also helps the child to build resilience, confidence and positive coping strategies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide the child with positive and enriching experiences which reflect the child’s interests and introduce them to new experiences. This helps the child express their individual preferences in a safe supportive space while developing them socially and broadening their skills.

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

Staff understand the child’s identified risks and what actions they need to take to keep them safe. Risk assessments and support plans provide clear guidance for staff about how they should respond . Staff benefit from the professional learning they receive. This Inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 4 ensures that the safeguarding culture in the home is reflected in the child’s day-to-day care.

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

The frequency of safeguarding incidents and risk-taking behaviours has decreased, reflecting the positive impact of the support and interventions that are now provided. When incidents do occur, managers and staff deal with them well. They respond appropriately to ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing. Staff engage in reflective practice following incidents to consider what worked well and any areas for further improvement. This indicates improved safety and risk management in the home and supports continued professional development around safety.

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

Room searches are appropriately initiated in response to safeguarding concerns, reflecting a proportionate and responsive approach to keep the child safe. Staff ensure the child is aware when searches take place and follow this up with reflective work so that the child learns from them. This supports positive risk management and safeguarding expectations.

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

Safer recruitment systems are in place to ensure that staff working with children are suitable. Leaders complete the necessary recruitment checks before staff start work. There have been several occasions when concerns relating to staff practice have been identified. These concerns have been appropriately and promptly addressed by the manager. Investigations have taken place with appropriate action and follow-up, including any learning for staff. Despite this, on some occasions, Ofsted was not notified of significant safeguarding concerns and leaders did not consult with the local authority designated officer. This undermines effective safeguarding oversight and limits independent scrutiny and accountability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been significant changes to the leadership of the home. The new responsible individual and manager are both enthusiastic, child focused and committed to improving outcomes for children. They have a clear understanding of the shortfalls and challenges that the home has experienced but also of the home’s strengths. Leaders have taken prompt action to address areas for development to drive forward the improvements required to improve the quality of care delivered to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have recruited new staff to improve the team and provide the child with consistency. This has helped increase stability for the child and supports the development of trusting relationships. The child is benefiting from greater continuity of care, which enables a better understanding of their needs. This has contributed to improved outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers respectfully and effectively challenge external professionals when necessary to ensure that they understand, and appropriately meet, the child’s needs. They are positive advocates for the child and work collaboratively with partner agencies to secure the right support and services. This professional curiosity and constructive challenge help promote positive outcomes. Inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 5 Staff feedback is positive, describing a supportive and collaborative working environment. They report feeling valued by managers, who provide them with meaningful professional learning opportunities. This has developed a stable and experienced workforce. Inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the manager must have a system in place so that all serious events are notified in line with the guidance. 4 September 2026

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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: 2837095 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Spring Valley Children’s Care Home

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Independence House, Adelaide Street, Me Hub, Heywood OL10 4HF

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Inspector

Tonia Dubidat, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2837095 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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