Children's Home run by Care Today (Childrens Services) Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children’s home: 2821486 1 Registered provider: Care Today (Childrens Services) Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private organisation. 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 has been registered with Ofsted since June 2025. She holds a level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management for Children’s Residential Care.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living at the home and spoke with the inspector.

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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: 8 December 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 children's home: 2821486 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/12/2025 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2821486 3

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Summary of findings

Children receive individualised care that helps them make good progress and develop strong, trusting relationships with staff. They feel safe, valued and listened to; benefit from stable placements, and make positive progress in education and their independence. Risks are well understood and managed through effective safeguarding practice, helping children to make safer choices and maintain positive relationships. The manager provides clear direction and oversight, creating a supportive environment for staff and children. Effective training, supervision and partnership working contribute to positive experiences and outcomes for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individualised care that is tailored to their specific needs. As a result, they make good progress from their starting points and benefit from positive experiences that support their development and well-being. Children benefit from structured routines and consistent care from staff who know them well. This promotes stability and helps them to develop trusting relationships with the adults caring for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff place a strong emphasis on developing positive and trusting relationships with children. These relationships help children to feel safe, valued and emotionally secure. Children speak positively about the staff who care for them and can identify trusted adults whom they can approach for advice, support and guidance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience a strong sense of belonging and benefit from stability. One child has expressed a wish to remain living in the home rather than move to a foster placement. This demonstrates the child's sense of security, attachment and connection to the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are actively sought and taken seriously by staff. They are encouraged to contribute to decisions about their lives and, when appropriate, advocates are sought to support them to express their views and challenge decisions made by other services. This ensures that children’s voices remain central to care planning and decision-making processes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in education. The manager and staff have developed positive relationships with education providers that supports children's attendance, engagement and achievement. Effective partnership working helps to ensure that children receive consistent support to reach their educational potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop age-appropriate independence skills that prepare them for adulthood. Individualised support enables children to make progress in line with their developmental needs and helps them build the confidence and practical skills required for greater independence. Inspection report children's home: 2821486 4

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

Children’s risks and behaviours are well identified, understood and effectively managed by staff. Detailed risk assessments provide clear guidance and are regularly reviewed to ensure that children receive appropriate support and protection that reflects their changing needs and circumstances.

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

The manager and staff engage regularly with children to help them understand and manage risks in their lives. Through ongoing discussions and guidance, children are supported to make safer and more informed decisions, promoting their welfare and well- being.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. This reflects the positive relationships that children have with staff and the effectiveness of the support provided to keep children safe.

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

Staff respond promptly, appropriately and sensitively when children hurt themselves. Staff have received relevant training, which equips them with the knowledge and skills required to provide effective support and reduce the likelihood of further incidents.

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

Staff have a good understanding of children’s friendships and relationships, including those that may present risks. Children are provided with appropriate guidance and support to help them develop and maintain safe and healthy relationships.

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

Staff respond appropriately to conflicts involving children and their friends. Information is shared promptly with relevant agencies and professionals, promoting effective multi- agency working and ensuring that risks are managed in a coordinated and timely manner. This helps to keep children safe.

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

Children’s behaviour is managed effectively and in a manner that promotes positive outcomes. Staff regularly use praise and positive reinforcement to encourage socially acceptable behaviour and positive decision-making. Consequences are used infrequently and only when necessary, helping children to understand the impact of their actions while maintaining positive relationships with staff.

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

Effective measures are in place to reduce online risks. Staff provide children with consistent guidance and support to help them understand the potential dangers associated with technology and social media. This promotes safer online behaviour and increases children's awareness of how to protect themselves.

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

Relationships between children living in the home are positive. Staff support children to resolve disagreements constructively and promote a respectful and harmonious living environment. As a result, children live together safely and benefit from positive peer relationships. Inspection report children's home: 2821486 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is ambitious for children and has established a clear vision for the home. She is committed to ensuring that children receive high-quality care and support. Staff understand and share this vision, which contributes to a consistent approach to meeting children's needs and improving their experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a realistic and comprehensive understanding of the home's strengths and areas for development. Effective monitoring systems help her identify priorities for improvement and maintain oversight of the quality of care provided to children. Clear plans are in place to further enhance children's experiences, including continued development of the home's garden.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Through her regular presence in the home, the manager maintains a good understanding of children's experiences, progress and outcomes. This allows her to respond quickly to issues as they arise and ensure that children continue to receive appropriate support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they feel well supported and valued by managers. Regular supervision and annual appraisals provide opportunities for reflection, professional challenge and development. These arrangements help staff remain focused on achieving positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held fortnightly and provide valuable opportunities for reflective discussion, shared learning and communication. This promotes consistency in practice and ensures that staff remain informed about children's needs and developments within the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to a broad range of training opportunities, including face-to-face courses, online learning, mentoring and workshops. This helps staff to understand their roles and responsibilities and equips them with the skills and knowledge required to meet the diverse needs of the children living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report children's home: 2821486 6

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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 children's home: 2821486 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Care Today (Childrens Services) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd, Floor Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road, STOCKPORT, Cheshire SK2 6LR

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Inspector

Helen Dunn, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2821486 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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